The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-04-11

science, avail himself II what has been styled a char
table dodge . His instructions would not ailoT him
20 follow out the dictates of humanity, the impulse Of
his heart, or the sound principles OF common sense
About that period the case- o; distress became 80
frequent 70 Honolulu under the operation % a wrong
Interpretation Of the law by toe state department Al
Washington. that il called into existence the " Ladies
Stranger Friend Society
The 'lIEs Of the city not only undertook o. pro-
vide for those who should have been supported by
the United States Government. but they also drew
up aud -5-uei - petition. iilressed 10 the President
aud senate rf 'he United States. This petition was
forwarded cy Commissioner Severance. No direct
reply Wa ever received. bur very soon more liberal
instructions were ISSUED from the state Department
To Consul Ogden. While Nr. ogden Was Consul,
We distinctly reuoi'ect the fact that he consulted Mr..
Gregg, Is. Commissioner, upon this subject Mr..
Gregg c-reiu!Ly examined the point, and fully suS-
tanned tie liberal policy which Mr. Ogden carried
out. During the last i've Or -ix years, l. :. C0usuls
haze pursued the liberal policy. as we think they
ought always 70 have done, according 90 the spirit Of
the laws and general policy Of the United States
Government, toward, seameu under the United States
flag II hereafter the United States Consul should
decline providing for seamen discharged from Amer
lean ships because they were not duly naturaiizei, we
shall not only APPEAL to the Ladies Strangers Friend
Society 70 provide Tor such men, ls they have for
merry DONE hut suggest TO the ladies that they
make q formal complaint against such Consul 10 the
United states Government. The British, French and
other COnsuls, must not expect 70 escape the super
vision Of the adde's, should they he negligent in an
affair Of this nature We think the influence Of the
ladies will have a most potent influence la leading
the Consuls TO make a charitable and correct inter
probation Of the laws Of nations
Those tTO GriHg facts are still residents of Homo
lulu. The British tIcf still may be seen %hobbling or
crawling about the streets Of this city. sustained by
the precariOus charity Of the inhabitants. In our
opinion he ought 10 have been taken care Of by the
British Consul and sent back 70 his native land, or
otherwise supported by the British Government. The
-Americaa fact has contrived to secure a scanty live
hhoOd by acting as a clerk in a small retail store in
Nauanu street. We contend that both these cases
rightfully should have been provided for by the
British and American Consuls. \ contrary policy
IS unjust and unworthy the character Of great COM
mercia! nations. We thus argue, because we believe
that these seamen may claim Of fright TO be cared for
as well as protected by the flag under which they
sail When Consuls thus interpret the laws Of the
United States or Great Britain, We shall applaud their
conduct, and their course vii! receive our ''Eatter-
ing u~Rctiou.''
The Cousuls Of the United States and their en-
ployees may have erred upon other points, and their
charges may have been exorb;tan,, but that Is not a
matter which concerns W.. or which We feel called
upon 10 discuss or investigate. Our great desire Is
and has been. to see the Government officials take
care Of American senmen when sick, disabled and
destitute. This IS what the Government intends and
shall be done. /: in doing this honorable and
praiseworthy labor, the puhlic officials conduct un-
fairly and unjpstly, then 10 their own consc.ences,
the Government and American public they are re-
.pousib.c
The time has come when a:y abuses which have
prevailed IN the United States Consu'ltes At the
Sandwich Islands, are To be- investigated AMI opened
IP to the world. We hope these Investigations will
result ~ a thorough reorganization Of the system.
Let sailors have their rights such - are secured TO
hem by the laws Of the United States, aud let those
are entrusted with the execution Of the laws. act
Ia accordance with their solemn oaths aS honest men,
and faithful iunctionaries.
The great importance OF the subject we have dis
:ussci, viii we hope be received H- an apology FOR
he length of this article.