Template:504-505 - Revision history

Ken Conklin at 20:07, 26 December 2005

2005-12-26T20:07:21Z

Jere Krischel at 18:07, 11 December 2005

2005-12-11T18:07:41Z

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504 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
to become the adviser of the chiefs, but declined. At all events, Mr.
Richards was wholly unsuccessful. On his return, the position of the
chiefs being none the less embarrassing, compelled them to apply to the
mission for aid. Without any definite action of their body, they commenced
that system which by the natural course of events has led to
the direct employment of several of their number—having first been
disconnected from their ranks—in the service of the Government. Foreigners
were required in public affairs. The chiefs chose those on whom
they could most rely, and whatever may have been their errors of judgment,
the result has shown that they were not mistaken in relying upon
their zeal and fidelity: and it may be well be doubted whether, at that
time, the Kingdom furnished men more suitable, from knowledge and
experience with the people and foreigners to administer to its wants.
The history of the policy they adopted will be traced to the period of
its present development.
" The mission and their seceders were united in their views to build
up a nation of Hawaiians distinct from all foreign influence. The following
resolutions, taken from the missionary minutes for 1838, show
the just views entertained at this date:
" llst Besolved, That though the system of government in the Sandwich
Islands has, since the commencement of the reign of Liholiho,
been greatly improved through the influence of Christianity, and the
introduction of written and printed laws and the salutary agency of
Christian chiefs has proved a great blessing to the people; still, the
system is so very imperfect for the management of the affairs of a civilized
and virtuous nation as to render it of great importance that correct
views of the rights and duties of rulers and subjects, and of the
principles of jurisprudence and political economy, should be held up
before the King and the members of the national council.
"' 2d Besolved, That it is the duty of the missionaries to teach the
doctrine that rulers should be just, ruling in the fear of God, seeking
the best good of their nation, demanding no more of subjects, as such,
than the various ends of the Government may justly require; and if
church members among them violate the commands of God they
should be admonished with the same faithfulness and tenderness in
their dependents.
" '3rd Besolved, That rulers in power are so by the province of God,
and in an important sense by the will or consent of the people, and
ought not to resign or shrink from the cares and responsibilities of
their offices; therefore, teachers of religion ought carefully to guard
the subjects against contempt for the authority of their rulers, or any
evasion or resistance of government orders, unless they plainly set at
defiance the commands of God.
" l4th Besolved, That the resources of the nation are at is own disposal
for its defense, improvement, and perfection, and subjects ought to be
taught to feel that a portion of their time and services, their property
or earnings, may rightfully be required by the sovereign or national
council for the support of government in all its branches and departments,
and that it is a Christian duty to render honor, obedience, fear,
custom, and tribute to whom they are due, as taught in the 13th of
Romans, and that the sin of disloyalty, which tends to confusion, anarchy,
and ruin, deserves reproof as really and as promptly as that of
injustice on the part of rulers or any other violation of the commands
of God.'
" '5th Besolved, That rulers should be allowed to do what they will
with their own, or with what they have a right to demand; we ought
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 50p
to encourage the security of the right of subjects also to do what they
will with tbeir own, provided they render to Caesar his due.'
'•' 6th Besolved, That rulers ought to be prompted to direct their
efforts to the promotion of general intelligence and virtue as a grand
means of removing the existing evils of the system, gradually defining
and limiting by equitable laws the rights and duties of all classes,
that thus by improving rather than revolutionizing the Government,
its administration may become abundantly salutary, and the hereditary
rulers receive no detriment but corresponding advantage.'
"' 7th Besolved, That to remove the improvidence and imbecility of the
people, and promote the industry, wealth, and happiness of the nation,
it is the' duty of the mission to urge mainly the motives of loyalty,
patriotism, social kindness, and general benevolence; but, while on
the one hand he should not condemn their artificial wants, ancient or
modern, because they depend on fancy, or a taste not refined, he
should, on the other, endeavor to encourage and multiply such as
will enlist their energies, call forth ingenuity, enterprise, and patient
industry, and give scope for enlarged plans of profitable exertion,
which, if well directed, would clothe the population in beautiful cottons,
fine linen, and silk, and their arable fields with rich and various
productions suited to the climate; would adorn the land with numerous
comfortable, substantial habitations, made pleasant by elegant
furniture, cabinets, and libraries; with permanent and well endowed
school houses and seminaries, large, commodious, and durable churches,
and their seas and harbors with ships owned by natives sufficient to
export to other countries annually the surplus products of their soil,
which may, at no very distant period, amount to millions.
lil8th Besolved, That we deem it proper for members of this mission
to devote a portion of their time to instructing the natives into the
best method of cultivating their lands, and of raising flocks and herds,
and of turning the various products of the country to the best advantage
for the maintenance of their families, the support of government
and of schools, and the institutions of the gospel and its ministers,
at home and abroad.'"
"Mr. Richards entered upon his official duties by delivering to the
chiefs a course of lectures on political economy and the general science
of government. From the ideas thus derived, based upon their old
forms, a constitution was drawn up. Although greatly limiting their
power, the chiefs passed it unanimously.
"The laws of the Kingdom were carefully revised and published. In
comparison with the past the progress of the nation was now rapid.
The liberal policy of other nations, and whatever of their forms could
with propriety be here transplanted, were embodied in the new
statutes, but on a scale commensurate with the feebleness of youth of
the people. The penal code was greatly improved; primary and courts
of appeal established; the jury system adopted. Provision was made
for the more regular enforcement of debt—transmission of property,
property in trust, interest in accounts, in short sufficient was done
greatly to benefit the position of natives and foreigners. Taxation was
rendered more equal and lighter. Encouragement was proffered to
industry and to the increase of population. An enlightened publicschool
system was organized. Their laws, imperfect as they may seem
to the critical eyes of a superior civilization, were yet in advauceof the
people. But wherever they were allowed to operate fairly and systematically
much good was effected, and they served to prepare the way
for more important changes.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
+{{p|504}}
 to become the adviser of the chiefs, but declined. At all events, Mr.
-Richards was wholly unsuccessful. On his return, the position of the
+to become the adviser of the chiefs, but declined. At all events, Mr. Richards was wholly unsuccessful. On his return, the position of the chiefs being none the less embarrassing, compelled them to apply to the mission for aid. Without any definite action of their body, they commenced that system which by the natural course of events has led to the direct employment of several of their number—having first been disconnected from their ranks—in the service of the Government. Foreigners were required in public affairs. The chiefs chose those on whom they could most rely, and whatever may have been their errors of judgment, the result has shown that they were not mistaken in relying upon their zeal and fidelity: and it may be well be doubted whether, at that time, the Kingdom furnished men more suitable, from knowledge and experience with the people and foreigners to administer to its wants. The history of the policy they adopted will be traced to the period of its present development.
 chiefs being none the less embarrassing, compelled them to apply to the
-mission for aid. Without any definite action of their body, they commenced
+"The mission and their seceders were united in their views to build up a nation of Hawaiians distinct from all foreign influence. The following resolutions, taken from the missionary minutes for 1838, show the just views entertained at this date:
 that system which by the natural course of events has led to
-the direct employment of several of their number—having first been
+" ' ''1st Resolved'', That though the system of government in the Sandwich Islands has, since the commencement of the reign of Liholiho, been greatly improved through the influence of Christianity, and the introduction of written and printed laws and the salutary agency of Christian chiefs has proved a great blessing to the people; still, the system is so very imperfect for the management of the affairs of a civilized and virtuous nation as to render it of great importance that correct views of the rights and duties of rulers and subjects, and of the principles of jurisprudence and political economy, should be held up before the King and the members of the national council.
 disconnected from their ranks—in the service of the Government. Foreigners
-were required in public affairs. The chiefs chose those on whom
+" ' ''2d Resolved'', That it is the duty of the missionaries to teach the doctrine that rulers should be just, ruling in the fear of God, seeking the best good of their nation, demanding no more of subjects, as such, than the various ends of the Government may justly require; and if church members among them violate the commands of God they should be admonished with the same faithfulness and tenderness in their dependents.
 they could most rely, and whatever may have been their errors of judgment,
-the result has shown that they were not mistaken in relying upon
+" ' ''3rd Resolved'', That rulers in power are so by the province of God, and in an important sense by the will or consent of the people, and ought not to resign or shrink from the cares and responsibilities of their offices; therefore, teachers of religion ought carefully to guard the subjects against contempt for the authority of their rulers, or any evasion or resistance of government orders, unless they plainly set at defiance the commands of God.
 their zeal and fidelity: and it may be well be doubted whether, at that
-time, the Kingdom furnished men more suitable, from knowledge and
+" ' ''4th Resolved'', That the resources of the nation are at is own disposal for its defense, improvement, and perfection, and subjects ought to be taught to feel that a portion of their time and services, their property or earnings, may rightfully be required by the sovereign or national council for the support of government in all its branches and departments, and that it is a Christian duty to render honor, obedience, fear, custom, and tribute to whom they are due, as taught in the 13th of Romans, and that the sin of disloyalty, which tends to confusion, anarchy, and ruin, deserves reproof as really and as promptly as that of injustice on the part of rulers or any other violation of the commands of God.'
 experience with the people and foreigners to administer to its wants.
-The history of the policy they adopted will be traced to the period of
+" ' ''5th Resolved'', That rulers should be allowed to do what they will with their own, or with what they have a right to demand; we ought
 its present development.
-" The mission and their seceders were united in their views to build
+{{p|505}}
 up a nation of Hawaiians distinct from all foreign influence. The following
-resolutions, taken from the missionary minutes for 1838, show
+to encourage the security of the right of subjects also to do what they will with tbeir own, provided they render to Caesar his due.'
 the just views entertained at this date:
-" llst Besolved, That though the system of government in the Sandwich
+" ' ''6th Resolved'', That rulers ought to be prompted to direct their efforts to the promotion of general intelligence and virtue as a grand means of removing the existing evils of the system, gradually defining and limiting by equitable laws the rights and duties of all classes, that thus by improving rather than revolutionizing the Government, its administration may become abundantly salutary, and the hereditary rulers receive no detriment but corresponding advantage.'
 Islands has, since the commencement of the reign of Liholiho,
-been greatly improved through the influence of Christianity, and the
+" ' ''7th Besolved'', That to remove the improvidence and imbecility of the people, and promote the industry, wealth, and happiness of the nation, it is the duty of the mission to urge mainly the motives of loyalty, patriotism, social kindness, and general benevolence; but, while on the one hand he should not condemn their artificial wants, ancient or modern, because they depend on fancy, or a taste not refined, he should, on the other, endeavor to encourage and multiply such as will enlist their energies, call forth ingenuity, enterprise, and patient industry, and give scope for enlarged plans of profitable exertion, which, if well directed, would clothe the population in beautiful cottons, fine linen, and silk, and their arable fields with rich and various productions suited to the climate; would adorn the land with numerous comfortable, substantial habitations, made pleasant by elegant furniture, cabinets, and libraries; with permanent and well endowed school houses and seminaries, large, commodious, and durable churches, and their seas and harbors with ships owned by natives sufficient to export to other countries annually the surplus products of their soil, which may, at no very distant period, amount to millions.
 introduction of written and printed laws and the salutary agency of
-Christian chiefs has proved a great blessing to the people; still, the
+" ' ''8th Besolved'', That we deem it proper for members of this mission to devote a portion of their time to instructing the natives into the best method of cultivating their lands, and of raising flocks and herds, and of turning the various products of the country to the best advantage for the maintenance of their families, the support of government and of schools, and the institutions of the gospel and its ministers, at home and abroad.' "
 system is so very imperfect for the management of the affairs of a civilized
-and virtuous nation as to render it of great importance that correct
+"Mr. Richards entered upon his official duties by delivering to the chiefs a course of lectures on political economy and the general science of government. From the ideas thus derived, based upon their old forms, a constitution was drawn up. Although greatly limiting their power, the chiefs passed it unanimously.
 views of the rights and duties of rulers and subjects, and of the
-principles of jurisprudence and political economy, should be held up
+"The laws of the Kingdom were carefully revised and published. In comparison with the past the progress of the nation was now rapid. The liberal policy of other nations, and whatever of their forms could with propriety be here transplanted, were embodied in the new statutes, but on a scale commensurate with the feebleness of youth of the people. The penal code was greatly improved; primary and courts of appeal established; the jury system adopted. Provision was made for the more regular enforcement of debt—transmission of property, property in trust, interest in accounts, in short sufficient was done greatly to benefit the position of natives and foreigners. Taxation was rendered more equal and lighter. Encouragement was proffered to industry and to the increase of population. An enlightened public school system was organized. Their laws, imperfect as they may seem to the critical eyes of a superior civilization, were yet in advance of the people. But wherever they were allowed to operate fairly and systematically much good was effected, and they served to prepare the way for more important changes.