The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-08-14
TEMPERANCE REFORM IN HAWAII.
MEETING AT KAuMAKAr1L1 CHURCH.

AEAAN ~ III y
1t is very curious that in q country where the use
of intoxicating drinks by the native people is pro-
hibited by stringent laws. chiefly sustained by the
action of native Legislators, that We should be hold
ing temperance meetings in order TO appeal TO the
good sense of these people to avoid the indulgence in
pernicious beverages. One would suppose that in
such q state of things, with the authority OF absolute
prohibition, that the most effective temperance re-
forming society. would be an efficient and active
police force-that would speedily search out and
destroy all Illicit manufactures of intoxicating drinks,
aud would promptly detect and have punished sll
contraband purveyors of illegal beverage.
Blu, of course if the law is a dead letter, then the
best we can do is TO appeal to the public sense of
right and wrong. which after all is the only guarantee
for the maintenance Of law. So His Majesty. moved
toy a patriotic impulse to save his people, steps forth
IN his own person, as a temperance lecturer, sppeal-
ing to his native subjects to beware of the intoxicat-
ing cup, which meas alcoholic adulteration, and
which is certainly a moro active agent in dragging
poor thoughtless Eretcbes, both white and colored TO
untimely graves, than any other of which we have
any knowledge.
His Majesty's proposal to speak at Kaumakapili
Church on Sunday evening last, was seconded by o
throDg Of his people who packed the building TO an
uncomfortable extent Its low ceiling, about ten feet
high to an area Of about 100 by 60 feet, and its
small window openings, partly closed by heavy old
fashioned sashes, causes this Westinghouse at times
Of throngs in hot weather 10 be a very unwholesome
receptacle of steaming deleteriOus atmosphere. II
was painful to observe speakers hopping their faces
with their pocket handkerchiefs, during every
minute that they stood up; and we stood outside all
the time, near an opening, rather than sit inside.
His Majesty denounced especially the poisonous
character of alcohol; and then reminded his hearers
of the grievous loss of valuable, men, chiefly caused
by drinking q poisoned alcohol such as Kahai, Lii
kalani, Hoapii, who went to England, and others.
Then be cited the words of Kamehameha III " that
the good man was his man;'' and SO said the King.
tina, such would be his choice, in respect to those
who were to serve the country.
If His Majesty can maintain the latter declaration,
regarding, as we understood, 90 good men " to be
temperance men, that will be enough for a thorough
temperance reform among natives. They love Office
as well as foreigners; and suppose it was known to
be a fixed resolution of the KING, as Interchangeable
as q clause Of the Constitution. that no native could
get an Office, as district judge, tax assessor or COL
~lector, po~undmsster, constable, or anything else,
who should hereafter get drunk, or give or use in
any way all intoxicating beverage, except as pre-
sented by a physician, then total abstinence would
become fashionable among the natives. Perhaps as
fashionable as it would become in America, where
every native boy expects TO become President of the
United States, if it were possible to add another
amendment to the American Constitution. to the
effect that the use Of intoxicating drinks in any way
as a beverage would render q man ineligible 70 the
chief magistracy.
Mr.. John E Bush afterwards spoke; and he said
some things in very bad taste, to say the least. which
excited the indignation Of some Of the people near US
But he spoke fervently In behalf Of temperance, and
made an earnest 4 peal to his native hearers, stating
a sad truth " that (by iniemperauce) the very e1-
istence Of this people as a nation is endangered"
But it is endangered in more ways than By drink
and one is that the poor people delight 60 much more
in being tickled by talk than TO make any kind Of
effort for their temporal salvation.
Rev. Mr.. Ruaea who somewhat resembles in the
pulpit a distinguished preacher of America, made a
short and eloquent appeal to his p~eOple-snd with
apt words and striking gesture aroused q roar Of
applause,
Sir. s. 3. Dole presided over the exercises Of the
evening; and several influential foreigners we're
present.
We trust His Majesty's efforts in order to promote
temperance among his people. will be seconded by all
officers whose duty it is to look after the observance
of the laws.
y The British ship RsVeastOndaie. Capt. Will
liam Jack, sixty days from Newcastle, arrived in por,