The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-01-05
Freedom, An Exemption from
COnstrainf.

EDITOR GAZETTE: Punch BOlrl, for Janu-
airy, says:
"The movement in favor of protec-
ton, which has arisen lately among the
| tradesmen of Honolulu, though compara-
/ lively unimpOrtant as regards itself, has
seriously damaged the cause of free labor,
as depending upon the action of the next
/ Legislature; il has lessened and weakened
that cause by Withdrawing from the num-
Der of its supporters, aud by indorsing the
labor policy OF the planters; thus strength
ening them"
! The writer of that article in the Punch
Bolcl must be one of three things, viz:
either ignorant of the meaning of the Eng
lisb language, or stupid, or perverse. We
can not cal him stupid. for the article bears
I evidence of an Intelligent writer 1t is evil
IDENTIFY a perversion of the term free labor,
and distortion of facts
The word "free," as defined by Webster,
means "to release from obligation of duty"
Stree from burden" san exemption from
constraint or control" If we take any of
these definitions, we eau not well apply them
to labor, for the first meaning OF labor is,
"the exertion of muscular strength" or
"bodily exertion, which occasions weari-
ness, particularly the exertion of the limbs
! in occupations by which subsistence is OBJ
tanned, as in agriculture and manufactures
"Toilsome work. "any bodily exertion
which is attended with fatigue;" and also
''to be burdened," "to form with toll and
I care" 1t would be absurd TO connect the
words s. Free and labor under any of the
above meanings, for to be "exempt from
constraint, and TO ''form with toll and
care" or "free from burden" and at the
same time "be burdened," is a contradiction,
and the terms evidently cannot be employed
in that sense.
The word I" freen is also defined, "to be
subject only to fixed laws, made By consent,
and to a regular administration of such
laws" also, ga man is free to pursue his
Oicn choice" If we apply these definitions
to the word free with those of the word
labor, it makes sense, and is evidently the
ouly meaning that can connect the two
words together. A man is free to make his
own bargain, and bind himself to certain
duties, and burdens, and performances, sub
ject to fixed laws, regularly administered.
He = is free TO pursue his own choice" If
we accept this last as the meaning of free
labor, would like to know in what way the
Hawaiian Trades Association has damaged
the cause We go for FREE LABOR, and for
no other kind of labor We support the
Board of Immigration in bringing free Ia
borers under contract, made with the labor
ers' free choice, and We go for the applica-
ton of " fixed laws, made by consent" to
enforce the fulfillment of contracts. Any
kidnapping; any man-stealing; nJthing but
fair, plain, honest dealing between man and
man, We repudiate, and stamp with our
highest indignation. The fact is, the parties
who are making such cry about free labor
are like the Indians tree, which was $50
straight that it leaned the other way" Not
to allow a man to pursue his own choice"
in making a contract, is to deprive him at
once Of his freedom. Who set these men up
as the guardians of other mems liberties?
They want to say who may come as laborers,
and how they may come, and what kind of
bargain they may make, without consulting
the wishes of the laborer, or without consid-
ering his rights in the case. They want to
carry out a pet theory which they never
could or would apply to work in their own
kitchens, or gardens, or fields. UtoPian
ideal A very good hobby horse, perhaps,
to ride into the Legislature on, but very
poor carrier in the duties Of lifel
In one sense, no man is free Even the
wild eagle of the mountains is not free. The
care of the nest, and the feeding Of the
young. eoRpsis the king OF birds to per-
Torrance OF duties under fixed laws. The
planter, with 800 contract men in his en-
ploy. is no more free than any of the men,
They are equally bound by fixed laws, made
by mutual consent, and the master is as
much the slave of the men, as the men are
slaves Of the master. The obligations are
mutual. The master is powerful, from his
position, and the men, individually, are
weak; and for that reason, the strong arm
Of the law should be a shield alike to man
and master: eyen-handed justice for both
The term free labor, as adopted by the
Utopians, is a misnomer. irresponsible labor
would better express the idea. We should
like, just for the fun of the thing. to see
ship-losd of Cinnamon landed on our
wharves, brought here as irresponsible Ia
borers, or free laborers, and watch the result.
Up steps man wanting help, hat in hand,
and says: "Dear John Chinaman, / am sadly
in want of help; won't you engage with me
for yearY' "Oh," says John. "you wait
until l see how much can get somewhere
else, and perhaps, II ] do not make up my