The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-01-20
THE PACIFIC
Commercial ADVERTISER .

SATURDAY ..........--.JA JANUARY 20. 1888
( THE Government in carrying ouf the ar
rangement FOR the of the corona
ton proposes to deal with it as an oppor-
tunity for giving more decided expression to
a national spirit. Whilst the great powers
of the world have thought proper to recog-
nize this Kingdom and its Independence,
and to respect both its diplomatic repre-
sentatiOn abroad and its official organization
at home in the same way and measure as
they respect those of other and larger States,
it has been too much the habit of the people
living here to sneer at our small Kingdom
as not worthy of any sort of consideration.
This Government, feeling thai its views
have their support in this broad and gener-
Gus recognition, has been, and, we trust,
continues to be animated by feelings natural
to a truly patriotic Government, and seeks
to lead the nation in every way to appre-
ciate the good will of other powers who de-
sire to nave this State live on, and carry out
its political being and policy.
In connection with this, and with the
special ceremonial which is now being pre-
pared as an eminent national act. Il matter
arises which, though it may in itself be
0hN 7'S9gi 10 VI
great force and value, and must necessarily
be considered and arranged for with care.
This is the question of the precedence of in
dividuals within the realm. This is in a
sense entirely a new thing here. The old
national order of things is past and gone,
and everything has to be reconstructed in
accordance with the ideas which have grown
up and continue to prevail in European
~rnkf IT,urrs.- -.
principles to the last point of detail, has to
be examined into and settled. There is adj
vantage as well as disadvantage in the fact
that no established order has heretofore ex-
listed. Whilst it IS well that in preparing to
deal with the subject we should study the
accepted etiquette of the old States of the
world, yet our freedom from all established
customs and the absence of orders, ranks,
and privileged classes, such as have grown
up in Europe, leaves the ground COMPARE
lively clear and the task of initiating a set
tied order of things less difficult. AT the
same time good judgment is undoubtedly
needed in the arrangement of such a matter
as the establishment of a due order in the
relations of the people one to another.
At the first glance ii may seem beneath
the views of a sensible man to care much
where he shall stand or sit in any company,
so long as he substantially sees what he de-
sires to see or otherwise successfully attains
the object for which he is there present.
Nevertheless insour social intercourse one
with another we are very careful to recog-
nize that men and women do care about
such things, and that nothing more readily
leads to GOODNESS and estrangement and
sometimes to actual quarrels than a neglect
of points of etiquette, and of that Difference
which others expect from us or from those
we bring them in contact with. And within
the breast of every one there lies a touchy
consciousness of his or her own proper merit
and position" which is quite consistent
with the most common sense and matter
Of fact characters. This is the funda-
mental fact of human nature which
gives precedence " its placejn social and
official arrangements all the world over.
The sense within US of what is due to Others,
though it be founded on the selfish sense of
what Is due to ourselves, is undoubtedly a
grace of character, and one of the most
effective sources of g-raciousness in conduct
Thus it will be seen that the observance of
etiquette in matters of precedence is not an
empty form, but a pTopriety of conduct die
tated by a natural and creditable feeling.
After the first consideration has been given
to what is due to others, the next is GER
tainly a prope and even jealous, care for
what is due to ones self. Want OF self
respect is universally recognized as a great
weakness of character, and as the cause of
much shipwreck in life, and the index in
variably of some low and downward ten
denotes in its subject. Moreover, no man
exists for himself alone, and each is bound
to maintain the best position he can for the
sake of those with whom his life is linked,
even if he know no closer links than mere
eompanionship. Still more necessary is a
jealous regard for position on the part of
him who occupies any official or repre-
sentative position. Those who represent the
Interests of others must not fail to regard
not merely these interests, but also the feel
ings and p%rejudices of their principals.
Thus it will be evident that a sensible
man will find il important to give attention
to etiquette-to attend to his proper posi-
ton, and to see that it is accorded to others.
Great and enlightened Governments have
solemnly decided questions of precedence
by Acts of Parliament. 1t has happened
that, in a meeting of Ministers and Diplo-
mats, the question has been discussed not
merely of priority of position, but even of
priority of mention. Probably precedence
in this country will not require such serious
handling. 1t Is, we think, a matter that is
evidently within the prerogative of the
King. No doubt His Majesty, with his en-
lightened views, and in the light of expe-
rience gained in so many great countries,
will, with the assistance of his Cabinet.
settle this simple, but important, matter.
We hope that when once defined, everyone
will be found satisfied with and ready to
accept his plan.
TIL Lancet has discovered n new source of