The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-07-09


religious liberty. They laid siege to Leyden- Its IN,
bab;t.nts wire sworn to defend it to the last, and well
did thew fulfll their pledge. Sending all away who
could not aid in the defence, but would consume the
means of life, they held on till the sword, the famine
and pestilence had laid nearly half Of their numbers
low. and the remainder were but shadows. When
william the Silent, Prince of Orange, as . last and
perilous resort, pierced the dykes, letting IN the sea,
thus driving OF the invaders and desolating the coun-
try at a stroke.
The Prince. in gratitude to the citizens for their
memorable and resolute defence, offered to them per-
petual exemption from ertain taxes or the establish
ment of a university. Unitedly and with one voice
thew chose the latter, and hence arose the celebrated
University of Leyden. This is the voice OF history,
and if we mark its events we shall not fail to note
that the progress of education has always kept pace
with the advancement of civil and religious freedom
They cannot long exist without it, and it will not at
tain a vigorous growth without them. EoD twenty
years I have been familiar with the progress OF events
here, and most of the trustees for o longer period, and
we, in common with many others, feel that this msti-
tuition is needed, not to the exclusion of others-they
tor are needed, and the establishment of this on a frm
basis will of itself tend to give permanency to subor-
dinate schools as preparatory to it and create them If
need be-whereas, if this fails, the primary and pre-
paratory schools will be likely to have only an ephe-
neral and ftful existence.
To complete the academic course, all Of our young
men who thirst after the acquisition of science, must
be transplanted to other lands and who does not know
that such a result will be death to this! The estab-
lishment of the college will tend to give stability and
permanency to al. of the social interests of the king
dom, and correspondingly advance every other inter-
est that is dear to society.
With these views I deeui il of unspeakable impor-
lance, and.I know they are in sympathy with those OF
a large number of good men here and elsewhere l
should be sorry to feel that the college had the i'll will
of any one. Said the late beloved and lamented Chief
Justice Lex himself a trustee) to me one day, g Oahu
8 College l. almost the only bright spot can see in
the future CT this nations He said that he him
self was willing to become responsible for one scholar
ship ($50O). With such feelings you may judge
that any remarks from any source tending to defeat
this enterprise would give pain to its many friends
who have labored for it hopefully, and in the full be-
lief that much of the future prosperity of these
islands depended upon it.
A few words in reference to facts. The officers of
the Institution are not men who are dependent for
place, upon any sort of manouvering ,or who would ac-
cept any position obtained for them through such p
process if they were cognizant of it. Their services
were sought earnestly as L know, having been a mem
Der of the first committee appointed by the Executive
Board of the Trustees to secure the services of the
President. 1t was known to every member of the
committee that he had irrevocably made up his mind
to leave the Royal School, and his plans were being
laid for a return to the o. States. With these facts
before them, they extended to him the invitation which
was finally. but not hastily accepted. The subsequent
call to his brother was alike unanimous. There was
no electioneering, no unfair action, which might not
see the monday sun. The officers are men whose
words do not belle their action las all who know them
will testify.
As to the trustees, there is no one who has ever,
during my connection with the body, exercised any
predominating or over-shadowing influence. There
are none, as 1 believe, who are not ready to listento
the voice of reason when consonant with the principle
of right, Gas true reason must always be,) and none
who would not vote in conformity with it. Errors
doubtless have been ommitted. In any human or
ganization it is unavoidable; but the best good has
been sought, I knoW, and no principle has been pros
tituted to expediency- If the most favorable results
have not been realized it has not been that they have
not been carefully and prayerfully sought; but they
have to as great an extent.or even greater than could
have been anticipated. Nor, practically, do believe
they have been in vain. My experience is not large,
but l speak the language of those more competent to
JoNCN '-N- NP"y sAit l. hdNC hCNSI SIT IL etlp
school as far as it has progressed. 1t has no appa-
ratus or library to speak of as yet, no endowment,
and is deficient in aid, yet these all may be secured
as l hope by the efforts of President Beckwith and Mr..
Armstrong, and l hope none in this community will
so compromise its highest interests as to exercise any
influence TO retard such a result.
= member of the Board of Trustees was sometime
since appointed to lay the subject of the college before
this community through its several papers, and will,
l presume, soon do so; but as he resides on another
island, have, under a sense of my duty to the college
and the community, though not without reluctance,
made these statements and remarks. They are more
extended than l anticipated, but you will oblige me
by their insertion, and if they shall disabuse the pub
lie mind of any erroneous impressions as to facts, 1
shall feel amply repaid. Yours, &C.,
S. N. CASTLE.
Honolulu, 4th July. 1857.