The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-07-06
|cne Inspector General ofsonoola.

Mr. EDITOR In your paper of the sth inst, We
fentured few brief criticisms upon the present
nethod sf conducting our common schools. Every
hing therein said, was in a thoroughly honest and
friendly spirit. e
We had taken 1t for granted that every genuine
ecker after truth in its application to our common
ecessities. would welcome. with all eordiality.
nything in the way of fair discussion Freedom
I Z Thought with the fullest liberty OF expression
las been regarded of the chieiest glories OF
he present age, essential indeed. to the best
development OF theories and the ultimate classhca-
H lon of facts
\ 1t is clear however that TOO much was taken for
r-apfed. The thoughts expressed in the article
Jove referred TO, seem to have disturbed the
lGanimty Ief~the Inspector General Of Schools,
,ost uny sountably. This we regret and more
,.ncereiy regret that he should have suffered
iaAsf in Ne heat of MS dlspIessure to treat the
riticisms az ffrse> OF an enemy Whether hie-
devoted to the nSssts OF our common ,
,ceording to the measure o Dur ability should no.
ave shielded us from suob az assumption, others
nnst judge
Had the Inspector General fairf met any pGnh1s'
which exception was taken in the a .hon
one would have been more highly eT Isn1
be writer; it is, can feel nor, = go;
han himself the gross injustice of the studit. -
Representations made by that officer. ~sssS;
If the gentleman read the article in question he
cnosos that the exceptions taken to Teachers Con-
sntons were. as expressly stated, to those only,
|, q this Z" largest OF the islands,
Of the " conventions F" on the other islands, we
lave 700 sukhA AAaonletSt 70 SPEAK 6uk We nave
doubt that they very valuable adjuncts to
sdaestional apparatus. The individuals who conduct
them competent to make them So We think,
moreover, that the introduction of the teachers
convention % into these islands very judicous and
timely measure. tft-
Eis when you come to this island. where no con-
daSsors &C these conventions available, the ques
|tion entirely different phase. It simple
In question of possibilities, if you will questi
|of shams. We spoke plainly before, but in per IS
good feeling, in styling the teachers conventiG
|of this Island, humbugs," and were it advs go;
I'VE could ill space in these columns with SninSs
|mony that would sat least convince most .'L
|open to conviction, that we spoke the simpl y -,
In frankly. perhaps too bluntly exprs - 1svs
Eseiuions in the columns of the ADvERrIany ;ndiyiJ
occurred to us that we were treaions we're guArded
ual uniaifty' because tue exc had never conceiveT
and because, moreo ysseent system of common schools
et tna peculiar interest of any person o.
body of persons.
+ Having, in common with other friends of public
education watched the system from Its infancy up
We had all along supposed that 1t WAS matter
uersonal concern to ourselves as well AS every
friend of the Hawaiian people. in fact joint-stoci
interest in which all well-wisheTs to Hawaii ne
were partners. We are truly sorry, If in this
matter, we have. erred.
The Inspector General takes exception to oui
representation of the " Teachers Conventions
conducted on this Island, because he says we have
never been in one " of these conventions. True
but is ocular testimony necessary to knowledge
Besides whence is the acquaintance OF the gentle
man himself with these conventlonsI AND WY
should he officially report as facts what he ha'
never witnesseds
But enough. The unworthy charges OF Z" car
oinQn +" sneeriug " and a. ridiculng, may 60 fol
Ibeir full ralue There is not the shadow OF ground
for them in anything that we have previously said
No one would welcome system OF Teachers
Conventions on this Island more cordially than tne
writer Meantime We think very large amount o
genius would scarcely be necessary for . feS
simple suggestions regarding the conduct OF oui
public country schools. We are in danger at times
In looking too high Of losing sight Of elementary
truths. S@ a. ~
Kohala, June, 1872.