The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-10-22

\
beaches, that he can picture the lights
and shadows of the gulches, the fiery
richness of the foliage of the poinciana
or the wonder inches in the great can
yons. His opportunity in the line of
the latter came to him when he was
on Kauai last summer and he collared
the kindergarten and ends only with
the end of the public school system in
the High School and the Normal In
| all these grades and orders these pupils
study in the same room, sit at neigh
boring desks, recite together, play to-
gether, and finally graduate on the
same day, and from the same plat
| form.
The essential and significant thing
and it is, l believe, very significant
to be said about this mixture or in
termixture is that this cooperation and
communion seem to work in perfect
harmony and unto efficiency. The
methods are simple and natural, and
the results seem to be satisfactory to
every one. The only note of criticism
and perhaps it should not be called
criticisms a remark made to me by
the principal of the high school, Mr.
| NJ. M. Scott, who was one of the or
ganizers of the public-school system
of Japan, to the effect that the Amer
lean boys are not so good students as
the Asiatic. In mastering the Latin
grammar, for instance, the Asiatic ones
are better than the Anglo-Saxon. Mr..
Scott has borne public testimony to
| the excellence of the Chinese, saying:
"As students l find the Chinese Young
men truthful, persistent, courteous to
their companions, and deferential to
their teachers. I believe that their
average capacity is equal to that of
their white brethren. Their power of
application far exceeds that of Amer
lean youth. This power, coupled with
their good conduct, makes them favor
ties with all teachers"
The Japanese mind is more alert than
the Chinese, and both seem to excel the
American in patience, in learning, in
continuous industry, and in eagerness
| in getting an education. "Why do you
allow these japanese and Chinese to
beat you2" was asked of body of
American boys by their teacher in the
Honolulu High School. ooh! we can t
help it; they just study all the time;
they take no recess"
A REMARKABLE TRIBUTE.
President Griffiths of Oahu College
gives similar evidence. saying: "They
excel in scientific and mathematical
subjects requiring accuracy rather
than breadth of view or imagination.
l. In conduct they are exemplary
They are Industrious, eager, earnest
seekers after everything that will i'm
prove them in body or in mind. There
| Is rarely any question as to their am
bition and willingness to work; when
| there is failure it is usually due to
conditions beyond their control-the
lack of ability or training sufficient
for the task, or to inherited tendencies
too strong to be overcome. Among
our students it is now generally con-
ceded that in every competition,
whether in the athletic field or in the
| classroom, or in contests in speaking,
| they are factors to be reckoned with"
Principal Wood of the Normal school
"a school housed in a most comely
| structure-has commended to me the
| Chinese and the Chinese-Hawaiians
both as students and teachers. The
| Ch1nese-Hawaiian mixture is one re-
ceived with much favor at the school,
| teacners desk. The pure Chinese
teacher is in peril of over-severity; the
pure Hawaiian of over-indulgence. The
union OF the two races gives force
without harshness and graciousness
without laxity. This union, too, seems
to be one which is bringing forth ex
cellent results outside the schoolroom.
| A comparison of the methods and
results of the public school of the
1 go loiduuS anu Oh the CITY OF
san Francisco seems TO be not a COM
parfson, but contrast. The reason
is not far to seek, at least in its super
hcial relations. Be it said that the
Chinese who come to Hawaii are from
the same section Of China as those
who come to the coast-Canton and its
province. The reason lies in the SIM
pie fact that on the islands the Chi
nese have been received with kind
ness and hospitality. and in early times
Win omcial welcomes; on the main
land they have been received by manv
of the people with suspicion. and aloof,
ness. with aversion, revulsion. ana
finally with expulsion. The evidence
is that If the Chinese be given a fair
cnance, ne viii prove himself WORTHY
Oh becoming an American citizen.