Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-05-22
CHE polpnesian.


matter crowdng our columns, it has been omitted
till the present time.
Since 1t was IN type, we have received the New
York independent, of the lst of January, contain
ing the article subjoined, which speaks to points
agitated in this community for few months past
The arguments are, in the main, such as have i'm
pressed thinking men in all countries. They were
conclusive in striking out " from the new consti
tuition of New York the clause disquaifying cler-
gymen, and from % of the 81 States of the Amer
ican Union the same distinctive article. Neither
does such article exist in the constitution of the
UNITED STATES, as might be inferred from the ar
guments used in defense of such an article here.
For The Polyncslan
The article disqualfying Ciergymen from hold
ing seat an the Legislature.
Mr.. EDIToR,-l wish to say few words by
way of explanation on the subject of the rejected
article in the New Constitution. As motives have
been impeached, q do not mean by Mr. WylEe) it
is but fair that the writer and his brethren should
be allowed to justify the views they have taken on
this subject.
| confess have felt deep interest in the issue
of this questlon,-not from any personal interest
which [ have in its issue,-but from the deep inter-
est feel in the principle involved give Mr.
Wyllie full credit for sincerity and good intentions
in the zeal he has manifested on his side of the
question: and, trust, he will accord the same to
those who opposed to his views. My own
views have been freely expressed in your paper in
the English language, but conscience has reproved
me for not having taken more pains to enlighten
the nItive mind on the subject, especially since
one of my own church officers in the legislature,
with whom am in daily intercourse, voted against
my own views. Not a word had been spoken to
him. or in his hearing on the subject by his pastor
My opposition to the article and the opposition
of my clerical brethren so far as known is not on
the ground of its practical bearing on themselves
This has not the ght of straw on my own mind
Indeed, should feel not the slightest objection
changing the word clergymen, which is ambiguous
to pastor,-to adopting similar prohibition in the
clerical association with which | am connected.
The advocates of this article cannot feel greater
repugnance to clergymen's engaging in political
strife, when no great moral question is involved,
than the writer of this article and his brethren
Nor is the principle of injustice in the article,
our mqin objection, though strong one, depriving,
as it does worthy class of subjects of privileges
granted 10 all Others except criminals and bank
ruptS.
Nor is the stigma, which the article atfixes on
clergymen, saying on It's very face that they SO
selfish and unprincipled, that they cannot be in
/ trusted with political power; loafers, gamblers,
rum-sellers, proane swearrrs may be- but not cler-
| rymen-I say. this is not the greatest objection.
Nor is the implied sanction which it gives to the
calumny which has been SO freely cast upon cer-
gvmen at the Islands for exerting u legitimate po-
| litcal influence, which makes the article SO dear
to all missionary opposers, the greatest objection
These, remark though grave objections, involve
not the great objection, which bears with most
weight on my own mind.
| In my view the article encroacheS upon princi-
pie of the utmost importance in every secular go
vernment, principle which has cost the world
centuries of strife, persecution and bloodshed to
bring out and perfect refer to the non interference
of the state with clergymen and religious people,
mereyas such. Let no laws be made which shal!
apply to them merely as religious men. If this
principle had been adhered to by all the political
powers of the EARTH how much OPPRESSION cruelty
and bloodshed would have been saved
Some have advocated this article, on the ground
of the evils, which, past ges, have resulted from
lcomminolinp the powers of church and state This
is the very ground on which | would oppose the
article 1t is the control, which the state has as
sumed over religion, taken advantage of by some
system of religious Journalism, which has produced
all the mischief. Let religion stand on its own
basis untammeled by the state, and its fruits will
be righteousness, peace and good will to man.
Depart from this principle, is done in this arti-
Gle, and you pave the way for all the forms of re
gious oppression and ersecution which have ever
dsgraced the world ;no that they will Immediately
follow on the adoption of this article, but this is
the first step in the process and every succeeding
STEP may be justified on the same principles as this
first step.
can easily see why Mr.. Wyle, trained under
a system of government which does not recognise
this principle of non interference, should entertain
different views on this subject from the descendants
of the pilgrims, who landed on Plymouth rock, and
who have drunk in with their mothers milk love
for this principle, and who watch, with jealous
scrutiny. any approach to its infringement
Mr.. Wyllie will, therefore excuse the writer and
his brethren for any zeal they may have manifest
ed on this subject 1t is of the utmost Importance.
that this little kingdom should set out right on
this great question.
make these remarks not to provoke further
controversy, but to exonerate myself and brethren
from the charge of sinister motives, or the desire
of political power. Il. w. CLARK.
Honolulu, May 3, 1859.
CHURCH AND SrATE.-A secular journal of this
city, which will be sufficiently indicated to our
readers by the fact that it habiually uses slang
phraseology for wit and argument, attempts to stg
matze the recent address of the Congregational
Ministers of New York and Brooklyn" to Cover
nor Kossuth, as {. Church and State " movement.
1t is not worth while to reply to charge SO unin-
teligent but it may serve as the occasion for say
ing word upon the rights and duties of ministers
of the Gospel as citizens. The part of the address
which has most alarmed the journal referred to, is
that in which the ministers pledge their earnest
endcavors to procure such action the part OF this
country toward Hungary as shlll be consistent
with the great rule of loving neighbor as our
selves. This, says the journll, is a pledge un-
usual for ministers of the Gospel in this country"
What lamentable ignorance of the history of the
ministry in New England and at the period of the !
revolutionary war, does this sentence betray! But
let that pass. The only point worth regarding is
the implication in this charge that ministers of the