The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-09-09


that a coolie Importation exist here, such
as that trade is understood by the Ameri-
can Congress and American people, and
described in the notice issued to-day by
the United States Minister Resident, "a
mode of enslaving men differing from the
former Il. E. the African slave trade) in
little else than the employment of fraud
instead of force to make its victims cap
tive" The importation of our laborers
has always been a voluntary one on their
part, and conducted with as strict regard
TO the equities of all parties concerned, as
the usual agreements between the employ
er and employed. Our American resi-
dents, whose homes, plantations, and other
departments of work, have been supplied
with labor by these immigrants, including
as employers the writers of the leader
themselves, do not believe they are parties
to modified slave system, nor dare they
assert that coolieism, as understood in its
offensive sense, forms any part of the labor
system of these islands Therefore when,
| from special instances of CRIME or discon-
tent, rare enough in the history of our i'm
ported laborers, and forming such notable
exceptions as only to prove most strongly
orr assertion. that the Chinese have had
no cause of complaint, either in the manner
of their being brought here or in their
treatment while in service. the writer's
attempt to charge upon us an odious coolie
importauon-the statement can only mis-
lead at a distance, and just where it was
meant to mislead and injure us.
We deny, IN toto, that coolies are
brought here. Laborers under contracts of
service have been introduced. but under no
disabilities as regards their personal liber-
ties and immunities. 1t is easy to misrep-
resent every undertaking. especially those
made to fill up the population of a co1ntry.
The introduction of Chinese into California
for the Pacific Railroad the operations of
its Immigration Society, issuing rosy cir
culars on the condition and resources of
the State. and the employment of agents
East to set forth the advantages of migra-
'tion the matured and energssic supervision
and control exercised by the British Gov
ernment over the transportation of men to
supply the labor needs of her colonies, all
these undertakings may be held up TO
odium by earping writers, who have pur-
pose TO serve or malignant passion to
gratify.
The acts of our Board of Immigration
have been of such justifable character, and
so in consonance with due regard to the
spirit of the age, that unjust criticisms and
false statements of its work can be easily
refuted here if not elsewhere.
But why does the Adrirtiser now come
out so about coolies? What occasion has
it to NEEDLE in the matter? Evidently
not from humanitarian motives, or regard
for the Chinese, as we shall show farther
on. 1t is accustomed to call them a set of
pirates, cut-throats, dangerous elements of
society, and useless class, given 70 vaga-
bondage when ont of their time, and fit
only for the chain-gang.
Has it discovered the necessity of a
new mission-that of niisrepresenting our
labor system to the United States. Per-
baps it desires that the sensibilities of its /
Senate must be aroused to the belief that
we are inveigling American ships and
American citizens into a coolie traffic,
'odius to us as well as to them) so that an
feeling may thereby be created
.owards this country.
But we trust this purpose may fail. Our
ystem of immigration has been fully ex-
blamed, and we may hope is fully under
tood
What is the attitude of this Govern
nent towards these imported laborers?
When the matter of taxes came up. the
Iirect question was presented to the Gov
rnment. whether the personal character
f the Chinese was compromised by their
ontracts. The Government insisted that
hey were persons and taxed them as such,
he Attorney Generals opinion distinctly
tated that nothing savoring of slavery
ould be tolerated in this Kingdom.
But lately we published an official form
contract, which provides against contin-
ance. on the ground of Indebtedness Of
be laborer, which. if allowed. might be-
ONE dangerous form of servitude.
The Ad0eTtiseT republishes law passed {
y the last Assembly. pronouncing it as
1olie code. and tbrusts upon the Govern
Ient the responsibility of its passage. The
W did not originate with the Government, ,
as not supported by them, but, stranget to a
~, passed against their votes by the
copies Party $50 called by the Adrertiser),
I'D by them was placed upon the Statute t
ook. If by any inference the law can
2 construed as conferring arbitrary power
yer any class in this country, the Adrer-
ser,s friends are responsible for it. But
henever under its provisions any odious 2
-. .o....lntinr,- haro hoan r,ronnnl.rntnI Il L