The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-05-05

in the mean time, under the special and
careful protection Of the Government, which
had pledged itself to them, that they should
be fairly dealt with.
Let US look at the course the Govern
ment has taken, and SEE r III things have
not been conducted deceni.y and IN order
have net been straight, by the line and
plummet. The Legislature of 1864. feel
ing the necessity of promoting immigra-
ton, and knowing that the people of this
country were unable to pay heavy premi-
ums to immigrants, passed law, establish
ing the Board Of Immigration, and empow-
ering them to take the necessary steps to
procure laborers from abroad, and to super
wise their introduction, in such a manner,
as might appear best calculated for their
1.-THE laborer's) protection, and for the in
terests of the country. The Board, con-
sidering that to commit to the hands of
private parties, the selection, engagement
and introduction of immigrants, would be
to run great risk of subjecting them to
deceit in their engagement, and i'll treat
ment on their passage hither, determined
to undertake the whole conduct of this
business. In this. they met the following
approval:
at is better that the Government should
take this matter in hand to avoid the posi-
bility of abuse and malpractice; though, as
Sir Rowland Hill said of the British postal
system, 1T might be done more promptly by
private enterprise The vice of govern
ments generally is the circumlocution office
But, after all, dilatoriness in this matter at
least, is better than rashness even if bold
stroke does sometimes succeed."-P C. A.,
Feb. 25th, 1865.
1t is true that the editor says he had
not then the light which has now burst
upon him, so as to dazzle his vision-had
not advanced to the state Of "Philan-
thropist and Christian" -that his ideas
on the question had not become tso) ma
tured.-[See April 10TH We cannot
stop to comment on the fact, that he was
then apparently, claiming to be both
"Philanthropist and Christian" and that,
to all appearance, though preserving much
of the elasticity and comeliness of youth,
he had arrived at what might be consider
ed the grand climacteric of life-for that
is matter for himself to judge, and he is
probably convert now to the theory of
constant development. But if so. no one
can tell when his present views will have
become obsolete, and be looked upon by
himself as Immature" But we must pass
on to the fact, that though subsequently,
on the 9Th of September, 1868, see issue
of p. C. A., of that date, when he was,
by so much time, further advanced on his
road TO Philanthropy and Christianity, his
views had become so far matured as to
publish the following comment on pri-
vate enterprise:
"The treatment of the coolies on board the
British bark EdStfeld, was, to use the mildest
word, outrageous, and had justice been melted
out TO the parties responsible, our chain-gang
would to-day have seen them in it."
Yet, on March 9th, 1869, being in the
full glory of his development, he publishes
the following:
THAT all restrictions forbiddiug the impor-
tation of laborers, be repealed, and that open
encouragement be given to any parties to in
troduce free laborers or immigrants"
But we must hasten on with our sketch
of what was done. The vast population
of China presented itself as being the
most practicable source from which to pro-
cure the desired augmentation of labor
and population; and the Board decided to
procure sufficient to supply the immediate
demand of rapidly increasing production,
from that source. To order that everyone
should feel that this delicate business was
being conducted, in an unexceptional man
ner, an agent was appointed to proceed
to China, flor the purpose of engaging In
migrants, Whose high attachments, unblem-
ished honor, and wise philanthropy, would
be sufficient guarantee tina: any mission
he would undertake, must be entirely free
from any imputation of intended oppres-
sion or deceit towards any one. The
Agent of the Board of Immigration went
to China, and at Hong Kong, with the
knowledge and assistance of the British
authorities, as well as of private indi-
viduals, whose reputation for philanthropy
and high appreciation of the rights of
man, is worldwide, and whose active as
sistance and advice could not have been
enlisted by any person, save one with the
high honor and probity of the Agent of
the Hawaiian Board of Immigration, pro-
cured several hundred laborers, who agreed
to come to this country and labor for the
term of five years, in consideration of
their passages, monthly wages, support
and medical attendance. These contracts,
as well as the nature of the labor which
they would probably have to peform, was
explained to them. They were assured
that those for whom they were to labor,
would not have the right to maltreat
them; that the courts of the country
would always be ready to listen to their
and that their food should be