Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-04-29
The Native Press.
fFrom me Ruoloa.1

IRON Me hnOkOd
TBr LIQuoR QuEsTIos.-One of tho principal
subjects now talked Of by the people Of this city
and which will come before the approaching ses-
sion Of the Legislature, is the Liquor Question
Whether to remove all restrictions on the traffic.
to prohibit absolutely its sale 10 any person in
the Kingdom; these are two measures now being
talked of, and which of them to choose will be the
question for our legislators.
The evils that have been inflicted upon this
country through liquor are evident. Incidence,
poverty and death, these arc the offspring of
drunkenness. FROM this one cause has resulted
many murders. Our readers have to-day before
their eyes the plain evidences Of the injuries now
being done to the nation by this one cause, and
they can easily call TO mind the innumerable
national blessings that have been sacrificed to
drunkenness. The evil has grown 10 great magni-
tudc, and it would seom that If the people do not
destroy IT, it will destroy the people. We are in
formed for instance, that in the single district Of
North Kohala, there forty different places
where liquor IN sold. IL what We hear from Hama
hua, Hawaii is true, there il n great amount of
liquor used among the people there. The same
report comes from Maui. In tho outer districts of
Oahu, gin Is openly peddled on the roads. There
il not probably district throughout the country
of this condition Of thingsf Right before eyes,
murder, idleness, poverty and death are destroying
the people, by means OF drunkenness. This enemy
must BIO conquered, or else 1t will conquer the
country.
Tho new law which thoughtful people among
foreigners and natives propose respecting liquor,
Is to absolutely prohibit the Importation, manu-
facure sale in this Kingdom of any Intoxicating
liquor. This Is high position which is assumed
by the friends of Hawaii and If such law can be
enacted and thoroughly enforced, the good results
will be seen, in good order, prosperity and the
health and increase of the people. II will be tho
beginning OF new era, one OF unexampled pros
perity for the nation il the destructive power of
Intoxicating drink can DO banished from this
country.
There are two points greatly depended ON by tho
rst is that iii the law Is made, II cannot be en-.
forced !" and the second, that the enactment Of
law prohibiting the importation of liquors would
deprive the government OF u large amount of in.
come, derived from duties and license fees
1t IL true that law Is of value unless 1t il en-
forced. But let us not hastily assume that wise
laws cannot be enforced in this country, for that
would be placing very poor estimate upon our
regard for law. IL our government Ii unable to
carry cut the laws enacted for the protection Of
ss az ua Of rs s then ma
country on the face OF the globe IN which good
laws are easier Of execution than in these Hawaiian
Islands Small in area; widely separated from
other countries, with their many disturbing infu-
ences; and above all, inhabited by race that has
always been noted for its tractabencss its quiet
and orderly characlSr. u wholesome laws are not
cainof be executed, but because those whose duty
| Il Is do rot desire to do SO.
| The second argument adduced by tho opponents
OF prohibition, that the government treasury viii
run short OF money by the adoption OF such a
measure, has in our opinion, no weight whatever.
/ H. however, there should BE- somewhat Of falling
Oh IN the receipts OF tho treasury 1t would be made
up more than sevenfold by the increased prosperi-
| " of the whole country, the comfort, good order
and wealth Of the people Is money in the treasu.
Of more Importance than the poacs aud the lives Of
, the people? Is tho government instituted for the
| purpose Ut revenue only, without regard TO the
| wel[-boipg Vt its poopleY The government u fol
the people, and the province Of the government Il