The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-12-14
HAL WE DRIFT

q Or shall we take n new departure, anu WIFI III
approved helmsman, following a prescribed course,
sail onward on the sea of national prosperity and
progress? We have indeed been drifting, and
znow is the time to put our Hawaiian ship Of State
under right Roadway.
Were we not drifting-or dawdling-or what
were the intelligent people of this community
doing, when a Constitution granted by IA liking
of the Hawaiian Islands, by and lCiM the Gdricc
and consent Of he NoJles and Representatives, o.
ehe People, in Legislative Council Assembled"
wis set aside for a Decree, miscalled Constitution,
granted by ''His Majesty by the grace Of God
King Of the Hawaiian Islands?'
We had then no Charter Oak wherein to save
our chartered rights or at any rate, no " hearts
sof oak" to withstand tyrannic power, and save
those rights inyiolate. But they still live. The
Charter or Constitution of KAMEHANEHA III. lives
this day, and TO its provisions and to the order
(which it would establish, are we only amenable.
We have thus far acquiesced in the operation OF
the late Decree, but that instrument now, even
were we to admit of its legality, fails to be opera
tive. According to its Article SO, the Cabinet on
1.-THE demise of the King, constitutes a Council of
Regency; and according to Article AZ, the Cabi-
net must consist of four members, there being no
provision that any lesser number shall constitute
IN quorum; and inasmuch as there are only three,
there being no Minister for Foreign Affairs
itncre is no legal Council Of Regency, even accord
ing to said Decree.
But are we without order-are We in political
schaos? Not quite so. The Constitution of 1852
becomes our ark Of safety. 1t is our supreme law,
land was never set aside by the joint action OF
MOBILES and Representatives, in Legislative Council
Assembled, BY wHICH IT WAS CHEATED. By its pro-
visions. on the demise of the Sovereign, the Kuhina
sNui, or Premier assumes the Regency but should
this Office of Kuhina Nui be vacant. then according
Ito Article As, the Privy Council becomes a Council
LOT Regency, with the Chancellor of the Kingdom
Jas its President.
BY the way-how does the Chancellor become
the - head of the government" Of the Regency, as
has recently been somewhere asserted. under the
operation Of the Decree, or so-called Constitution
of the late Sovereign? We find no place in it for
the Chancellor, except in the exercise of his judi
.cial functions.
And also,-by the way-who is chief of the
7Triumvirate. who now assume the role of a Council
'of Regency, inasmuch as we have very positively
and repeatedly been assured by the Organ of the
ate government. and by the Ministers themselves.
that there is no Premiership in the Cabinet?
There has been a vast deal Of assumption by
INSCRIPTIONS men in our public affairs; it is high
time that the people should begin TO assume some
thing. Now would it be an unwarranted assumption
that. in view OF the present state of public affairs,
The people should desire aConventiOn to be called
!or at any rate. to have a new election of Repre-
ordered so that the Convention or
Legislature which should assemble, would be a
correct exponent of the public sentiment in respect
Ito the new order of public affairs which is to
follow?
We deny the legality of the Legislative Assem-
.bly that is called by the now acting Council OF
The Chancellor with the Privy Council,
exercising the Sovereign functions. according TO
the provisions of the Constitution whose legality
we recognize. must issue an order for the assem-
|bIage Of representatives of the people in a new
Legislature. Meanwhile the Council of Regency,
whilst fulfilling the duties appertaining to the
vacant Throne before a new incumbent is seated,
NAV very appropriately retain at the head of their
departments the able gentlemen who now
have charge OF the affairs of the Interior, of FL
nance. and of Law. Our discussion and criticism
is of principles, not men.
But We want men. Do we not want intelligent.
true men. at this c~xigency in the public affairs of
this small but interesting country: We must have
men to shape and move and stand By a true course;
still we must drift You must not be content
TO stand by your plantation, your ranch, your
store, or your shop. and say-all is well with me;
the country slide; so l Gil my pocket don't
Icare who or what governs. Narrow views. You
will best and surest Gil your pockets by intelligent
action in respect to your government, and you will
thus stand forth to the world as intelligent, free
men.
Let us prove that ours is not only a civilized, but
an enlightened state. And how shall we prove it?
by our sugar plantations? BY our extensive sheep
cattle ranches? By our well packed stores of
merchandise. By our ships and shops? By our
numerous church edifces? Or by our Paraphernalia
of Government and tiuselled t~rappings of Royal
StateI No. By none of these things do we prove
right to be recognized as one of the family OF
States. Then
what constitutes a states I
Not high-reared battlemeuts, or lsbored mound, +
Thick wall, or moated gate L
Not plantations proud. with smoking chimuies crowned,
Nor rich runs, where the .Nmbkin sports, L
And, laughing at Wild bulls the Tancners ride, <
Nor starred and sPangied courts, i
Where sOriid men Eaft perfume up TO pride. Z
No Men, high-minded men, (
With powers as far above dun brutes endued,
In forest. vale, or glen, I
As beasts excel cold rocks and forests rude
Men, who Their duties know, L
But knox their rights, and knowing care maintain Z
Prevent the long aimed blow. L
And crush the tyrant. while they reDd the chain = r
Thess constitute a State - Il