The New York herald., 1872-12-26
OBITUARY.
KsmsAameha the Filth, King oS tho
Sandwich Islands.

044OA&1s
the Fifth, King 0S tho
Sandwich Islands.
HIS majesty Kamehaaeha the F1fth, King OF the
Sandwich Islands, died In Honolulu on the 1lth
inst. In the forty yAFst year Of his age. The news
wAich reached ~ from San Francisco last night by
telegraph does not state the nature Of his illness
or the circumstances which attended his demise
The event h an important one. Notwithstanding,
a its occurrence creates an insular interregnum,
the King not having named his successor as ne
was required by the constitution to do, during
which the people win be supreme. throne may
thus be swept away. The Hawaiian Parliament WIN
reassemble in session on the 9Th Of January, 1S7a
1t is thought that the Legislature win nominate
successor to the dead r0yalist; but, on the other
hand, the Honolulu Gazette promulgates the idea of
popular movement for the purpose Of securing
free constitution, and revolution is expected,
despite the concurrent fact that the country re-
NAMED peaceable when the HERALD despatch was
SKETCH OF HIS MAJEsTy's LIFE AND GOVERNMENTAL
POLICY.
Ss tSe sse ana
husband Of Queen Emma, or the Sandwich Islands,
on November 80, 1858, being then thirtyone years
old. Since his accession he has exhibited con-
the rst acts Of Ills reign was to refuse to take the
coup a. etat to give his subjects new Constitution
In place or the democratic one established BY his
s
revolution In the politics OF the Sandwich Islands
thus brought about unaer British influence is very
tution given the people in 1852 By Hame
hameha III. it was incumbent on the success
he would the Of the
whole and inviOlate, and would govern in conform
i:y herewith. a Up to the year 1899 the Hawaiian
upon strictly feudal principles. In that year the
efforts Of the American missionaries, who had
given much useful assistance In governing the
country. worked SO far on the patriotic King, Ka-
mehameha Ill. as to induce him 20 sign BIZ OF
Rights and the following year to grant oonstitu:
irresponsible power exchanged for government by
the three estates OF king, mobiles and people. In
recommended new constitution less democratic
In Its features: It was perfected In 1882 and
signed By the King who died % two years slterwaId.
man connected with the government, corresponded
with Sir John Bowring concerning further altera-
Rights, borrowed from it's American prototype,
that ''all men are born free and equal" appeared
TO % this aristocratic gentleman to be too reyolu.
was retained. Article 10 Of the Declaration pro-
nounced that mo person who imports q slave or
any civil or political rights in this reamn Article
by ballot" and article 7s established manhood
throne in November 1853, wished to get rid, BY
means OF Q national vote, Of universal Suffrage,
come and property. Ee refused to take the oath
prescribed by the constitution, and called q
cow. convention to alter the provisions OF this
venti0n was spirited and sharp. There was
much wranglng and not little abuse. On the
opposition to the Kings design. On the 18th OF
August the Kings patience had broken down.
his ls tne nltn DAY q the discussion OF this art
MQtaafV a a
do not agree this important point 1t Is clear to
me that II universal surage is permitted this gov
Thank yon, delegates and mobiles, for the readiness
with which you have come to this Convention, in
accordance e with my proclamation. Aswe do not
as at the time His Majesty Kamehameha III.
gave the constitution OF the year 1852 he reserved
not for the interest Of his government and peo.
pie; and as It is clear to me that that King lett
the revision Of the constitution to my predecessor
part OF the sovereignty Of the Hawaiian Islands,
make known to-day that the constitution Of 1852 is
Majesty requested ministers to remain at present
IN their respective positions In order to avoid con-
fusion and disturbance. and he then dissolved the
the breaking up Of the Convention, the promised
new consttution appeared: 1t omits the 0bnox-
8 larger place in the State, makes Cabinet min.
listers more responsible excludes the ballot, pre-
as sne or o.
come Of $780, and OF an eector property Of $780, or
$25 year rent on leasehold property and SIS
yearly income, together with certain intellectual
requirements. 1t includes q stringent article on
royal marriages and on the succession to the
Crown; and, the King being unmarried, IL pro-
vides for new STRIPS for royal family should the
present race become extinct
The Princess Victoria, KING Kamehameha's sister,
died IN 1885, While the government was
antagonistic to Americans the Princess Victoria
was our firm friend. King Kamehamehs ", In
the constitution Of 1854 declared her his heir and
upon her accession to the throne the islands would
virtually have been ours-virtually in American
interests.
Upon the accession Of King Kamehameha the
Fifth he was In III health, but under the care Of
British physicians he grew corpulent and healthy:
He was fOrty-One years OF age, unmarried and
childless. He had decided antipathes to all Ameri-
cans Years ago, while he was travelling through
the United States with DR.. Judd, and while ascend
ing the Connecticut River on o steamboat he sat
unassumingly down to the supper table, with o
princely condescension before utterly unknown.
He was clothed in citizens attire, and had only his
brown face as distinguishing marK. Through the
inadvertency OF Dr. Judd he was not made known
to the passengers or 0fcers OF the boat. SO very
democratic native OF the Green Isle, waiter at the
table, uncerem0nously informed the royal stranger
that i'no nagurs were allowed to eat with the white
folks at that table," the matter was explained,
yet Prince Lot. afterwards Kamehameha ", never