The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-08-20

SIR Among the articles written in disparagement
of Oahu College, with which the late papers have
teemed, there is one idea perseveringly set forth
which l propose to notice.
1t is said that the Oahu College was instituted at
the sacrifice of two excellent schools. 1t is very true
that the Royal and Punahou schools, were suspended
at about that time, but it is palpable injustice to
ascribe their NONCOMPLIANCE to the scheme for found
ing a college; the following are my reasons for assert
ing this.
LIST. Mr.. E. G. Beckwith resigned his post as teach
er of the Royal School, before he was invited to locate
himselfat Punahou, his plans for immediate departure
had been matured, and a number of his most advanced
scholars had designed to 60 with him. The much
harped ON idea of Mr. Beckwith's abandoning the
Royal School for Punahou, was originated by those
who are hostile to him and to the College, who COM
prise, it is said, nine-tenths of this community.
Furthermore, had Mr.. IS services not ZEN retained,
the present teacher of the Royal School build proba-
bly, never have left New England.
End. Let US glance at Punahou just before the
IS flourish of trumpets.' Out of about SO scholars whe
there received tuition free, 10 had left to attend the
Royal School, and others were chatting with discomfort
and impotence; more would have left. The school
was declining, the American Board wanted it off their
hands, dissolution was before it. On the one hand,
the continuance of the r. School would have been its
ruin, and on the other, on Mr.. E. G. Beckwith's
return to the States, many would have followed him,
and of those who might have remained, quite a
number had determined never to return to Punahou.
The Trustees, as one of them has informed me,
were convinced that the American Board were un-
willing to sustain the school much longer, as it then
was. but would assist in building up a College from
it; and nothing short Of q College. The name of
Collegiate Institute was talked Of among the Trus-
tees, but they were - that this would not be
acceptable to the projectofsS&Senterprise.
Nothing can be more apparent than mat thu chool
at Punahou would have been given up, had N s1he
College enterprise been carried out. As early ~
1851, before Mr.. Beckscith's arrival, he re-
ceived a commission to collect funds for an endow-
ment for Punahou, when Mr.. Castle left, intending
to visit the United States. The project had already
been started, and after Mr.. Beckwith had resided here
for some time, a man was fixed upon who should fiji
the Office of President; he could not leave. however,
on account of his family diigent search was after
wards instituted, and the subject was before the
Oriental Society at New Haven. A DIR. Hawes was
proposed but he also could not leave. Finally Mr..
E. g. Beckwith was induced With kreat difficulty to
accept the Presidency.
1t must be most obvious to s., except to the ner-
1865 49, OonN SOAicKS AS u harmless IO9C-
tuition. 1t never deprived any foreign or native
child of an educational privilege, and has conferred
many. 1t claims not Gent from the funds devoted
BY this Govern educational purposes, and is
to be end0psd mostly. if not all, by the friends Of
Dsducation in another part of the world. Il maintains
no political creed. and its religion will not tend to
foster the vices of the nation. The present relentless
opposition which it suffers, cannot proceed from the
ostensible motivess else, why did it not appear two
years ago. when the enterprise was first attempted
why. ask, has been this delay; Why this waiting 10
attack two men when they cannot defend themselves
l see no explanation, but in the shallowness Of the
motives which at present produce such i. bns.rac-
about the = National College, and then about the
sProfestant National College, Tor : vail for Catho.
licism; y when We hear that We have just the r;pbt
men for . College. but that one isn't needed. and
then that q College is well enough, but Chat ve
havn't the right men.
The argument of the opposition is wanting in CON.
slstency. One asks where is the meter;., g.
College 3 and argues that there is non. OF conr.s
then, IT must fail; if its fate is so certain. wbv r.
nsaa.n ABOUT Nationality, Professionalism or Mr.
Ooles departure what harm can the first ivo a.
ana had not Mr.. Dole better find some uorsl csr. 49, !;
employments The same or another considers this ~
Important mattei-this Collcge-assumes : i;oht 3
enquire into it, Processes great interest. and ,Kenss !
nave It managed As . national College should -
WY tIUuole yourself. my dear sir, il you know 4
your curiosity or luminosity and let the NOR :. hsst .
q on easy, lit 10 true that there Is mo ,nsts~;.l
lor toe college II is just IS true that the Collece III
3. ana nee versa Il Is true also, the mater;sl -.
NV % created or Destroyed by newspaper agency.