The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-05-17

THE COUP-D'ETAT which signalized the earlier
reign of Knmehameha ", has ever since its
occurrence been the subject Of much discussion,
in which perhaps all its merits and all it's faults
have found able critics. The real purpose and
intent of a decree which so notably altered the
nature Of our national Government may fairly be
looked for in it's results. Judging from these re-
suits, we should say that it was neither more nor
less than a modified piece of NapOleonic policy,
its object being 10 transfer the influential conduct
of affairs from the bands of constitutional repre-
sentatives to those Of the monarch himself. The
change may have been made partly with n view
to expediting the process of Legislative husiness
but it certainly had the result Of checking the
power which electors previously exercised, by
causing them to vote together with n somewhat
disproportionate number of Mobiles whose inter
csts were mainly those of the King himself.
The principle recognized by the Constitution Of
Kumehameha I'LL, that of two separate Houses
of Legislature with distinct and separate votes,
was thus negatiyed and events have shown that
popular representation was greatly subordinated
to personal Government, and could even be alto
gether p~aralyzed by it.
y lack of public interest in the nature of the
representative body was a perfectly logical conse-
queuce of this change. Those men who offered
their services subsequently as members of the
Lower House, did 50 in most cases doubtless with
the purpose of working for the interests of tie
State, and in many instances probably with the
clear consciousness that their efforts would DO
thrown away, not by the superior force of repre-
sentative opinion against them, but by the lnrge
majority which might be brought to oppose any
scheme not approved by the " personal - govern
ing power. And those people who might for
merly have instructed their Representatives upon
questions which they conceived to be important,
now recognized as the only practical plan before
them that of pcrsunding members of the Minis
try to their way Of thinking.
The first Acts Of our present King after his
accession, were preparations for a virtual return
to the principles of the old Constitution The
celebrated manifesto of Prince IrNAULo prom
ised what His Majesty has already made distinct
steps towards performing and, upon the due
completion Of legal fomality, the governing
power Will once more be fairly apportioned be-
tween the King and two distinct HOuses of E.egis-
lature.f The King appealed to the voice of the
people for his election, and he appeals to public
opinion for guidance in his course of Government.
The deliberate choice of n Ministry who at the
time Of their appointment were popularity ac-
cepted as well chosen, may be taken to prove
how thoroughly he intends to act upon the prin-
ciples he has declared.
1t is clear, then, that the responsibility Of
directing the affairs of the nation now rests to a
very considerable extent upon the body of elect
ore: and public opinion no longer relies solely
upon the mere intelligence OF Ministers, or upon
the extent to which it can gain the ear of the
Kings immediate advisers, for the management
of leading questions.
The men who shall be returned for the different
constituencies at the elections Of 1874, are those
10 whom the government will, in q large share
be committed, and to them should the Ministry
be able to look entirely for direction upon many
of the important subjects which must come up in
next years session. Although some months have
to elapse Before it will be necessary to name these
representatives, there is the utmost need for look
ing ahead. The public should endeavor diligently
to form its decision as to what measures arc I'M
pOrtant, and what view of them it is prepared to
support at the elections. With the prospect of a
consideration of weighty financial matters, of
possible important Foreign Treaties, of the cur
repcy, Of law-reform, of a positive - colony" on
Molokai, and of many other equally serious sub
jects. it is highly desirable that intelligent men
should be chosen for the legislature and it is
heartily to be hoped that individuals will be
found possessing the required qualifications of
education and good sense, who, even at personal
inconvenience and expense, may make the service
of their country n sacred duty, and to whom the