The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-10-24
REPLY TO MR. GRlBBLE.

EDITOR BULLETIN:-In your issue
of the Summary of the 10th appear
ed an article from the pen of MIR.
Gribble on the Chinese Question
and you seemed so we'll satisfied
with its thoughtfulness and ability
as to dismiss the subject from your
columns. May 1 suggest that con-
troversy thus far has assumed more
the form of passage at arms be-
tween individuals than real discus
sion and that Mr.. G.. has rather
opened than closed the debate.
Considering the intense feeling
prevailing, the articles over Chinese
signatures are characterized rather
by impudence and brazen effron-
terry than good sense. The filings
at Caucasian civilization are un-
worthy of reply. That Tom Dow,
Chun Sing, and other Celestials are
so we'll satisfied with Chinese habits
and customs does not disturb the
complacency of the enlightened
world. The self-conceit and affect
ed superiority of the Chinese nation
have ever been bar to its progress,
and have, of necessity, arrayed
other intelligent nations against it.
Mr.. Tom Dow's threat as to what
China may do, in case of any ag-
gressiveS action on our part, falls
fiat, for we are led to reflect not
only how disastrous the ill will of
that country may be but also how
valueless its friendship really is.
White advocates of the Chinese
are not wanting Mr.. P. c. Jones
announces his convictions in a man
ner to challenge our respect for his
independence, but he fails to adj
duce reasons for their general adop-
tion.. Rev. S. E. Bishop takes q
benign and heavenly view of the
subject adapted to review in reli-
gious journals only. And now
comes Mr.. Gribble to close the argu-
ment. 1t is to be regretted that q
pen so facile should be welded in
support of conclusions so fallacious.
He deplores the woeful folly of the
Colonies and bewails the possible
consequences to the English carry
ing trade should wrath cause the
Celestial hair to stand on end. Was
it made a condition of commerce
with China that Australia should be
overrun by coolies? Does Mr.. G.
seriously think that China would be
so insane as to stop commerce
through British vessels? Is the ex-
port of its surplus productions of so
little consequence to China as to be
stopped in qualification of mere
pique? In any event we should
honor the British Government for
conserving the interests of its sub
| jects rather than consulting the adj
|'vantage of the Chinese. But it is not
my purpose to quarrel with Mr..
Gribble on this point. He is an
Englishman and probably better
judge of sound English policy than
the writer of this, l will, therefore,
confine myself to discussion of the
question from a Hawaiian stand
point.
Mr.. G.'s ideas of self-defence and
self-preservation are decidedly un-
ique. Can there be any defence
without degree of aggression. We
will not deny Mr.. G. the rapturou;
contemplation of Chinese develop
ment of mines abandoned by white
men. He is at liberty to revel in
ecstasy on the fact that Chinamer
can flourish where white men would
starve. Carrion crows subsist or
food which nobler birds scorn, ant
yet no eulogist has ever chanted
this popularity in flowing verse. L
the Chinese confined their pursuits
to fields which would not afforC
support to white men, there woulC
be no competition. But no, the,
bring their shrewdness, which Mr.
G. so much admires, into competi
tion with white labor and whit,
enterprise. And this shrewdness
when subjected to rigid analysis
proves to be not so much an intel
lectual trait as stern discipline
over the cravings of the stomach
The Chinese are justly entitled Il
the palm for this variety of shrewd
ness. 1t is not within probabilit,
that white merchants, whateve
their business capacity, will ever re
duce their prices to schedule ap
proved by Mr.. Gribble, merely t,
appease hunger with chop-sticks.
Mr.. Gribble, not coming into com
petition with the Chinese, is enable,
to take lofty and complacent viey
of the subject. So boarder at thu
: Palace Hotel picks his teeth an,
marvels at human misery.
Elsewhere Mr.. G. asserts that tn
only persons who suffer by competi
tion with Chinese are the retail
dealers. Treating the subject in tn