The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-08-26
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. AUGUST %.

\ Al CSI 20
WHES MAHoxEr had for MANY wears endeav-
ored to propagate his imposture among his fell
low-citizenN and instead of gaining any number
of proselytes, found his ambition frustrated and
his notions ridiculed he forbade his followers
the use of argument and disputation in the adj
vancing of his doctrines, and TO rely only upon
the cimeter for their success When a pub
lie paper, and that paper established by govern
ment to defend its principles and its Ministry
SO far forgets its functions as to abandon the de-
Tense of its patrons, and condescends to utter petty
personalities in the absence of legitimate argu-
ment. wherewith to shield their acknowledged
erroneous acts-that fact alone is a pretty certain
Indication that their cause is indefensibie and
will not bear the light of truth to be cast on it.
A paper so conducted, resembles "a ~prize-fghter
in the ring, under process of punishment. Groggy
and with whirling head, he strikes at random and
wide of the mark, and it is evident to all observ-
ers that. for ali practical purposes. he is COM
pletely hors du combat.
The government organ, unfortunately for itself
and the cause it has so gallantly served, is placed
in the same position. 1t says: :. Mr.. Wyllie, the
man. is not liked by the Adrertiser." Neither
the last editorial nor any in the previous issues of
THIS Journal has Ddu 8DoTu W sdN MI
Willie as "a man. As such he stands now
where he has always stood. As a politician, we
have attacked him, because his political acts are
open to unqualified censure. AS a politician, we
believe that nine-tenths of the community are
opposed to him. The articles that have appeared
in this journal have been purely political, nor has
an expression been made use of one whit mere
severe than a long string that appeared in a GER
tain dispatch from the American Legation some
two years ago, and headed, if we remember
Alright, No. l07, the author of which despatch
is now associated with the Minister in the Cab
met Council. We are not aware that any of the
gentlemen who contribute to the columns of this
paper, are under obligations TO Mr.. Wyllie; but
if they are, We doubt not that at the proper time
they will make an acknowledgement as marked as
the favors which they have received.
There are times when it behooves the public
press to speak with boldness and 10 reiterate
truths. which, though apparent as the sunlight,
require but the stamp of public approval tosgive
them that weight and authority which their i'm
p~ortance demands. In public affairs, as too
often in private, we are apt TO listen to the voice
of some syren till the nobler faculties of our ma
ture become transformed, and we are changed
into the creatures of Imagination. To know cor
rectly our position and to act with boldness when
action is demanded of us, should be the aim of
governments as well as of individuals.
We are not worst at once-the course OF evil
Begins so slowly and from such slight source,
An infants hand might stem its breach with clay;
But Les the stream get deeper, and all
The power Of man shall strive in vain
To turn the headlong torrent"
We have, in late numbers of our Journal, as
ahmed that the prnepecfs of m ooupfrr ora far I
from Hattering-that our financial condition is in
an unhealthy state-that our diplomatic relations
with a powerful nation have become almost mex
tricably involved-and finally that, in a measure,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible for
the loss of self-respect we, as a nation, may have
to submit to, arising from the present condition
of our political affairs. If such be the case-if
our finances are on the verge of bankruptcy-if
our diplomacy is becoming a public disgrace to
instead of gaining respect at home and
abroad, our government is only losing it, there !
must be a cause, and it becomes all, from the
highest to tn lowest, to inquire honestly what
are the reasons.
We have taken the position and maintain that
the Minister of Foreign Affairs is at fault, and
that on him must rest, in a measure, the odium
that attaches to the present disorder. 1t is some
years since he was invited to participate
in the government councils, and whatever good
may have been derived from his counsel in the
earlier years of his administration, that good has
long ceased to flow from it, and the public have
long ceased to look for it. We have no wish to
detract one iota from that need Of praise, if any,
may Justly belong to him but when the pol
icy which he has endeavored to carry out is hon.
estly weighed, no unbiased mind will hesitate to
it. IF the interests of state demand that
policy be changed, no personal considerations
should be allowed to outweigh them.
The whole weight of his influence has invaria-
bly, been to foster and create an imaginary show
and extravagance in our government, which,
however adapted to European society, il slto-