The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-06-11
CFor the Pacific Commercial Advcrtiser.)

Mr.. EDITOR Il have read with interest your edi-
torial remarks and those of your correspondents from
time to time upon the constitutional questions elected
By the Kings Proclamation. The questions discussed
are grave questions demanding the most serious CEN
sideration of our ablest and best men. The tendency
of Christianized and enlightened nations is towards
the enlargement Of human liberty. In Great Britain
it has been for many hundred years gradually and
irresistibly onward. Where rrerogative has stood in
its way ii has had to yield, step by step, for ages
past, from the time when the assembled Barons of
England in the plains of Runneymede, on the 18th
of June l2lo, extorted from an unwilling King the
great charter OF English Rights, up to the present
time. Its course has generally been peaceful, but
sometimes its triumphs have been mingled with blood,
but its course has still been onward despite of all
obstacles, till Great Britain stands pre-eminently as
the great conservator of constitutional liberty under
a moparchical form of Government, as DO the United
States under a Republican form of Government. 1t
is true that the Continental Governments all tend in
this direction, and although temporary changes have
sometimes seemed to hedge up the way OF the car of
human liberty, yet they have proved but temporary.
l need not cite the student and observer of passing
events to Italy, Germany, Russia, France, and other
continental kingdoms, for q veridcation of my state
ment, for recent and even passing events establish
~ dSb VI ttS human
freedom, both civil and political. With the most en-
~lightened nations before US for examples in the race
of liberty, l hope We shall not take one retrograde
step. 1t has been the glory of the Hawaiian Kings
that political privileges to the people have been their
free and spontaneous gift. In this respect they have
stood pre- euinent-and the minister who counsels
any retrograde step brings n stain upon his name
which no past or future service can ever wipe away.
His purpose may be good, his private reputation spot
less, but his mistake is so great that he cannot atone
for it. He brings as far as his counsel can do, dis
honor upon the Kingdom. and trails it's glory in tho
dust, and had | the ear Of His Majesty | should
earnestly entreat him to turn a deaf ear to all such
cOuusels. They initiate against the honor of his
throne and the best, the dearest interests of his realm.
The Constitution declares the ministers response
BILE, and they have assn med a fearful responsibility
in advising the proclamation, if it is designed as a
solemn official act, for the S5th article of the Cous,i-
tuition says of the King, "0H his other official acts
Except Legislative shall be opprored by the Priry
Council, couDtersigned by the Kahind .Nui and BIZ
The Minister 10 Jrhose Department such act may be-
long" / choose TO consider this a friendly invitation
from the King to his subjects, to a mutual conference
to promote the general good, with suggestions from
the ministers as 10 the method of carrying out the
plan of meeting. If official, then | have no alterna-
tive but TO consider II a violation Of the Constitution,
although utterly void, as an official act, vet the
ministers must be held accountable for any evil pos
sibiy resulting in carrying 1t out. The Convention
as an othclai body can have no legal existence, and
lis unanimous vote cannot render "A single act binding
upon any Hawaiian subject; not only SC, but it would
be criminal 20 attempt TO carry out any measure
. haiever not strictly conformable 10 the present Con-
and avs, for every subject of His Majesty
5 solemnly bound 10 sustain these till they are consti-
.utionally repealed. To sustain this position ! refer
he reader TO the oaths taken by every official, from
he King down, and the doctrine Of which every sub
ect Is bound 10 sustain.
It is reported that kauwahii in his public addresses has stated
to IL such a statement am sure, never could have
ad the sanction Of His Majesty, and l feel Jdstfel in pro-
.Ouncing the doctrine, If designed to be imputed to the King,
calumny upon the good sense and wisdom Of our Sovereign,
ONE good judicious friend at hand to disavow on its behalf the
nputation Of sentiments whose utterauce could only prove mis-
The King is well aware, and his ministers know. that the |
nd responsibilities to rule under the Constitution and laws as
bat he is as fully, as morally and as legally bound by il as @
hough he had formally taken it and it viii bud his successors
bind, not only them. but their successors TO Their faith e
loi servance unless legally released, otherwise, no government I
3nd be sustained, for any vacancy in any department, would 9
'ective or future bearing, in other words. all which had not '
binds himself to rule according to the Constitution and
ltrs, and the subject though he is bound by no formal oath is n
TO obedience TO the Consultation and KaICS. and both IL
ing and subject are bound to resist any invasion OF either, or c
ons Of 10th King and subject are imperative to be CURED by v
Fundamental Law in al the relations which they sustain TO c
ade in the way that the Constitution directs ii
should caution kau~Shi az against IS the u,ie "a nc Of f : a c'
ctrine. which Il spoken by a subject as TO ms obligations 70 II
2 Constitution 70 which he had not formally subscribed, would
deemed revolutionary or reasonable. for this fundamental Law d
the coDmOn bond that binds King and subject and dedDes their in
ations 10 each other, and neither party can ignore its provi-
ms, but the one can do so as well as the other, and as right "
~ The Constitution may be changed. no doubt some u
auges are desirable, but 70 DO it in any other way than that ~
iuJed out by the instrument Itself would be revolutionary. Ii m
I'D not Be done in England The attempt 10 infringe the -
hts Of tie people there has shaken the throne 20 its f9unda- Va
rs in time past, and il would DO so again. Il vas an ATTEMPT o.
violate these rights, dearer than MONEY or life, which severed :,
United States from Great Britain, ard so would il bring ruin II
the administration il the United States which should dare 70 va
7ade them row. The glory q these great nations Is their
l-tUUtsoDal liberty. blot this out and the glory viii have de- en-
freedom, and the greater its glory because il has bee-
free boon OF a Sovereign King, bind ng himself and success er
70 II forever. wisely however. making provision in the in
in-nt itself for any changes which future experience might err
Te desirable. -
Who would willingly yield up the advantages derived to the CO
ion from lis pAst progress in bringing the Government ma i'm
1sy into system ami order, and securing a name and place
he family OF nations, and roll back the wheels Of progress TO
times Of The founder Of the present dynasty, and even 20 the i'm
nd. and early years Of the rsizu Of the third q MS name.
n The rights Of King, chiefs and people were at the mercy pr
aprice % every man q var Certainly no friend Of King m.
eople you'd do il. A political change OF this character. or 49,
attempt az one, you'd impair Confidence il the stability OF arr
and tend 20 depreciste property, and foreign
Sho have settled and invested in the country, naturaifzad
unuscurallZ=i, would have jlst cause q complaint, II not cor
changes. for they invested funds upon tn faith which VIC
had a rzht 20 place in the Constitution AMI their prop ery IN,
-precstsi becaus= 1t has teen violated.
70 a change in the article debarrDg a person eOnUieted not
famous crime from ever becoming 3 legislator. 1 hope II
not be changed, any further than tia; ifaay one 50 con-