The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1856-12-25
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY, 25

Two HUNDRED and thirty-seven years ago there
landed on the barren and rocky coast of New England
a band Of exile patriots, who had fed from old
England's shores to find q land where more liberty
and freedom could be enjoyed. 1t was for personal
liberty, freedom of thought and speech, and freedom
Of conscience that they entered the then inhospitable
wilds Of America. And these they established
and guaranteed to all. Here was the germ of that
great republic, whose destiny is not yet fully devel-
oped. Among the earliest acts of these Adventures
was the appointment of an annual day of thanksgiv-
ing to the Creator, which custom has continued to
the present day throughout that republic. It's observ-
ance is enforced by no legal enactments, but it is
a voluntary bowling of thirty millions of freemen to
acknowledge the Ruler of the Universe.
It'll q day on which from distant towns and states,
separated families reassemble, and under the paternal
roof enjoy the richest feasts the land can provide.
Who that has joined around a New England thanks
giving table can ever forget the happy emotions of
that occasion?
But scarcely less universally kept in England is
her great festive day, Chrstmas,@a national holiday,
kept as such from time im%memorial, when old and
young, rich and poor, assemble around such feasts as
Providence allows to each, and bless their God, their
Sovereign and their country. II is on this day, more
than on any other, that the national anthem of ioy
and thanksgiving is sung with the freest pulse in the
cottage of the poor, the halls of the nobleman, and the
churches of the land. What Christmas is to England,
such is Thanksgiving Day to America.
Here, on a group of islands of Polynesia, which
forty years ago were almost unknown, or only spoken
Of as within the limits Of paganism, have struggled
from time to time the sons of England, Europe and
America, and brought with them the anne principles
that rule public opinion there, and that have raised
49, 800 80 - l. -.-l = II
stand. And happy is it for the Hawaiian Kingdom
that their institutions, system and policy have had so
great an influence on her, and have entered so largely
INFO the frame of her body polite.
ut was a happy thought that led his Majesty to
appoint this, the 25th Of December, as a day of ma
tional- thanksgiving and praise. To the varied classes
that compose our foreign population, we are certain
that, while a day of thanksgiving is acceptable, none
could be selected more appropriate to its object, or
more c~ongenial to the feelings of all. AS a nation
we have much to be thankful for. Our social condi-
ton has vastly improved over what it was, even but
a few years back, and within the memory Of many
now living, and our national resources are every
year becoming more developed. Peace and plenty
have ruled throughout the land, while no unusual
sickness or disease has visited us. But especially
have We to be grateful for that liberty which we
NY ""N "HhNh, w may odys HIS Dec1 CIdnS-
planted from British and American sofia liberty
based on the principles of the gospel, fashioned into
symmetry by the moulding power of Christianity
liberty which makes a man, however humble a free
man, and points him to the bible thar he may learn
to use his freedom. 1t is this liberty, as it exists
among us, impregnated with gospel principles, that
has raised this nation from a state of pagan bondage,
and insignificance to the rank she now holds among
the nations of the earth. But while there is every
reason for gratitude that our national advance has
been so great, it becomes our Sovereign and his
chiefs to hold as their motto So Upward and onward;' -
to study the wants and inclinations of their people,
to heed well the out-spoken popular voice; to seek to
develop here the same principles of government that
have led England and America to the high eminence
they hold, and not to be tempered by injudicious
counsel that may be proffered them. .
But it is as individuals that we have more special
cause for gratitude. None are above it. From our
royal Sovereign the King with his Queen, down to the
poorest OF their subjects, none are exempt from this
debt to the Creator. Misfortune and disease may
have chung to a few with cruel ~tenacity, and have
robbed them of personal comfort and ease, yet as a
general thing, prosperity, health and happiness have
been our companions during the year. Even though
the past may be checkered with its dark spots, let
these be forgotten, or only remembered to guide the
| steps of the future, for life and health alone are gifts