Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1861-03-16
No. 46.

Charis smagne, when tribe waged exermlnatng warfare
against tribe They Christians in those DARK ages
that ushered in the Feudal rule when the hand Of ev
cry man was against his neghbor, and constant COM
bats onsaughts and battles ragged everywhere that
science. the arts christianity ITSELF seemed ABOUT 70 oe
bloted out over all that region They have oeen chris-
the great of nations. How often has the magni-
cent chant " Ts Dsum Laudanss," Praise we the
Lord been sung for the victories Of one Cnrstan ma
ton over another, and have men dared 70 MI up lner
voices in exultston TO the God of Righteousness ana
peace because they have heaped the wide PLAIN with
the bloody corpses of their fellow worshippers: NOW.
are there any signs of this passion ceaslng head
the productions of the peace society," and see now con-
rsry to right all this how fatal to socia pros
perity 1t is in vain. The thirst for combat and mar
al renown is in the blood that courses through our
veins and we yield to it. Even now over all europe
the eyes of men sparkling as they burnlsh ihef
/ arms for some coming fray .4
Ii then would leok into ourselves, we might learn
to judge fairly of the siings Of others for surely
this passion for fight and boodshed is as repugnsnt to
the gospel of peace and love the passion Tor hcen
tous pleasures And If in Europe 1t has taken tweiVe
centuries for that gospel to mitigate the one II was un
reasonable to have expected that fully accepted
in Hawaii the subduing the other would here De for
only the work of day. This the Hawaiian legislator
| ought 10 have well considered.
Another circumstance ought to have been present to
his mind when considering what laws he ought to frame,
what regulations he ought enforce for the two races
here coming in contact. allude to the very elevated
position which woman holds in Europe and America
If the pages of the Old or New Testament,
if We search all Roman, Greek, or Saner literature
we find nohingnOt in the widest stretch OF fancy
in their pOets-that the just conception OF
| the idea comprehended in that now somewhat abused
| word, lady, How came woman to attain this high
ground among US and how is possible to give to her
something like correspondent rank among Hawaans,
questions which ought to have been put, and an
swered by him.
We owe much to ancient Germany, and for this also
l liant
to the will of her lord and MASTER was held to be
wOmans highest excellence. The German, ON the con-
rary conceived that she nearer the Divinity than
he was held her in corresponding worship and honor and
when he himself eame forth from his woods brought her
with him, to maintain and prove the true dignity Of her
And she has done We think Of her-and rig hty
think of her-as holding place purer, hoher nearer
the angels than grosser natures can attain to-
We trust to her. and give her range of thought and ac-
ton. Hence mainly the superior grace and polish, the
purity, the happiness of modern society Man did not
before know what in man, for he had so depressed
one half of his nature that il lay hid from his eye
Before the lady into being the gentleman obvious
| ly could not exist
In contemplating therefore the condition Of the Ha-
waan woman. ought in fairness to view her rather
as she compares with the woman of former times, or OF
countries where the Germanc have not yet Unused
their peculiar sentiments with regard to the SEX than
conceive of her as an essentially degraded being, be-
she falls far below that higher standard which
is before eyes, How to raise her to that higher
standard ought to have been primary object with the
wise legislator His duty. in Short towards the whole
of both required him to endeavor to devise
by which they should acquire the arts and grad
ualy mould themselves into conformity to the more
refined sentiments and purer morals of the white man
to that strctness of life which his religion inculcates
This, regard to their prosperity as separate people
demanded and it became necessity for their permanent
existence, nation coming in immediate contact with
the white man, and living in the same land with him.
For, if they could not be raised to something Ike an
1
they necessarily in process years, sink beneath
his sway an inferior and degraded race. How was
this to be brought about?
| Tis education forms the common mind;
| Just as the twig is bent the trees inclined"
There can be no doubt of the truth of the poets max
m understand by the term not mere book iearu-
ing but education in its largest and true sense CON-
pretending all the influences whchare brought TO bear
on the individual from infancy to maturity In that
extended sense the best education is undoubtedly that
which most conduces to the prosperity and happiness
of the individual and Of the community OF which ne or
she is to be member. As it comes short, or runs
counter to this it is defective faulty
What then it should have been considered, has hth-
erto been the education what have been the infu-
ences that have en- brought to bear on Hawaiian
youth Of both and how these be ameliorated
or more beneficial be introduced in their place!
From all have been able to gather Of the ancient
condition OF the Hawaiian people, there seems to have
been o remote approach among them to that division
in castes which exists in India. Each had his separate
/ occupation. One titled the lana anotner
man another a maker Of canoes. and 30 on The sons
followed the same division Of labor as their fathers,
grandfahers and proba y remote ancestors had done
They accompanied their fathers to the scenes OF their
abors. first on-lookers next they were permitted
~ assist in such light matters they could manage
gradually as they acquired skill and strength they be-
came efficient aids. No coercion was used the imita-
tive propensity of nature the knowledge that the
better workmen they became the more they would De
esteemed and the spirit Of emulation, were the only
1 stir, md Iaho
they sufficient This course OF hfe could not iau
to nvigorate the frames Of the youth and TO train them
to habits Of persistent industry. They knew but little
but they knew it well. They learned to take prlde
in their proficiency in their particular avocaon, and
pleasure in practising it. 1t also drew strongly togeth-
er the ties Of paternal and fia affection The father
rejoced to his boys around him striving to aid him
in his tolls and they could not but regard win daiy
increasing love the being who hourly before them.
endeavoring after the comfortably to MAINTAIN
them. their parent master and friend. AS the
sons followed after the father, did the daughters after
the mother. What I have said Of one applied with
equal truth to the other. 1t must be obvious that
while all thus mutually aided each other in procuring
the means sufficient for their simple needs and enjoy
ments small family was but little Of burden, and
soon became help To be parent was. therefore, q
| thing generally desired.
leone now to another point. I have said that the
ancient Hawaiian manners were very hcentious Yet
1t is certain that the women were very profnc mat
the Injunction to multiply and repenish the earth was
OOeye1 Dy tnem Nay, THAT, IN sPHc Va
diseases and human sacrifices that were continually
making gaps in their numbers, the population was 20
redundant that the practice of nAntcde was permitted
in order TO restrain il. How the two reconeed
for great fecundy and licenous manners are general
| " and rightly esteemed incompatible!
| This is q delicate matter to handle They who know
what these ancient were and what IN fact they
still remain. will perceive that there are some parts
which cannot at all approach others VIII toucn as
| lightly possible.
There must il is obvious have been restraints
else mothers would have been Like most other
countries where he position of woman inferior TO that
which she has with u.s. she was, with few exceptions,
conceived to be under the protection and guardianship
of man. The girl was car efay watched. 40 to pre-