The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-07-03
TO our Subscribers.

''i
We issue to-day the first number of a new
volume of this paper, which has just closed it
sixth year, having been established July >, 1856
At the time it was originated, the only weekly
paper existing was the Polynesian, controlled anc
edited by government officials, who 50 far forgot
their obligations to the public, as to make it the
vehicle Of frequent personal abuse and political
maIevolence. TO counterfeit the baleful infu-
cnces Of that Journal on society, and to allow it
and the government to know that popular rights
and personal privileges could not De ;rampled
on with IMMUNITY, the Commercial AdcIijSer
sprung into cXistence-the oiSpring of public
sentiment and the advocate Of popular rights.
How far it has maintained the position, may
be best inferred from the fact that it is the first
and only successful newspaper enterprise that
has ever been started at these islands, not even
excepti"Sits contemporary the PoLynes.an, which
has long been sustained solely by government
aid, and which even now requires to be propped
up with an annual appropriation of $500.
Every previous newspaper effort proved a failure.
The Commercial has not, however, been con-
Quoted without meeting that opposition which is
necessary to the existence of every independent
Journal. This was illustrated in its early his
tory. Scarcely had two months elapsed, before
it became the object # ministerial ire. and Il libel
suit was instituted, TO put an end at once and for
ever to free speech. a few days delay and reflec-
ton, however, showed that the voice of the peo-
pie sustained the paper, and condemned the ac-
ton at law. The attempt was carried far enough
to show that public sentiment must be respected,
even by a Crown Minister, and that to muzzle a
free press forcibly, even in the Hawaiian Islands,
is Il hazardous undertaking.
To attempt to defend all that this paper has
uttered during the SIX years of its existence,
would be an inyidious task, for mortals are and
ever will be fallible and erring, and reflection
often radically changes their views and scnti-
mcnts. What at one time appears the true
course, may ut another be impolitic, or ut least
Of doubtful utility. The conductor of 4 news
paper, more than all others, ought to possess an
unbiased mind, open to conviction, and if truth
and the public interests require it, yield his own
sentiments to those of others. Possessing unu-
suul advantages for correct inform ton by con-
tact with a thousand minds of ev, y different
belief, and from IL multitude of othcl sources, he
has opportunities which few enjoy in forming an
impartial judgment on every question under dis
cussion. In conducting this Journal, our aim
has ever been to serve the interests Of the largest
number. In doing so, it is morally impossible
to suit all, where, as in our island community,
such Il variety of sentiment exists. KS hereto
fore, we shall endeavOr TO conduct it 50 as best
to subserve the interests Of its subscribers, and
make it Il welcome yisitant and instructor in
every family. The plan which was adopted at
the outset, Of inserting articles from the best
writer's on various subjects more familiar to them,
be continued, thus rendering the paper IA
more popular exponent than it would otherwise
be. Some of our best articles which have ap-
peared as leaders are thus edited.
We have advocated a general reduction of
government expenses and economy, for the times
are less prosperous than in years gone by; and
in reducing the size Of our paper, as we DO to-
day, we only add example to precept. Though
We use the same types rs in our former issues,
the general appearance of the sheet, it will be
noticed, has been improved and rendered more
We shall devote about the same
space to reading matter as formerly, the reduction
being confined mainly to the advertising columns,
for which less room is required, owing to the
general decline of business at the islands. Be
sides this. the paper was formerly of an odd size,
or which we always had to order p aper expressly
manufactured. at an extra expense. In using the
ize on which the P0IyHeSian. huokOa and Paki-
are printed-one of the common sizes of
which news paper is made-a considerable reduc-
ion in the annual expense is made.