Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-12-03
A PICTURE FOR PITY2

When we behold the spectacle of n mat
naturally endowed with, at least, ordinary
mental capabilities, and with such capabilities
improved beyond tho common standard by a
liberal and diversified education and the ad-
vantages of travol, and yot find him solf-placed
in nm abicct attitude supplicating for tho re-
spect he should he ablo to command, we may
well Judge that tho consciousness of personal
degradation exhibited il a real index to u Ger
tain bascness of character which cannot but
have shaped former acts, upon which his pros
ent ultra servile conduct is dependent. But
when we find such a man "bcnt DER with
age" and with silvered locks (Which condi-
tion should bring rcspecD at once appealing
to the basest passions of the rabbe, aud incit-
ins them to war with An imaginary foe, and
at tho same time, with the persistent lispings
of the craven. fawuinS upon the royal ear for
favors, an imposing picture for contempt, il
not for pity, il presented indeed and one
which cannot fail to call forth in tho minds of
such as are the subjects of his adu,tion, the
same feeling OF mstrust and aversion which
has made him m Ishmaol among his fellows,
anu has served to thwart him in his dreams of
place and power.
Stable government, and tho respect of roy
atty entertained by the best oi subjects, in not
to be fostered or enhanced by u selection of
counseors such AZ this, however woll it may
suit q handful of the same feather; and tho
wisdom OF prince il shown in proportion US
he would slnn such conpanionship, and the
h,ttcry, that for its own purpose, would be-
guile him into conduct as unwse and extrava-
giant a. the ut,eranoes are baseloss in fact and
false in coloring.
Flattcry a, best 10 hut an insult to common
we'll tho quality Of tho understanding he would
assail, ani only makes it sross, as he osteems
that understanding less.
We're we able to look back upon the record
ed life of such man, wc would probably lind
il itcheckored with Inconsistencies, aud bare Of
results to himself OF others and with pros
pect lsssenng in brlliancy with his advance
IN years. Will, years he ia better known, aud
AS he is better known, less trusted. IL tho
vigor and vivacity of youth, fortified by mental
sniowments and liberal culture. have failed to
distinguish him among his kind AS other than
dabstcr in low intrigues, from which he has
emerged sullied but not enriched. marked but
without prestige, we have little reason to look
to the accomplishment in hi. old aye OF any
thing either great or honorable. That he
might have prostitu,ed religion tor secular
benefit would be in no wise inconsistent with
the tenor OF his character; or that his politics
should he narrowed to the sphere of selfish
ness otherwise Than what would be expected.
And il ia no wonder, il in his desperation, We
should lind him loud in his own praise, anl
the condemnation Of snch Ne would judge
him by msri, and not by words. Impotsn,, by
the very nature Of the case, in any reasonable
Qualification Of his character Of apostate and
turneoat in all his secular or sscerdolsl rsls-
tions. j, 10 natural he shoald at last resort TO
pAthos in an assumption VI tho role VI martyr