The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-03-31
TIE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY, r 81.

4 -
Ii our last weeks regular issue we exposed to
public attention the fact that the principal Min
isterial measure of the day in the Sandwich
Islands is to force Rum down the Threats OF the
people, and hasten the extinction of the remnant
of a once noble and numerous race. That our
structures were just, our arguments well founded,
and our assertions in regard to ministerial respon-
sibility in the wicked scheme strictly true, is very
evident from the manner in which Z" the CALLED
jade winces'' in last Saturdays issue OF the gov
eminent organ. The writer commences by insin-
uating that our article was { written to order,
and then goes on TO show in the most conclusive
manner that such was the case with his own.
1t is indeed difficult to imagine of any one, out
side the Ministry and their paid advocates, who
could be found sufficiently deaf TO reason and lost
to the feelings of humanity as to cooliy argue for
free rum in Hawaii nei, and deny that 1T will
surely sweep the race into perdition-beg to apply
the torch to ones dwelling, and at the sam time
endeayor to prove that fire won't burn, or if it
does, it won't do any harm,
We have heretofore, in speaking OF this sub
ject, used the general term the Ministry and
have laid at their door the responsibility, before
God and man-of this proposed liquor measure.
DuC WIllIc Tic tACCuli'C
advocating the removal of the tabu, the Minister
of Finance has gained for himself an unenviable
prominence as the father-or at all events-the
public advocate, of the obnoxious measure. a
good lawyer and a man of quick perception and
generally clear Judgment, Mr.. Gregg has never
theless had too short an experience among the
Hawaiian people to enable him TO properly UNDER
stand them, and his arguments in favor OF giving
them the glorious privilege of buying and
selling rum are proof positive of this.
If we are rightly informed, it was he, who in
the Code COMMITTEES, first moved to insert the
section removing the tabu. And yet the Minis
terial organ asks, .. Who are those Ministerial
cares. or rather ivhol IS then head that that Journal
seeks to corer ruth such undeser0ed infamy?"
Whoever wrote that article knew the facts IN the
case as well as the public, and evidently sought
to dissemble the truth, in making the inquiry
a. Is it not a scion of the House of Kamehameha,
a Hawaiian. a patiye born % or else seeks TO con-
vey the idea that the Minister of Finance is ga
native born"-than which nothing can be more
remote from truth, inasinuch as he has not even
taken the oath of allegiance to the sovereign I'M
der whom he serves. As to what Prince Lots
views are on the subject, the public are ignorant,
no report of any speech by him thereon having
been promulgated, and we believe he has taken
no more active part in the proposed measure than
to make or second motions.
Not SO, however, with Mr.. Gregg, for in the
House of Mobiles on the 18th of January last, in
discussing the action of the Representatives on
the Civil Code, whereby the Introduction on
spirits was continued, we find his platform clearly
laid down. Neither of the other Ministers APP
- H.. have lad tho faroarify IN soft thp hall in
motion, but modestly left the dirty job to the
Minister of Finance. From America came let
tiers. light and religion-we regret to record that
from an American came the proposition to undo
all that has been done in Hawaiian civilization
and christianization On the occasion referred
to, Mr.. Gregg is reported to have said that he
-.opposei the amendment Of the House o n constitutional
grounds. IL proposed a species Of class legislation, inconsistent
with the principles upon which the Government was founded.
Fading ideas OF the CONSUMPTION OF 1852. To sustain this view
he cited several articles, particularly the first and fourteenth,
the latter Of which declared i'm express terms, that in making
laws for the nation regard should be had to the protection, in
but Of an the people alike" How, he inquired, could a regard
for the protection and welfare Of ~an the people ahke' be said
ent classes Of subjects, The first section expressly recognized
= = eg House nea am s%Gng pr a. asfH1'e denied a ny that right ! The h
amendment Of the lower House established a distinction of
jects, denying to the former what was CONCEDED to the latter it
assume, that native, o. The kingdom were no. % Q trus'ed with
The matter OF policy had no legitimate bearing upon the discus
| sion it was simply a question Of constitutionality- In his view
Il was plain that IL the privilege to sell liquors was conceded to
| naturaiized subjects. the legislature could not exclude native
Hawaiians from the same privilege. Both classes were placed
by the Constitution upon the same broad platform, which was
beyond the reach Of legislative adjustment Mr.. Gregg said
there vas an Incidental question Of some importance which de-
served consideration, but as It was likely to come up more d.
rectly hereafter he would reserve his comments in regard to it.
| The right Of making police regulations to control the sale Of in
toxicating drinks was, he thought, uDquesfionable but, at the
same time, his opinion was equally clear, that we could not by
such regulations make our laws and treaties a dead letter.
Other parties were concerned, and We were bound to pay a Cue
respect to their interests Aside from the constitutional and
legal points involved, there was an important question OF policy
| which addressed itself to the native Hawaiians OF both Houses.
Ithey voted to sustain the amendment, did they not thereby
declare themselves the interiors q their fellow subjects Of foreign
birth, He hoped they would pause before they made d declar-
alton Of this Kind in the face Of the world. seIf-respect was ne
Government desired 70 be supported by foreign nations, in its
Independence, IL must exhibit those traits which are everywhere
deemed the marks OF capacity for sei fgovernmentn
We have quoted the whole of Mr.. Gregg's
remarks-on the occasion alluded to, in order that
his views might be fairly put before the public.
The courss of reasoning made use of, it will be
seen, ~thoroughly establishes the position which
NO a1vumedy vfs that the Minister Of Finance i
too much q p Hawaiian history-is faz
too unfamilfe5 E peculiar idiosyncraciel