, 1872-12-31

distance Of nearly forty miies-in season to tako
tho boat at o'clock in the morning.
OBITUARY.
Kamchamehn the Fifth. King of tho
Sandwich Islands.
From, the 4Ne,o York Herald.
His Majesty KamehameLa the Fifth, King Of
the Sandwich Islands, died in Honolulu on the
11th inst, in the 41st year of his age.
King kamehameha v. pronounced Ka-maia-
maia) succeeded his brother, the lato King an d
hHa19a ana Of n 4aesn @ @ & Of then the 81 1s
old. Since his accession he has exhibited con-
siderable ability, judgment, and frmness. Ono
OF the first acts Of his reign WAS to refuse to
take the oath to the existing Constitu-
give give bis srbjocts new Constitution
in place Of the democratic one established by his
uncle, kamohameha Ill, under the influence of
the American missionaries, in 1852. The his
wich Islands, thus brought about under British
influence, is very interesting. By the articles Of
the Constitution given to the people in 1852 by
Kanehameha III. it was incumbent on the
successor ICE to the yacant throne M to take an
Of the Kingdom whole and inyiol2te, and
Up to the year 1889, the Hawaiian
lslands were governed by an absolute monarch
the efforts Of the American missionaries, who
had given much useful assistance in governing
the country, worked SO for IN the patriotic King,
Kamehameha Ill, as to induce him to sign
Constitution, by which absolute rule was yield
ed up and irresponsible power exchanged for
government By three the estates Of King, mobiles,
and people; In $780, the King, inlu-
Cd cd now ' Constitution 1l''I less ns. democratic
in its features. It was perfected in 1852 and
signed by the King, who died two years after
ward. At g later period, Mr.. Wyllie, Scotch
gentleman connected with the Government,
corresponded with Sir John Bowring concerning
further alterations. The opening sentence OF
the Declaration Of Rights, borrowed from it's
American prototype, that ''au men nTo born
free and equal" appeared to this aristocratic
spite OF his reasoning, tie clause was re-
tanned. Article IL of the Declaration pro-
nouncod that g No person who imports slave or
slaves into the Kings dominions ehen everenjoy
ticle 10 prescribed, "Al elections of tie people
shall be by ballot" and Article IS established
manhood suffrage. Kamehameha =, who came
to the throne in November. 1868, wished to get
rid, by means Of q national vote, Of universal
suffrage, aud to replace it by a qualification
based on income and property. He refused to
take the oath prescribed By the Constitution, and
called Convention to alter the provisions of
this latter instrument. The conflict in the Con-
much wransling and not o little abuse. On the |
part Of the Representatives there was deter |
mined opposition to the Kings design. On the |
18th Of August 4 1S the kinga patience had broken
Of this article, said His Majesty. ' am very
eorry that We do not agree on this important |
point. 1t is clear to that if universal suffrage
is permitted this Government will coon Ioso its |
and mobiles, for the readiness with Which
you have come to this Convention, in
accordance With my proclamation As We do not
agree, it is useles to prolong tho session. And
as at the time His Majesty kamehameha III. |
gave the Constitution of the year 1859 he re-
served to himself the power of taking it away
if it was not for the interest OF his Government
and people; and as it is clear to tlet that
my predecessor and myself, therefore, es
sit in this seat, on the part Of the sovereignty |
OF tho Hawaiian Islands, make known to- |
dag that til tie Co Constitution m Of 1882 is a55o-
Majesty requested ministers to remain at pres-
ent in their respective positions, in order to
avoid confusion and disturbance, and he then
vent:on, the promised new Constitution ap-
peared. It omts the obnoxious axiom about
- free and equal. gives the King larger place
in the State, makes Cabinet Ministers more re-
qualification of Representative real
estate Of $500 value and annual income of $3.50, |
aud Of elector property Of $780, or
s25 year rent On leasehol, property, and $75
yesrly income, together with certain intellect |
nal requirements. It Includes & stringent ar-
ticle on royal marriages, and on the succession
to the Grown; and, the King being nnmar-
ried, it provides for new STRIPS for royal
family, should the present race become extinct.
has sister, died in 1866 Willie the Gov
ernment WAS antagoniBtic to Americans
the Princess Victoria was our firm friend.
Is5y1rr LnY19 n414 1f,n .oAsA
ton Of 1854, declared her his heir anu
upon her accession to the throne the islands
would virtually have been ou1s-yirtually in
American interests.
Upon the accession Of King kamchnmeha the
Fifth he in i'll health, hut under the care Of
British physicians lie grew corpuleut and
healthy. He was Il years OF age unmarried.
and childless. He had decided antipathies to ali
Americans. Years ago, while he was travelling
through the United States with Dr.
Judd, and while ascending tho Connecti-
cnt River on Q steamboat, he sat un-
assumlngly down to the supper table, with
prucely condescension before utterly unknown
He was clothed in citizens attire, and had only
his brown face as distinguishing mark.
Through tho inadvertency ct Dr.. Judd he was
not madc known to the passengers or officers o:
the boat So very democratic native Of the Green
Isle, 4 waiter Z. the table, unceremoniously in
formed the royal stranger thas '' no nagurs were
The matter was explained yet Prince Lot after
wards kamchameha ", mover forgaye the fanci-
cd insult.
SINGULAR SUICIDES.