The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-01-01
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.


ilized world as one OF suspicious omen. Even III
China, new years day, though not the same in the
calendar as ours, is celebrated as a day Of universal
joy by her hundreds of millions. With an almost
imperceptible flight, eighteen hundred and ffty-six
has glided by, and is among the things of the past,
while eighteen hundred and fifty seven hastens us
along its track, whether prepared for it or not. There
is nothing stationary, but all is changing. The
truant school boy, who flies his musical kite, the
young man cngrossed in a world of business, and the
aged who feels that each successive new years day
but adding gray ha' rs to his already whitened locks
all alike are h~urrying along over the same path to
the anne goal, and happy indeed is he who amid the
trihes of youth, the cares of manhood, or the evening
of age can find time to treasure up the words and
act the part of wisdom.
Although this journal is but six months old to-day,
we presume to have a familiar talk with our readers
on its past, present and future. When 1t was
rumored, twelve months or more ago, that an nde-
pendent Journal was to be established here, the idea
was ridiculed by others as well as the government
Journal as q fool-hardy attempt, in which no man
would dare to risk either his reputation or his purse,
so completely fettered or monopolized had all literary
enterprises become in this kingdom, that the idea of
success was not to be entertained attending any new
enterprise of the kind, unless stamped with the seal of
state anu issued uflief fOyal laNOf ana Dy dulnOf-
ity.'' The history Of previous unfortunate newspaper
enterprises here was held up to caution or intimidate
whoever might presume to venture on the task. 1t
was contended also that there were not readers
enough in the kingdom to support a second journal,
that the stereotyped weekly issue from the govern
ment press was all that was needed by a slow people,
such as we of Hawaii nei were reputed to be; that
if another journal was started it would only be sup
,O+oI l., - cn,n1I racku ~, oI1,no ryho InJ Ioao,oo
Disguised with the only paper then existing, and it
would be a sort of catch-penny concern.
1t was among such opposing elements that the
Commercial .4drertiser was established solely by
private enterprise and means, and the patronage of
a liberal and intelligent public asked for its support.
Though the first number was issued with some mis-
givings on the part of its publisher as to whether
what had been promised could be carried out, and
such a paper maintained here as was needed, yet
when the response came from every part of the king
dom and even from foreign countries, that it was the
paper needed and should be supported, we had every
encouragement asked for. From a small list of about
200 names, we have gradually increased till now VIC
require and dispose of an edition of about 1000 copies
each week to supply the demand for subscribers and ex-
changes. That this success has been entirely unex-
pected, we need hardly say. 1t assures us that our
efforts have been understood, and will be seconded by
the foreign community of the islands, community
we may add in passing, whose intelligence and fond
ness for news is not cqualled by any in any other
portion of the globe.
The Commercial .4dUertiser was not established,
nor has it been conducted as an opposition paper to
the government, but only as independent of it's con-
troll. Nor has the first line of d~isloyalty to our
Sovereign ever appeared in its columns. 1t has,
however, been opposed to the blind, one-sided policy
of ministers, where it has honestly deemed that policy
fraught with evil to the public veal, and it viii con-
tinue to oppose it. whenever and wherever the hydra
head Of personal ambition shows itself on the surface
of public affairs, even though old Pele should open
her fires under our office. Any journal that expects
to exist here must possess some independence, or very
soon become q party or ministerial organ, bribed
into the support of every new official scheme, cor
rupted itself and the corrupter of public morals.
For the very liberal support received thus far We
most cordially thank our patrons, and assure them
that our constant effort will be to render this journal
worthy Of their continued support. We shall endeavOr
to improve it as the wants of the public may indicate.
To this end we have purchased a large power printing
press, which ought to be here before the second
volume is commenced, and which will enable us to
print a paper of any size wanted, and issue it semi
W eekly if required, with very little more expense than
Is now required Iof pruning tnlS Sneet. Inc power
press will cost here about $4,000 ; but for these and
other improvements and necessary OUTLAWS we must
ask a continuance of the support we have received.
Whenever we are enabled to enlarge our sheet, we
intend to have an agricultural department, and shall
publish articles designed to promote the introduction
and cultivation of new staple products. All we can
do at present with our limited space is TO give an
occasional scrap or communication on agriculture.
That this Journal has done any good thus far, we
will not presume to claim ; but all experience shows
that the tendency of a conservative journal is every
where to promote industry and thrift, and encourage
a thirst for learning and general literature. 1t is
the handmade of the professional man, the courier of
the merchant, the instructor and companion of the
farmer and laborer, and the bulwark and defense of
all liberal institutions. 1t also adds more to the
reputation of any nation to see a substantial and reia-
BILE publication supported by the industry of its bust
ness community, instead of by its public funds.
Presidential Election i'm the United States.
The election for President and Vice-President of the
United States, which took place on the 4th of Noven-
Der, was the eighteenth in the series since the adop-
ton of the federal constitution. The choice is made
by electoral colleges, each college representing 8 State
and comnriSin0 rs many memherS aS the number of