The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-09-28
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
WEDNESDAY, SEP %.


A Ruxok has obtained currency, which we ar
forced to regard as well-founded, that it is tn,
purpose of our King to abdicate his throne, ant
retire to private life. The reasons assigned fo
it emanate in the recent unfortunate even
at Lahaina. The simple announcement of such
purpose will create a deep feeling of regret in the
bosom of every one who cherishes the honor Of
our Sovereign Kamehameha, or desires the pros
perity of his kingdom.
1t is unnecessary for us here to rehearse the
details of the affair alluded to, which are familiar
to each of our readers. At the time OF its occur
renee, His Majesty appears to have been excited
by the false reports which he had heard, to a
degree, which, had his suspicious been well
grounded, public sentiment would have fully
justified and acquitted him of evil intent. He
believed he was acting on sufficient grounds-that
his information was reliable-that his own per-
sonal honor, the honor of his throne, his family
and his realm, were at stake-and that in shoot
ing his secretary, he was simply melting out that
justice which public sentiment, had these rumors
been known to the public, would have imperiously
demanded. Subsequent investigation has shown
that he was mis-informed, and that his infor-
mants had no valid grounds for the reports which
had been communicated to him. On learning
the facts rs they ~existed-that he had acted
rashly, and without justifable cause, in taking the
law thus hastily into his own hands-he has been
overwhelmed with self-condemnation, and his
feelings can better be imagined than described.
Naturally of a quick temperament, he appears
to have acted without that caution which should
have been exercised in the matter, and without
seeking the proof necessary to confirm his suspi-
cions. Those who are personally acquainted with
our King, know that his disposition is kind and
amiable, more SO than is generally found in per-
sons holding the rank which he does and this
rash act has been followed, as we have full
evidence before us, only by that poignancy OF
grief, which a person of the most refined feelings
might be expected to experience under like cir
cumstances. All the amends which it is possible
for a person to make, he has been willing to make,
and we are informed that the fullest reconcilia-
ton possible, has been made between all the par
ties concerned.
. We do not ignore the fact that this act of His
Majesty, as IL has turned out, is in open contra
vention of the laws of God and man, which can
under no pretext he justified nor that the ex-
ample of the Sovereign has a powerful influence
over the morals of his subjects, for good or evil.
lEOuIu Vic NILE Al ~ ohtOA tbC
amenable to his laws, yet there is a moral respoa-
s6ihty existing between him and his people,
which calls for the justification of every act of
equivocal tendency, or else the influence of such
acts will be injurious to the prosperity of his
realm.
The recent tragedy at Lahaina is, in one sense,
a private affair, and on that account some may
say we have no right to comment on it. Yet ut
the same time, in another point of view, it is
equally a public one, and must have a public in
tiuence and it is in this light that we feel called
on as public journalists to refer to it. Not being
amenable to the law, what more can his people
ask of their Sovereign than that he seek to repair,
to the extent of his power, the injury which he
has inflicted. This he has done-he has done all
they can ask. And the mere fact that he
seeks thus thoroughly to repair the injury, and
the stain, speaks more in his praise than
anything else he could say or do. He has erred,
so are we all liable TO commit acts of error. But
tits the course pursued, after such acts, and after
the knowledge of our errors, which tend to elevate
or degrade US in the sight of our fellow men.
The course which His Majesty has pursued since
this unfortunate affair, in seeking to make the
utmost reparation in his power-the feelings of
elfcondemnation which have since possessed
him to be a NAN in every sense of the
man of refined and tender feelings, and
worthy of the position he holds. And seeing, as
do, these evidences of the noblest traits of
humanity, it becomes us, as it becomes every one
who has any interest in the matter, to overlook
the wrong done. The conduct of His Majesty
since the occurrence, needs but to be known to
subjects, to raise him in their esteem, and en-
lear him to them as their Sovereign. There is
not a person in his realm who will not vehemently
protest against his r~esigning his high and respon-
iible position, or consent to his doing it, even if
ne feels himself bound so to act. They believe
that he has done all that justice or reason calls
or in this case. The interests of the kingdom
The interests of every subject or resident, demand
hat the King Danish forever the idea from his
mind, and maintain the position which the God
If nations has decreed to him, and in which every
ubiect will loyally support and defend him.