The sun., 1893-11-26

thither shortly after 1870 TO assist the
American missionaries already established
there. At that time polygsmy prevailed
among the chiefs and rulers, Mr.. ELLIS tells
us, infanticlde was practised 10 some eX-
! tent. the idolatrous religious rites were
cruel and bloody. the habits Of the people
we're extremely licentlous. men living with
several wives and women with several
husbands. and feminine virtue was 80 COM
pletely unknown that there is no word for
It In the native language.
This debased eavagery has been trans
formed into comparative decency by the
self sacrificing efforts OF the Christian mis-
slonaries In the Sandwich Islands, chiefly
missionaries sent out at the expense Of
pious self-sacrtfce on the part OF American
Christians. The natives have been con-
verted. and the Hawaiian Islands are now
added TO the domain of Christendom.
OF all the triumphs of missionary
enterprise this successful propagation OF
Christianity among degraded and cannl-
balistic savages is the most signal. It is a
victory for which Christian piety through
out America renders unceasInR homage 10
Almighty COP. The conversion OF the
Sandwich Islands is the brightest page
In the annals OF missionary devotion:
and II 1t has been Offset to some ex-
tent by the propagation Of vice simulta-
neously imported from Christian countries
and readily adopted by the vicious Hawai-
ians. that is only deplorable result which
always follows the extension OF civilization.
Moreover. Christian missions have made
these fertile and beautiful islands servicea-
BILE TO the outside world. They have given
to them n written language. They have
built up In them churches, schoolhousoe,
system Of enlightened jurisprudence,
social order. systematic industry, and a
large and valuable commerce. They have
introduced the blessings of civilization, to
the great benefit OF the Hawaians them
selves and Of the whole civilized world.
They have transformed a useless commu-
nifty into people useful to humanity.
These heroic missionaries. illustrious as
the founders of a civilized State. are now
derided as "the missionary party" In tho
Sandwich Islands. as aliens. flibusters.
cheats. and liars. The missionaries
sons" who have inherited the indomitable
perseverance OF their progenitors and
expended It In improving the social
and material condition OF the islands,
are spoken Of as II their descent were
dishonorable. The successful revolution by
which they overthrew throne inherited
from savagery. is described as base con-
spiracy. The dethronement OF debauched |
and lawlesss Queen. in whom are manifested
traits OF her licentious cannibal ancestry. is |
proclaimed as O piece OF moral turpitude. |
for which this great republic must make |
amends by again placing the crown on her |
fat head
This mere statement OF the case is |
enough to stir the American people to re-
sentiment against a proposition 80 outra-
geous. 1t is enough to rouse the indlg-
nant and implacable opposition Of Amer
lean Christianity. Our brethren. Ameri-
cans and Christians like ourselves,
have redeemed the Hawaiian Islands
from the desolatlon OF savagery and
the obstruction Of the monarchcal
domination Of dissolute chiefs Of saw
age descent. and this Govern ment lis
tens to proposals that their heroism shall
be rewarded by depriving them Of the fruits
OF their courage and perseverance at the
expense Of the exercise OF its military and
diplomatic power
The suggestions and inferences Of the
report OF Secretary GRESHAM on the Hawai-
Ian question are an insult to American SEN
timent. The assumptions Of Mr.. BLoUNr's
report that the American missionaries and
the sons OF the American missionaries are
base conspirators and vile filibusters un-
worthy OF American respect are themselves
utterly base and vile. Unhappily for his
he was commissioned and con-
ditioned to perpetrate such an outrage on
truth and American honor.