Polynesian., 1861-02-02

Which has prevailed the Hdlodii1n Islands for the last
forty years on the euiis that hare arisen from ii and
on the possible remedies for these eriLs-by JOHN RAE
A. ", ". d., S. S. r., ". E.. District Justice aud
Coroner for Hama, Nam, Notary Public for Maui,
author Of NEW PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY,
&C., &C., sc.
SIR Il desrous of endeavoring to call the at
tenOn of the public and of the Legislature to certain
as they to me-errors and defects in some of
laws rather in the principles of legislation which
have given origin to these laws.
am sensible how little authority my name can here
give to any arguments may bring forward and should
therefore, have preferred the modesty of an anonyme
but that the facts wish to state would not permit my
hiding myself under an ulcognito.
As it may be permitted to state to your read
why it is that conceive may, without presump-
tion endeavOr to call their attention TO the
take upon me to discuss.
The character of the native Hawaiian has always been
to object only of curiosity but of great
and, trust intelligent interest. have had ample
opportunities for studying that character and have used
all proper means to avail myself of them have
sided in these islands for years surrounded by
natives, most generally without white within
miles Of me, and in my various capacities Of pedlar,
doctor, schoOmaster, farmer. and magistrate have
necessarily them exhibited before without dis
guse, and in various lights. To say that fully
prehend them is more than |, perhaps any white
man, could do with justice. But at least know
thing of them and Of the mode in which laws devised
for their benefit have really operated.
The laws to which wish specially to refer those
established with the purpose of suppressing disorders
incident the intercourse Of the sexeslaws rather
the want of laws, for repressing the diseases which
spread from Irregularities in that intercourse-and
finally the law which has been passed regulate the
traffic in aura.
would first speak of the laws which have been passed
to suppress irregularities in the of the
And the first observation would make is, that have
very great doubts whether the framing of any such
laws, at least their rigorous enforcement, be
that is either wise expedient. entertain
tn. doubts, not because disbeeve in the paramount
in ,Orta of the purity of domestic life to the happi
ness and prosperity Of individuals and nations. am,
the contrary convinced that is the only true found
alton for both but because believe it will be found
that all attempts to amend the morality of any nation
by legislative enactments and governmental action have
proved worse than useless. Human nature some
how rises up in against any force from without
that would compel it TO be good righteous after any
particular fashion, and, in the tumult of the rebellion
thus excited treads down and stes those inward mOn
tors to which the soul would otherwise have been in
clined listen. The thing has been often tried and al
ways with bad success.
Louis the 18th closed long life of license by old
age of devotion. He had been the model by which all
around him had hitherto shaped their of life,
and he determined that in this also they should follow
his kngly example. He obeyed, for his iron will
had force stringent than our laws Decorum of
manners books of devotion, religious exercises seemed
fashion. But was there any good in this Was there
anything real? Quite the contrary. All these things
felt CALLING etters which they who them longed
to shake off. This the event proved. With i-dssem-
bed JOY the descent marked of the old monarch TO
his tomb Then all those Gisordery passions that had
been unwillngly pent up, having gathered ten-fold
force from restraint burst forth exutant. In their
fresh vigor they showed themselves the Court of
the Regent Orleans they rvaed the orgies of the Ro
man Emperors. Under his successor, Louis 10Th,
hausted but satated they sank into the disgraceul
debaucheres that tainted oil the higher ranks of France
during that reign and cast vile stain her nobii
ty that the deep gull dug for them by that terrible
revolution, which these had largely contrib
uted TO excite, scarcely hides it from eyes.
But it will be said by This is fair instance;
Louis l4th q bgoted Roman Catholic and the i'm
perfect teachings of that faith be expected
q firm foundation FIR national morality. Be it
Let us then take instance from another and op
poste quarter.
Every one will acknowledge that the Puritans of En-
gland, the brethren of the grim fathers, emf
nenty religious people speak not of the correctness
of their belief of the just conformity of their prac
tce to the revealed wl but of the sincerity of their
faith, and Of its influence their lives and actions.
That tested in destitution, adversely persecution,
and bore them stoutly through many battle field, so
nerving their the combat that at length their
good swords for them the supremacy England
They laid hands the Kingdom as their rghtful pos
session, and in accordance they conceived with the
course manfestly marked out to them by the hand OF
God they determined to make it privilege worthy Of
incentives guilty folly, and exat godiness in its
midst. Vice to be put down with high hand
Death therefore, the penalty Of proved hcentOus-
All recreaons and sports Withdrawing the mind
from the worship of God and Heaven by contempla-
tons, voted sinful and to be done away with. The
theatres were, therefore, closed and sports and recrea
tons more innocent abolished. None but men Of
acknowledged pey and godliness could aspire to Office
Others we're scowled down opposers Of Gods work.
The intent of these was perhaps good, but moth
ing could have been calamitous for themselves
and England than the project they set about Itover
threw them. Its mischievous effects the Kingdom
great and manifold that their traces yet remain.
Religion, with all its graces and virtues is from above,
heavenly. The instruments with which rulers work,
and alone work, rewards and punishment, are Of
the earth, earthly. No government, therefore, can
manufacture religion. When il sets about it, the arti-
Gle turns out to prove that rsscay counterfeit,
hypocrisy.
The world is mainly made up of WOrldings, men
who would rise and thrive and ready to adopt
the mode by which they others rising and thriving
seize the weapons that then and there may best
them in the battle of life. Such men readily assume