The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-04-30
Hard Up.

Mr.. EDITOR 1T would seem from the character
Of the newspaper articles which have lately appeared
in defense of our g peculiar - institution, that the
ground of legitimate defense has for some time been
entirely exhausted the old arguments weak and
shaky as they are, are used over and over again {;
are carefully redressed in new garments and pre-
sented to the public in constantly novel and ever
changing varieties of arrangement which reflects great
credit on the ingenuity of the composers. And this
is right it is the best that they can do under the
circumstances. But there are ambitious defenders
of our labor system who w~earying of such a qCiet
style of fighting and of its apparent barren results,
AS well they might-add spice and animation TO
the discussion, by the use of improper or at least
doubtful weapons.
The last Gazette contains n letter, written by
&" -Magnet,' which, in addition to the usual argu-
ments Of the necessity of our present system, has this
powerful and brilliant paragraph. "Read the law
referring to the Master and Servant Act. alt is
twenty years old. Is it not equal2 Is it not just!
Was it not necessary now? Whoever replies to these
interrogatories by saying no, | shall not insult by
calling him a fool" As the writer chivalrously
agrees not to call any one a food who answers his
questions In the negative, L will take the opportunity
TO say that the law in question is neither Just nor
equal, and as things that are wrong cannot be neces-
sary and never has been.
One word In regard TO the style OF the gentlemanly
/" .nagnet,' in the quoted paragraph ; and with an
anxious and friendly desire for his own literary
success in future. You have done well my dear NJ,
but you can do better than that if you try. | would
suggest for your study and guidance in the difficult
style of composition you have adopted, the mastery
speech of the ex-church warden on the occasion of an
election for parish Beadle, which you will find in
Sketches by Boz a portion of the speech runs nearly
as follows:
"He would not allude to individuals. lie would not advert
10 agentleman, who had once held a high rank in the service
Of His Majesty he would not say that that gentleman was no
gentlemen he would not assert that that man was no man ;
he would not say that he was q turbulent parishioner ne
would not say that he had grossly misbehaved himself not only
on this, but on all former occasions he would not say that he
was one of those discoutented and reasonable spirits who car
rid confusion and disorder wherever they went he would not
say that, he harbored in his heart envy and hatred and malice
and all Observation-Disclosures. No! He wished TO have everything
pleasant and comfortable and therefore he would say nothing
about him"
This may give you some new ideas, " Magnet"
The style is very forcible and telling something Of
this kind is necessary to save your sinking cause. Go
on and take courage. The consciousness that you
are laboring to elevate mankind TO the " sphere for
which he was created - rs BenHfu'S Orn says, will
strengthen and aid you through all encouragement
and opposition. SCRIBE.