The National tribune., 1891-04-16

sec no reason why they should not do so. Sim
iiarly they furnish their houses beautifully
aud So ca the floor
Human flesh as an article Of food has been
discontinued bui dried doFs-meat has not, nor
sour taro -four bread, nor kava whose sednc-
tions still maintain doubtful struggle with
the
ALLURnIENTs OF ALCOHOL
IL the ancient iIinas, or temples dedicated
20 human sacrifices, the sacred chapels Of the
Moral aud their sanctuaries (Pahouua) have
fallen into ruin, Hawaiian churches in very
many instances are approaching tie same con-
dition. They have half forgotten the old faith,
and cannot realize the new one
Were 10 possible for modern Christian mis-
siouaries 10 work miracles such as commonly
embroidered the career OF their predecessors in
the Geld during earlier times, il might have
been otherwise; but rs IL Is natural laws have
continued TO operate without opposition, and
the only living. active belief of the people is
in their cOnjurors. Shammism, the doctrine
Of charms, eXorcism, witchciaft, Of ghosts, and
indwellng spirits in all things, is a recognized
and well understood phase OF religions develop
neut eFerywhcrr, aud the kBnallas have never
fOl beyond It, Physicians and ministers and
scientific societies all az which have attempted
TO supplant these convictions have failed, and
for the best OF all reasons, namely, that IL Is
I
can represent 10 themselves.
A small fraction Of native Sandwich Island
ers have been more OF less completely vcnecred
with foreign culture The rest are essentially
AS they were before it was introduced. They
are dying out more rapidly than all other Poly
nesians partly on account OF the evil that has
been done them and partly on account Of the
good.
From the former because the effects Of new
ri Of .rfa 4 In
and degenerstious 10 which they give rise are
far more fatal when acting upon constitutions
previously unprepared by the multitOld expert
ences that have beiallcn less isolated aggre-
gates aud peoples whose continued existence
implies a successful conflict with a variety OF
causes
INInChL TO LIFE.
From the latter, inasmuch as good intentions
md the purcst motives afford no criteria by
which 20 judge OF the consequences which
those who act in accordance with them may
bring about by their conduct.
IL hae been shown that all that English aid
and honesty aud assiduty could accomplish
for the New Iealandcrs only accelerated their
fate Apart from any specifically morbid in
fiuences involved IN race contact and apart
from the increased difficulties which the srug-
gle for existence presents when its aims OBJ
iecis, aud apparently essential appliances be-
come more complex, more remote, aud less
easy Of attainment, unseen hnt potent agencies
sap vitality when Intellectual attempts are
made al adjustment
These can only be indicated in the most gen
oral way, hut they are well worthy Of cunsid-
GRAFTON by all who have come 10 see that his
t0riCa events are but links IN a chain Of oc-
CurTcncos that necessarily follow each othe.
and that legislation can create nothing. since
It's success in any direction must depend upon
the fact that the statute gives shape, and this
only 10 what already existed before u was
framed.
There are tribes upon the earth which il is
scarcely figure Of speech 20 say arc diving Of
mental distress that has dcepcned 10 despair
Dependency always dpurcssgs vital force, and
when d becomes continuous and extreme,
every function uron which life depends must
fail. Such instances are, however, very ex-
ceptional For The most part dccaying saw
age group Is 10 more afflicted by the conscious
ness that il is failing than 50 many children
would be by the announcement that some fatal
hereditary disease existed IN their families.
As in other men, cheerlulaess is largely the
RESULT OF TEMPERAMENT.
IL depends more upon inward suggestions
than upon their surroundings. Additionally,
the prevailing pas-iyity, phlegm aud tacilumity
OF unevOiyed races is the natural result Of
thoir condition. IN which but an infntcsimal
sion upon their minds
Sandwich Islanders have been described SO
often and in books that are accessible 10 every
one, that preference LAS been given here 10
facts which are not generally known. There
Is no characteristic difference between their cul-
tuTc. tie appliances OF their everyday life
and the religious ideas which prevail among
them, and the same elements already outlined
In treating Of other FQlynrsiaHs.
Most native devices aud inventions are also
rapidly giving place 10 those introduced by
foreigners. SO that Il may be expected that the
last remnants o. the population will be very
generally civilized SO far as outward appear
ancus and possessions arc concerned Ia the
meantime they are an entirely serene well
COuteHtGd and generally WORTHLESS set Of sin.
ncrs, who have been seized up0a so 10 sneak.
and provided with formulas which arc as un-
fitted 10 them as the war clubs, tattoo and
vegetable cloth cloalzs OF their warriors would
be 10 their Instructors
IL Improvement IN any direction is 10 lie
permanent and progressive IL must begin below
not above. No teacher can create faculty. no
laws or institutions alter The relations which
have gradually grown up between human be-
ings, their country aud their fellow-creaturcs.
These, OF course, Hre very various for every
reason. and il might happen that rational
teaching aud example would produce tho most
beneficial results.
Our own continent, we shall see hereafter,
affords in the Mission Indians striking exam
pies of the ephemeral character OF an exotic
culture. The great difficulty in the way Of
doing good 10 people who eau only assimilate
mental alimCut 81 a certain character seems to
be that the praisrw0r7hy persons who devote
themselves 10 their improvement evidently DO
not belicye that there are any such things rs
laws ofuature. III they could be persuaded Of
The reality Of these agencies. aud would learn
what they were very considerable change in
the plan OF campaign against saVggcry might
be expected 10 follow the acquisition Of that
knowledge.