The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-03-31
Hawaiian Literature.

In its last issue, our cotemporary raises it,
periodical hue and cry about the demoralizine
Hawaiian literature published here, referring
in particular to a correspondence between the
LaHut Ha,Oaii and the Ruokoa, touching the
verdict of the jury in the Abigail Maikai case
when, it will be remembered, the jury cleared
her, after she had confessed her guilt. The
LdEli Ha,odii commenced the discussion some
weeks since, by justly severe article on the
verdict, which, however, applied solely to the
! jury and did not include the law-oficers, who
were equally blameworthy. Correspondents of
the two papers named, then took up the dis
cussion, and continued it for several weeks, be-
coming at times quite excited over it, and in
dulging in not very refined epithets, equivalent
to ''fool," "vagabond, T" GUNNER" ETC., etc.
Neither of them appears to have used immoral
expressions, as charged, unless one in the last
letter of the Kuokoa writer may be so termed.
He calls his opponent child of an animal, fed
on the milk of contention and strife, mailman
half-beast, and therefore unable to comprehend
what he or anyone else writes In fact, in the
use of sarcastic language, as well as in the
points taken in his argument, he had decidedly
the advantage Of his opponent, and so the dis
cussion ended. In this state Of affairs, the
friends of the vanquished seek aid and COM
fort in the Adce1iser, and they are welcome to
all they can get there. There has nothing ap-
peared in print which need alarm anyone or
offend the most sensitive.
Now while we have our hand in this matter
Of Hawaiian newspapers, we will add few
words. We commenced the native paper kuo.
koa, IA years ago, as cooperative under
taking, native society, called the Aldtw
Huolou, guaranteeing TO support and circulate
It, while we undertook its business management.
Mr. William B. Ragsdale was it's first editor
In this way the paper started, as essentially
~Giire enterprise, and il has been SO conducted
ever since, Hawaiians writing its articles, set
tingup its types, printing, folding, distributing
it, and collecting it's monies, 1t is and has al
ways been peculiarly Hawaiian institution.
designed originally and ever since conducted,
with the one idea steadily in view of being an
educator Of the people, by training them to
write Cor, print and do all the work necessary
to maintain IT, Aud in this service over two
hundred natives are constantly employed as
agents and carriers In some
years we have sunk from five hundred TO |
thousand dollars in conducting it. But what |
Of thiss We are willing to suffer loss il we
can only help to educate and train Hawaiians |
in the newspaper service, While having the |
management, we seldom interfere in
the editing, unless we find that the writers need
when it is promptly done,
Now there are some who contend that the
Hawaiians must only do just so,-they must
think, talk, read, stand, walk and sit, accord
ng to certain arbitrary rules of propriety and
this they must not go.
While the whole field of English literature is
,pen to foreigners, they have but TACO small ns,rs-
,apers, and some contend that into these moth
ng must be allowed to enter but what squares
With the Shorter Catechism or the Prayer
Book. These are very well in their places, but
Iawaiians need variety, and mental amuse-
nent as well as others They enjoy good jokes,
nd some of their writers are adopts in ridicule,
arcasm and invective. Shall we deny them