The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-07-09
THE KINGS SPEECH
Al the Opening of the Convention

II has pleased God Almighty to call hence to a bet
ter world my Brother, K~AMEHAMEHA w, whose
death has filed the Nation with mourning and my
own heart with profound grief The sudden and un-
expected demise of this Sovereign, whose love you
have all experienced, and whose time and talent were
devoted TO your good, is indeed q national loss. This
deplorable instance OF the uncertainty Of life warns
me Of the necessity of earnestly and diligently try
ing 20 do, what 1 can for the benefit OF my people.
Il has been the traditional policy Of my Predeces-
sors. to whom the Kingdom is indebted for the liberal
reforms that have been made, to lead the nation for
ward and TO watch over its welfare. My subjects
will ind in me. Gs they did in them, a jealous guar
dian Of their liberties, and an earnest promote" of all
measures calculated 10 increase their happiness, and
90 check the evils that tend To their destruction.
/ return TO you, Mobiles and Delegates OF the peo-
pie, my thanks for your prompt answer TO the appeal
1 have made TO your loyalty and patriotism YOU
have di=cardad certain assertions impugniDg my
motives and my intentions, II d this confidence iDdi-
Gates thar you now meet me with the same spirit and
sentiments, which animated me In my appeal TO you.
During the course Of the last twelve years, the
weak points OF the Constitution of 1852 have been
made apparent to all. The wisdom Of the Rulers
and of the people combined, have smoothed down it's
defects, but have not however succeeded in removing
them. Difficult as the task We are about TO under
take, might have been a few years ago, time has sue
ceeded ia making il easier, and | think that now
these notifications can be discussed by US with ade-
quate kuowledge and with the authority of expe-
rience.
Several articles of the Constitution are SO loosely
worled az to leave room for doubts and uncertainty;
THESE 4 snail euCCt5slstiy punt u u you III H
course of our meetings. The order Of succession TO
the Throne should be more fully established; and n
clause making the marriages of the Royal family
subser Went To- the public good, might properly be in
serted in the Constitution. The article providing for
the alienation Of the Kingdom. although perhaps
dictated at the time by peculiar circumstances, Is one
which, L think, ought to be erased from our Organic
Law such a provision can do no good and may do
harm, and Is repugn0nt to the feelings OF all loyal
men.
The institution of the Kuhina Nui originated, in
my opinion, in q wrong conception of our past his
tory. and is an unnecessary check upon the Legisla-
tive, in giving to this officer an absolute control over
the acts Of n body of which he himself is a member,
aud in which he has n vote. y provision for a
Council of Regency. in case of minority Of the Heir
to the Throne, would be III accordance with all mon
archical customs
The protracted sittings of the Legislature have
been caused. in many Instances, by the absence OF
all direct intercourse between the House of Repre-.
gen and the Executive. l think the presence
in this branch of the Legislature of one or two of the
members of the Cabinet, would be conducive 10 the
prompt dispatch OF business.
I am or opinion that the Representation of the
People ought TO be apportiOued and regulated accord
ing to the popuIatiou-by Districts. and would sug-
gest the adoption o! such an apportIonment as would
leave the number Of Representatives equal to what 1t
now is. 49,
Experience has proved to my satisfaction, and L
hope TO yours, thai n property qualification for the
House Of Representatives would have the effect of
promoting industry and perseverance among my peo-
pie, By making a seat in the House an object OF am
Dtisyu u . - VI L. oh " OPtahSh
that this properly qualification should be made SO low
~ to bring this honor within the reach of every in
dustrious man
The number aud the importance of these modi6ca-
tons have induced me TO call this Convention, in
which. the People being represented 10y you, gentle
men. their freely elected Delegates, you, my Mobiles,
sitting for yourselves, and l for myself, all the Con-
stituting Powers of Ibis Realm are concentrated L
hope that every Noble and Delegate will exercise
freely the right of suggesting any provision on which
he NAV have maiursly reflected, with the assurance
-, " I'LL he lrafenpl To- on nv parr.
with the same consideration which l expect tor my
own. At the same time shall claim for myself or
others speaking by my authority, in my name aud IN
nv presence. the same right of debate that l freely
accord To each Noble and Delegate.
May God, in His divine mercy, ~enlighten us in the
course OF our deliberations aud inspire all OF us with
the wisdom necessary to prosecute in mutual accord,
objects so dear to my heart as the welfare and the
prosperity Of the People over whom He has called
me to rule.
And 1 do now declare this Convention opened.
The delegates (of whom there are 26 presently then
met in the Hall Of Representatives Judge Robert
son WAS chosen Chairman, and o. ii. Gulick, Secre-
tary.
4 resolution was offered that each member take
the oath prescribed for representatives, to support
the Constitution aud the Laws o.! the land. This
proposition created spirited discussion and opposition
from some MEMBERS, most prominent among whom
was Mr.. Kauwahi, who was violent in his denuncia-
ton Of the Constitution. and declared that there was
no Constitution, and that il would be time to swear
20 il when the King did. &c, Sc. His language was
open treason, aud We mistake the temper of the
= house. il IL passes unreproved- There was language
used by other and foreign members which was equal
ly represen le,-such as calling each other liars,
sc. A member who resorts to such unparliamentary
languax re. is a disgrace TO any Convention. The
result Of the proposition Was, that 10 members took
the oath. IL is understood that all but six are.ready
to conform TO it.
On Friday morning, the delegates met again at 10
o'clock, and passed q resolution Of inquiry of the
Attorney General. as follows
In your opinion, have the Delegates any power legally to join
with th= King and mobiles, in maSing any changes in the Con-
stiutioni II they have in yoIr opinion, whence and how do
they get such power?
We understand that the delegates will decline to
cussion or revision of the Constitution, until the
questions OF the legality of their acts and the power
they may possess are settled.
At the afternoon session, on Friday, the member
from kaiiua, whose fraudulent election with stu led
ballots We noticed last week. was expelled. :
At the same session, Dir. kauwahi also got IN and
aPolOgized Er having called DIR. Judd a liar. the lat.
ter occupying the place OF Chairman OF the house at
the time the expression was used. The Doctor i'm.
mediafely walked across the hall, and shook hands
with Mr. KauEahi-
At IL o'clock the mobiles and delegates assembled
IN the Court Room. where His Majesty shortly after
arrived. and took his seat as President of the meet
iug. HIS Er. Governo. Kekusuaoa aud Hon. G.. NJ.