The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-08-11
THE
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDAY, AUGUST IL
Our Chinc-c Population.

>''i
The following very interesting paragraphs are
from the pen Of the Rev. d. VRooNAN. American
Missionary to China, now in California. They
are from a letter dated July 7th, in response to
an invitation from the Board Of the Hawaiian
Evangelical Association, to visit these islands
and assist in deyising ways for bcneftlng our
Chinese population. Written without reference
to. and without knowledge of the condition OF
the Chinese here, and Of course in ignorance OF
the feelings toward them excited by the events
Of the last month, Mr.. Vrooman's remarks have
a peculiar significance and weight. Though at
present unable 70 come, it is 10 be hoped that
one who evidently so wisely comprehends Chin
csc character, will yet be able TO personally
assist the Hawaiian Board in devising for their
religious good. Should he visit these islands.
we trust he will be induced to give one or more
lectures on China and the Chinese
Il should like 20 see the Chinese in their new
home in the islands, and could then better tell
what advice TO give concerning their improvements.
! would also like an opportunity to address their
employers in regard to the best method Of treating
them in order to secure qtiet and faithful laborcrs.
Much depends upon this. | remarked that your
letter gave me great pleasure and. wishing to make
that emphatic. let me tell the reason. II was that
your Association Is dIice to the calls of lost human
ity a. found in the imported Chinese ~ we'll as in
your own natives. The natives are known 10 me
only by report. but with the Chinese | am ac-
quaiutcd 10y actual contact and extensive inter
course. and my opinion is. that aside from natural
drpravitv. Gn which they are similar) the two
races are extremely unlike. | conjecture that your
Chinese are of the poorer sort: but however rough
they NAV appear 10 u stranger. you may be certain
Of this fact. they kHojr rLdt is becoming 10 man rs
Il Ltuuuu b,lg. and they also know what l. due,
ON this score. from one man towards another. No
people in the world. not even Americans. see more
clearly. and in their Intercourse with cacn other at
home. recognize more fully the equality Of u,a5h"od.
They consider II a virtue To conceal their feel
iugS. and. although they pocket am insult, they
feel it all the more kcculy and when occasion offers
will repay il in some form. with compound inter
est. An undcScrvcd blow from the hands of AN
employer they would not be likely to forget or
forgive. They are very proud spirited. and this
is a great outrage If judged by their ideas of
pruprirtv. would dwell upon this point hccaus"
all efforts for their good will fall To the ground
unless they feel that their rights as men are respect
"a. | know not how they are esteemed by your
people. Perhaps they already have all the regard
and all the kind treatment they deserve. But 1t *
painful to hear them express their opinion of the
myrdjty OF California. And what Is worse tor our
boosted picty. they back up their opinions Of
our morality here by .f1ctS that cannot bc denied
They also exhibit u keen discrimination. The
man who uniformly treats them kindly and pays
promptly. is regarded with great favor and highly
esteemed. as AN exception OF "A good man. among
many bad oncs. Public feeling towards them here
Is changing for the better. and will continue to i'm
prove ~ the people and the Chinese get better
acquainted.
Il think if your government and the employers
ID their duty. YOU will have little to fear from the
Chinese except That they mag entirety S'IpiWt the
i%G'ireS. The Chinese. rs Il race. ar" vigorous.
prolific and tenacious of life. and should they con
cludc to make the islands their home. would soon
ill them with an abundant population. suppress
gambling and prohibit the entrance of opium and
lcwd women and all would go on smoothly"