The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-12-30

The - Reformed Catholic Bishop Of Homo
lulu, in his letter which We published last even
ing, endeavored to remove the apprehension we
had expressed us To the nature Of his mission.
We confess that his statements do not carry con-
viction to our minds.
Let Us examine the state Of society at the
islands, recall some facts the Bishop omitted To
mention, and then see what claim he has on
Americans for material aid.
The population Of Honolulu, the only city of
numerical importance. Is composed Of about two
thousand foreigners and twelve thousand natives.
Of the foreigners the Americans largely prepon-
derate, the English being next in numbers. Be
tween these TWO nationalities, ever since the
breaking out OF the rebellion, there has existed a
bitter and growing aniuIosity. While the Amer
leans have been loyal to the Union cause, the
Englishmen were out>poken sympathlzers with
the rebels. - deeply rooted is the feeling en-
gendered by this antagOnism, that the cOmmu-
nifty Is divided socially, and the entertainments
given by one faction are not attended by mem
bers OF the other. Arrayed on the side OF the
Union are the American Presbyterian Mission
aries, while the rebel sympathizers are hand and
glove with the English Mission.
We do not assert that the English Bishop i
the exponent OF that parry, but We DO assert that
American residents. educated as Episcopalians at
home, and who believe that love Of their coun-
Try i a part Of their religion, cannot and DO not
affiliate wiki that English branch of the Episco-
pal Church.
The Bishop informs us that American citizens
are his warmest friends in the islands, but il
would be more satisfactory 10 know who those
Americans are. Does lac mean that renegade
American who sold his birthright for political
preterment under the Hawaiian Government.
and who, by reason Of his sentiments, was hooted
al and not allowed to address the public meeting
held III Honolulu 70 celebrate the capture Of
Richmond? That American, if entitled to the
name, does attend thu Bishops church, and Is
the Bishops warm friend. But he cannot be
fairly quoted az an exponent Of American feeling
there.
Again, tire Bishop insinuates that the Ameri-
can legation attends his church. The American
Minister resident Is q regular attendant at the
Fort street Presbyterian Church, of which the
Rev. Eli Corwin Is pastor. and he Is in every
way opposed 70 the English mission, believing 1t
- be more political than ecclesiastical in its
bearings and tendencies.
Bishop Staley also claims that his is :. not a
church Of nationality, reInarking. in proof Of
his assertion, that in the prayers Of his church
Tor d" all IN authority, especial reference was
made 70 the President Of the United States. and
that upon the announcement Of the death Of
President Lincoln he held a solemn memorial
service. Does he mean us TO understand that
his church was an exception in these respects?
Is lie not well aware that prayers for the Presi-
dent, for the Union army and navy, and for the
final triumph Of our efforts in abOlishing slavery,
were offered every sabbath, not in ali foreign
churches only, but in native churches as well?
Vt the general public meeting. however. held
when the news Of the Presidents assassination
first came. in which the American Minister resi-
dent, judges, lawyers, Presbyterian ministers,
and citizens all took part. neither the Bishop nor
any OF hs clergymen were present. Their alb
>=nce on that occasion was scarcely con uatible
with the deep interest in this matter he now
Irofe--es.
Another opportunity Of displaying this interest
IN our cause was also sadly NEGLECTED. When
the news Of the capture Of Richmond reached the
islands, ii brought ~gladneSs 70 the hearts Of all
American sympathizers. In their joyful enthu-
silsn q hundred guns were fred in the morning.
at noon, and NJ night a general invitation was
posted 10 all Americans and 70 all feeling an in
terest I'm the victories of the Union armies. u
wait upon the American Minister resident. at an
appointed hour, 10 give expression 10 their feel
lngs. Stores were closed. and people hocked
there en- masse speeches were made by minis
tiers, lawyers and merchants, while the ladies
sang national anthems. But the Bishop was
NOT there. neither We're either Of the - two we'll