The Hawaiian gazette., 1876-04-19

de vArisuy late Minister Of Foreign Affairs to the Hawai-
ian Government Reviewed BY Mons Francis Charmes in
the Journal dos DebAts. Translated from the French.
Mons. dc varigny is not ordinary traveller. The
title Of his book sufficiently indicates that ne
not content with iraversing the Sandwich Islands,
and reporting one of those superficial descriptions
in which the Imagination of the wriersuppies, very
often, observation and reflection. Fourteen years.
What not see in fourteen years Having
landed at Honolulu simple tourist in 1855, Mons
dc Varigny at first takes II over this admirable
country and visits its volcanoes, and its mountains,
sending to his friends picturesque descriptions,
which now form an important portion OF bis book.
Afier having contemplated Kilauea and crater,
the valley OF waipo and its precipices, the planta
lions, cascades rocks aud all the wonders of nature
in the tropics. Mons. de yariuy himsefto study
Ing men and their Institutions.
He hardly expected TO fud in the middle Of Poly
nesia little constitutional kingdom. blossominE
like flower in the midst of the waste of waters, and
in climate where savage barbarism rcigned less
than a century ago. This unexpected spectacle de
tanned Nous. de Variguy some days,-dnys length
ened into years,-and by living with the kanakas,
Mons. de varigDy became kauaka himself, ming
I ling without cessation in the material and moral
struggle Of his new compatriots be took passion
D
have history aud Mons. dc Variguy has reproduced
it by means OF their traditions aud national poems.
This hospitable, Intelligent and bold people had at
tanned TO union and Independence Why should
they not have future? Is it necessary in the pro
gess OF civilization that the United States should
I conquer and absorb them? Mons dc yarigny placed
himself At the bead OF the adyersarcs OF annexation.
The confdant and friend Of liberal king, he rallied
around himself all tue partisans OF Hawaiian nation
ality. By turn, Minister of Finance, aud Foreign Ar
fairs and head OF the Cabinet, be gave TO the coun-
try new constitution, developed its wealth, gave
its commerce powerful impetus, struggling with
out relaxation against those who comprising
annexation with the great American Republic.
During fourteen years, he devoted himself unwear-
idly TO this work. Finally falling health and de-
sire to revisit France decided him take his de
parture not without hope OF returning But. in his
absence, tue king died. revolution burst out, and
national Independence compromised.
Mons. de Yariguy too far away to ward off
the peril and he has no; probably, felt the eourage
TO 20 aud repair the mistortuDes which he could not
prevent.
This is the story of Mons de Varigny 1t will ap-
pear romantic 10 most of our readers. Geography
Is so unpopular in France, that the OF the
Sandwich Islands IS scarcely known. Wepcture 10
ourselves the kannkas true savages, decked in
feathers aud aimed with bows and arrows, ready to
devour any adventurous traveller who may land upon
When the Sand wich Islands b gan to have regular
communication with Europe their population was |
about 100000 aud now, it scarcely amounts to Co.
000 The more civilization is developed, the more
the population decreases. NJ. de Varigny was /
obliged TO have recourse TO China that Immense
ervor OF human labor, to procure the hands neces-
sary to work the plantation Philosophers, anthro
biologists may trouble themselves about these ques
iions-why population decreases etc. Men OF &C /
ton cannot spare the time for their consideration.
1t may be that the attempt OF Mons. de Yarigny
prevent the absorption of the Hawaiian Archipelago
iuto the American Union is attempt to thWart a /
law of providence and that tue European races
alone fitted 10 enter upon that life of civilization
which they are spreading abroad.
From beneath the surface, in the civilized Kanaka
Citizen of constitutional government there often
protrudes the savage OF a century ago Since M.
de Yargny left the Islands bloody revolutions have
occurred When, indeed, lie was introducing his
wise reforms, he was obliged TO authority 10
induce the acceptance OF his best projects. He
could not establish the constitution and establish
the independence of the country except by Ihe
means of q cOupd'e in dismissing a con-
stitutonal assembly which was powerless and
passionate. 1t must be admitted that this same
eoupdetat is not one OF the least noble slnSulaTi-
ties Of this remarkable country. Mons. de Varigny
did not use the least violence; one was shot no
oLe was arrested; no one was bauished The next
day the clubs met usual; The newspapers treated
the ministers traitors TO the people, and assassins
without mourning the slightest punishment. Such
c0upd'etats only seen in Oceanica.
What may be the future of this small country TO
which NJ. de Varigny has devoted fourteen years Of
his activity, his Intelligence, and his youth, and
which he has made known to us in an interesting vol
ume, this struggle OF civilization against barbarism,
and OF national independence against foreign domi-
nation in remote corner Of the world, is a matter
of interest," and is not wanting in grandeur.
Mons. dc Varigny reetes his wanderings over it
with simplicity and good taste, not devoid of
emotion. He loves the Kanakas; their nationality
is dear to him. Why should anyone reproach him
with IL? Who is there among us that has not taken
the cause OF this oppressed little people to heart
As for ourselves, we have bad too much pleasure in
reading the recital of his ministerial adventures,
pity the decisions which he has allowed himself to
fall into II there is any doubt remaining in our
minds regarding the destiny of the kanakas there
Is none about tue talent of NJ. de VaIigBy,-about
the sincerity of his convictions, and of the political
qualities of which he gave proof in the government
Of the Sandwich Islands We cannot pretend at this
distance to Judge of the details ofhis administrations
but it is easy, with the Almanac de GOtba in hand TO
prove undeniably the progress which he has caused
In commerce. and the good order which he has in
troduced into the finances. There few men
among US who spread abroad the influence of The
French name. NJ de Varigny has done It; and
whether he las completely succeeded in his work
Or not, be has obtained results which do honor to
bis enterprsiDg character, and to his bold and
yetic spirit.
We are not able TO give the whole of Mons Chas.
Charmes first-rate notice of NJ de VarignY's book,
lud We have therefore, limited ourselves to furnish
ng our readers with an account of what NJ. de Va
-gny did for US while he was residing among US,
is Mons. Charmes has learned from NJ. de Vargny,s
book. Let us hope that he will soon take courage
o return, aud repair the misfortunes to which his
Ibsenee has subjected u.s. II he could know that
he Lackawanna is here now, although under diff
erent commander, the sound of her name would
probably bring him back without delay to the scene
" his glory and sefsacrifee