The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-02-19
Lecture on Japan.

We take pleasure in laying before our
readers the text of the admirable lecture on
the laborer in Japan, delivered by Col. Van
Buren, last Monday evening in the hall of
the Y. N. G. A. building. Its length pre-
vents our publishing ir in full. in one issue
of the DAILY ADVERTISER, but it Will be re-
produced entire in our next WEEKLY edition
of Tuesday of next week.
General Van Buren, being introduced to
his audience in a few well-chosen words
by Prof. Scott, spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen-I think the occa-
sion will warrant few words personal to
myself. L have been sufferer, as you have
been told for considerable time, by rea-
son of powerful and dangerous disease,
| having been confined to my bed for about
| three months of this season.
My physicians finally peremptorily ordered
a change and have in consequence come
to these beautiful islands and this most de-
licious climate in search of health-in
search of-complete rest from labor, from
thought, from exertion of every kind-for
that dolce .farntente which these charming
seemed to warrant me in expecting.
When we cast anchor in your bay there
fore you can imagine the pleasure with
which greeted my long known and highly
esteemed friend Professor Scott, who came
on board the steamer to meet me. 1t was
touching mark of friendship on his part.
We clasped hands warmly, and looked into
each others eyes, conveying by mute signs
the electric signals of our mutual regard.
Next to Christian charity and benevOlence
there Is, think, no virtue more touching
and interesting than friendship Hardly,
however, had the tingling of his grasp left
my fingers, before L hadI time to wipe the
moisture from my eyes, when my friend
clasped me by the arm and said, 81 have
booked you for talk ''There is most
worthy institution here, free library and
reading room, with which am connected,
and which 1 know you will appreciate.
Well, we need friends, and the people here
want to know about Japan; and, in short I
want you to give US a benefit" But" 1
said. my dear friend, came here not to
talk-I came here to be still, and refrain
from thought or exertion." 'Ah," said he,
talking, my dear General, will be sure to
cure you. Talking is the great panacea
here for all complaints. Try it, and you
will recover from your troubles as if by
magic This proposition struck me as
startling in the highest degree. He added:
you must try it. 1t will be a certain sue
cess, and I cannot take q denial Well, l
was not convinced, but bethought me of
the experiment of that coon in one of our
Southern States who, hotly pursued by the
hunter, climbed into tree, and peering
below: ''Is your name Scott?' eyes"
"What, Captain Scott2" ''Yes.' ''What,
the celebrated shootist?'' yes ''Wen,
don't shoot; I'll come down" And so L
surrendered, and reluctantly consented; but
upon essaying to call upon my powers, I
found that my long illness had SO affected
my memory that words would not come at
command, and therefore I determined not
to use the remedy to any great extent. Mr..
Scott had told me it was not necessary to
think. I need only talk, but in justice to you,
I should say that he added that L was thor
| oughly acquainted with my subject, or
ought to be- 1t is true have lived in Japan
| nearly eleven years, and have seen and
! thought and written considerably concern
| ing her people, and now instead of ventur-
| ing upon extempore talking which is my
wont, shall crave your indulgence while ]
read some extracts from report made to
my Government few years since, upon the
| People and the Labor of Japan, The state.
| ments of this report, believe, may be re-
| lied upon. Much time and industry were
| spent in its compilation, and it has so com
mended itself as to have been in consider
| able demand, and has been translated into
various languages. Says the poet, 1.-The
| noblest study of mankind is man." and
| make no doubt that one of the most inter
esting topics of discourse between man and
| man is information concerning the habits
mode of life. industries and sport of our
fellow creatures in far-off lands. Permi
me to open with the very first paragraph o.
| my report, which hold in my hand in bool
form, in which form it was published by &
large English newspaper firm in the East, to
| supply the demand.
In all historic times the subject of labor
and the condition of the laborer have been
Of the first Importance. In later ages
since trade and commerce have multiplied
population, increased wealth, and accumu
lated capital in few hands, the ques tior
has been complicated by that of the rela
tons which should exist between capita
and labor; and now that steam and cleo
tlicity are bringing all nationalities anC
races into close and active competition, tn,
subject has received fresh Importance.
In the eouR tries of the civilized world thi
topic is agitating the public mind, and is be
ing discussed in the halls of legislation, il
the busy marts of trade, OH the great none,
changes, in the homes of artizans, and il
the huts and novels of the humbIest toilors
All systems of government and all organiza
tions of society on every continent and OIL
the far of islands of the ocean are disturbed
by this question and it's portending conflict
In view Of this full, accurate and com
prehensiYe account Of the condition of tn