The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-05-08

About two years ago polite society
was much shocked by disclosures made
public about certain district Iwi-
lei.'' A great deal was said, much
written, but nothing done.
A few weeks ago this hydra of in
iquity, this destroyer of health, lives,
and morals, again showed forth this
time something was done-but meas
ures only were taken to prohibit its
Capitalization.
Two most excellent articles by Prof.
Kelly and DR.. Day, respectively, ap-
peared on the subject, dealing with
every side of the question, and making
very clear the fact that legislative
measures are inadequate, and only per-
sonal responsibility and education on
the subject would be of avail. This
was virtually the last heard on the
subject as far as the public was con-
cerned. The question naturally arises
can we afford to allow this matter
to go into desuetude as it has done be-
fore, or are we going to arouse our
selves to action? Is it false modesty
that causes our cowardice, or are we
too INDECENT or indifferent to attack so
formidable an enemya
DR.. Day, in his article, touches the
keynote when he says Hthe remedy
must be founded on education.'' He
also speaks of certain classes hav-
ing been formed in various centers,
which might serve us as a useful sug-
gestion.
Some public funds may be required
to provide for similar advantages here,
but that is not the first consideration.
The question is, are we DESTROYS of
really promoting the growth and well
fare of the community at large, or
are we satisfied to be protected in our
own little home circle? No, the latter
cannot be the case, for this community
especially is known for its WIDE philan-
thropies, the civilized and heather
near and far eliciting their interest
it must be found elsewhere
Temerity must be the cause of this
continued inaction. The subject
seems so lnscrutable. so extensive, that
we grow faint-hearted even before the
attack against it is attempted. But
the greater is the reason WHY we
should armor ourselves with courage
and knowledge, determining to van
quish the enemy.
Evil centralized is by no means
mostly to be dreaded-it is the I'M
speakable condition existing among
the aristocracy, who have ever been
law unto themselves. These. and the
very poor, through their purposeless
life, - furnish the bulk of material
with one exception) that keeps the
courts and gossips busy. This excep-
tion is divorces. The divorce courts
disclose the fact that domestic insta-
bility in the United States prevails
chiefly, not among the poor nor among
the foreign born, or the Woodworking
class, but among the ambitious, com
mereialized, migratory middle class of
native-born Americans
One evil can hardly be taken into
consideration alone. for the various
forms of vice are usually traceable to
one common source. This hot-bed of
corruption, that gives sustenance to
the Evil under discussion, intern
perance, and crime of every descrip-
ton, is selfshness. Selfshness is
weakness, and, from first to last. the
cause of our misery. The sense of sep
arateness prevents us from ENJOYING
the untold blessings all about us. and
it is also the cause of the modern COM