The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-08-13
His Maiesty.s Speech

I'VE are unable to insert this week the proceedings
of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but give
place to the following report of the Kings speech,
on the question of electing Representatives. which
he made on Wednesday. The question before the
Convention, was, whether voters should be restrict
ed by a property publication
His Majesty said, &. This article has been uu-
der discussion for three days, and it is proper that 1
should express my opinions on it. for l have rights
involved in II as well as the Mobiles and people. The
Constitution of 1852 has been frequently spoken of.
in this debate, as given by Kamehameha III. from
his great generosity and kindness of heart; and the
wish is implied that | also should attest this. I do
so. But ii was, because he could not say, No.
Through his generosity, he had impoverished him
self, and he called foreigners in to assist him in the
care of the government His generosity had made
him poor. In 1913 or lS45 he applied TO the chiefs
to give back to him the lands be had derived from
kamehameha L. As the kuhina Nui has stated,
what he asked for, we chiefs gave. The possessions
which the chiefs had derived from Kamehameha l.
they restored to kamehameh Ill. and out of these,
he got his private lands, and the chiefs theirs. His
name was made glorious, but The chiefs were i'm
pOverished. Such was his generosity. The Delegate
from Honolulu CDR. Judd) says that he had n share
in making the Constitution of 1852, and that it was
made for foreigners. Therefore, my idea is fixed that
| cannot approve Of that Constitution. Those ex-
pressions of threatening and boasting are rubbish.
The language Is not pertinent. L think that no ma
tive can fully understand this article unless he is
acquainted with the English language. These things
are called rights, they are not such. as explained by
the Delegate from Hamakua. The Attorney General
has spoken of the institution of this right of suffrage
in other lands, and why it was generally restricted.
" What persons shall come up to express their
opinions on the great questions touching the interests
OF the nation! l., the chiefs, and the people, all
have p right to say who shall be the legislators. L
do not wish TO stop the voice of the people it is
right and proper that it should be heard. But 1t is
the voice of the intelligent, of those who form opin-
ions of their own. A property qualification is a fair
criterion by which to judge who are worthy to be
heard. Is it right for those who are Migrants, lazy
and ignorant, to insist that we shall listen to them
and that in the management Of the government any
regard shall be paid for them
"Al history tells US that the poor are liable to be
made tools of. and that where they have the power
there is trouble. In 1853 this kingdom came very
near overturning. The Ministers of Kamehameha
Ill. applied to him to ask some foreign government
to buy this kingdom for a money consideration. Yes,
there were Ministers Of Religion in this kingdom
who concurred III this reasonable idea. Ii was
advocated in the temples of the Almighty God from
one end of the land to the other. Yet, through the
kindness of God, and the steadfastness and loyalty
OF some Of the chiefs, the nation was saved and still
lives.
As explained by the Delegate from Hamakua, in his un-
suffrage and Of Monarchy ae in C tt II a monarchy be
based upon the principles of a Democracy it cannot stand. My
and md W Una NV the sh is amd nc at sonni,lioos Of the a ippo,,
rant and vagrant. 1t 5 a mistake that this article is intended
to take away any of the rights of the people. They are guar
ton of Rights. This article does not express a right given by
God, it only designates what class of people have a voice in the
government, and regulates the mode of expressing it. This isa
priUilege, not a right. The voice of the poor can be heard
through their Representatives. In some Districts, men are
chosen through the influence OF one man. In kohala, by the
direction of Rev. MIR. Bond, the people chose Mr.. Parker, a
Clergyman; this is very common throughout the country. When
1 was Minister of the Interior, L knew that the Representatives
of Kohala were returned through the influence of Mr.. Bond. 1
have received letters lately stating that this was the case
when Mr.. Parker was elected. L find that in many Districts
6 Caivinistic." In some Districts, the sugar growing interests
control the peoples votes. So, L ask, if the representatives are
thus chosen. if it is the voice OF the poor, the oppressed that we
hear !? If you pass this amendment, proposed by the Delegate
from Puma, and sustained by him by no argument whatever, it
will be surprising. If this amendment passes, 1 think l shall
be unable to manage this government for many years. If you
Delegates reject this Article 62d. L humbly ask you to adjourn,
and to allow me and my Cabinet, twelve hours of day to prepare
an article or articles reconstructng the Legislative power of this
in.la..