The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-07-14
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
JULY IA.

IT is singular how ignorant some persons are,
who have opportunities to gain correct intorma-
ton, and who are expected to know at least as
much as is contained in elementary school books.
A late number of the New York Herald, in COM
menting on the religious revival in that city, In
connection with the anniversaries of religious
societies, took occasion to say that notwithstand-
ing all the efforts made to civilize the people of
the Sandwich Islands, {" they tcere more demoraI-
lied nog than rChen an a state of oannibaism.
We do not find a copy of the paper containing
the remark, and rely for the correctness of the
quotation on the report of another paper in
which we find it quoted. The ignorance of
the Editor of the Herald is about on a par with
that of a London city Journal which two or three
years ago gave the particulars of an incident,
said by it to have occurred in the city of Massa-
chusetts in the State of Long Island.
The above quotation contains two gross mis-
atemen LIST. The people OF these islands
never were in a state of cannibahSm; at least no
traces of it have ever been discovered. Had it
ever existed, their traditions would have con-
veyed some distinct or indistinct illusions TO it.
That there are cannibals in the Pacific. we all
know, but because some are such, is no reason
why all the tribes of this ocean should be classed
together.
2d.-Tbe Sandwich Islanders are not moro
dehoralized now than when they were discov-
cred, which we judge to be the time referred to
by the Herald. If we are to judge of their civil
lization by the anne rule that we would apply to
any American or European people, they occupy
no mean position. 1t is a fact which is beyond
dispute that a greater proportion of the adult
native Sandwich Islanders can read and write
than any large city in the United States or
Europe can show-New York, Boston or London
not excepted. This is too well known to
need proof. That they have not attained to that
degree of social civilization. which prevails in
America and Europe, we will not attempt to
deny. But that they are elevated far above their
former condition is as apparent as the light of
the sun. immortality and vice exist here. and so
they do in New York city. But because they do
thus exist in New York, and because no reforma-
tory measures can cure them, would it not be
falsehood for n Londoner to say that New York
is more demoralized than Canton in China?
That efforts are being made to demoralize the
Sandwich Island people and to make them ..more
demoralized now than when" in their former
state, by the introduction and legalizing of the
idolatrous huLas, We all admit. But at the SAINT
time, it should be stated that these efforts are
being counteracted by the unanimous public
voice and by the public press, except only such
as serve as hirelings to their masters. That the
remarks of the Herald may one of these days
become verified, depends in a great measure on
the persistency of those who have determined
that the hulas shall be established, even if the
whole nation is sacrificed in the effort.
In the report of the anniversary of the Amer
lean Board in New York in May, we notice with
pleasure that Mr. Charles Dana, formerly of this
place, whom many of our readers will remember,
made some remarks, in which he took occasion 10
contradict what the New York Herald had said
about these islands. We quote from the Oh
serreT
Mr.. Charles Dana, formerly a banker at Homo
lulu, Sandwich Islands, and a layman, being acct
dentally present among the audience, was invited
by the presiding officer to say something in reply TO
The newspaper Islander just read. Mr.. Dana came
forward, and, with promptness and great energy,
said the statements made about the Sandwich Is
lands he personally knew to be mean and false.
He had no interest in missions beyond what any
gentleman should have, and he didn't get his living
by missionary labors- He wished he did He had
heard these ISLANDERS before about the missionaries,
but knew they were false. They worked harder than
he did. and harder than their slanderers.
The trouble, he said, is not with the missiona-
res Ils Win ID people whose vices ana DAD con-
duct the missionaries interfere with. Commerce, while
il carries blessings, often carries disease and moral
death. He said it gave him great pleasure to speak
in behalf of the humble lives and devotion of the
missionaries TO religion. The condition of the Islands
is better than some portions Of the Union, more
people could read than in ONE of the Southern
States. Pistols and bowie-knives were not need
ed at the islands.
" Certainly, something has been done to change
these people so much since the days of Capt. Cook.
Some persons are apt to think those who eat with
their fingers and wear but two or three garments
are hesthens. The Barons Of England once did
the same thing 1t is no evidence, because all sleep
in one room, there is no virtue. Because we divide
our house into numerous apartments, Is rather the
sign of q want Of it
"Mr. Dana said the people Of the islands keep the
Sabbath better than we do. The American Consul
once wanted to journey on the Sabbath, but The na-
t;vea refused to 90 with him. They are eaRsf sfer
l;ouor. but the Government refuses to permit II to b
Did and they only get it Of Americans. whose evil
nr.cticcs they think must be gocd ones and 20 they
s-;tste Them. He had heard more ISLANDERS about
- seoDle Of the islands than shout any ether
co.vfrvI Il 3 mean and basosh b said, p si5fy such
- .en 8 he missionaries. Who xcsx % nsrd ana
- soc8 ! nfcerSbls pittanee- Civilization I'M
~uves but exfsruipases the sayege Capt, go
I'D 100000 natives ~ - ; epiy Es02s