The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-02-11

the delegates were opposed TO the property quail
fcation as affecting voters. By this clause the
late " Parliament was packed. Can the mem
bers composing it be called the representatives Of
the people? Yet they are the ones who have
:" gratefully accepted the " Constitution Of Au-
gust 18th, 1861"
These rights they have neither earned by their
blood, nor by patient and continuous resistance Of
oppression; but they have been acquired within q
few years Is gifts from their kings"
The Ministers forget that it i an axiom as true
as 1t IS old, that q thing once parted with as q
" gift can never be recalled, but by the consent
OF the receiver. Have the subjects of Kameha-
meha 9Th relinquished THEIR RIGHT in the Com
stitution of 1852, the GIFT Of the good KAU-
I%KEAouLI, kamehameha Sd?
After the ministerial outrage of August last,
the people have reason to fear for the satety of
other gifts of their kings. The kulcana system
by which this same Kauikeaouli and his chiefs
gave to his subjects the right of ownership or fee
IN the land they lived on, was a gift made about
the same time with the Constitution Just vio-
lated. Both are gifts of a like character, and
the one should have been considered as inviola-
bic as the other by the SUCCESSORS of the royal
and noble donor.
To illustrate the guaranteeing of liberties
by the New Constitution, we will quote the sec
ton referring to that dearest right Of a free peo-
pie, The H5erty Of speech. The Constitution of
1852 reads as follows
"AETICLE 3. All men may freely speak, write, ard
publish their sentiments On all subjects. being re-
sPonsible for the abuse Of that right, according 10
law"
The New Constitution has two articles upon
this subject. Article g, reads.
"AETlcLE 3. All men may freely speak, write, ana
publish their sentiments on all subjects, being re-
spossloie for the abuse Of that right, ana no law
sha!! be enacted 10 restrain the liberty Of speech, or
o. the press, except such laws as may be necessary
Tor the protection of His Majesty the King and the
Royal Family"
ARTICLE 50. The Legislative Assembly shall have
authority 10 punish by imprisonment, not exceeding
thirty days, every person, not a member, who shall
be guilty OF diaTespect to the Assembly, by any dis
orderly or coutemptuous behavior in its presence; or
who, during the time Of its sitting shall publish any
false report of its proceedings. or insulting comments
upon the same; or who shall threaten harm 10 the
body or estate Of any of its members, for anything
said or done in the Assembly, or who shall assault
any OF them therefor, or who shall assault or arrest
any witness, or other person ordered to attend the
Assembly, IN his way going or returning; or who
shail rescue any person arrested by order Of the
Assembly,
We have been found fault with by some for
NV '"4"AhS VIC ICpO-lS VI Tue lTdIlStCtlOls OF
I" Parliament" We can only say in answer that,
after trying to obtain the minutes from that
body on a most liberal arrangement, we declined
sending a reporter for fear that our comments
might be construed as a " false report of its pro- !
ceedings, or insulting comments on the same
and that we could have had an impartial hearing
in that body, no person acquainted with Ha-
waiian politics viii be foolish enough to believe.
Had we been allowed to v~entilate their acts
and laws, they might have saved themselves from
being made the laughing stock of the commu-
nifty. Our leader of last week exposed some
glaring Inconsistencies and errors which a school
boy would have been ashamed of, and 40 doubt
but what rs they come to be enforced, more will
come TO light.
Before closing we must admit, what is patent
to every one, that the Ministry are riding with
reins well in hand furthermore, that they are
riding rough-shod. But let them remember the
old proverb about its being ga long lane that has
no turning" and beware the reaction which will
as surely follow as day the night, and be assured
" with the same measure that We 1nete
Tithal, it shall be measured to you"