The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-03-25


REPEATEDLY in Hawaiian history. the prospect
Of national Independents has been dark. But
tha, was before the social and municipal orgaui-
ration was complete enough 10 give the nation -
respectable rank or any rank with independent
and civilized countries. That the election riot Of
last February was the severest blow this nation
has ever received, few will deny. 1t was blow,
too, from its own people, and not from foreign
enemies. The same Hawaiians whose patriotic
wrath was SO aroused at the thought Of eeding
single lagoon, have shown to the world that some
OF them are no more fit to be called law-abiding.
/ intelligent people than are the maoris Of New
Zealand. It was pIteous sight 1t gave de-
light to enemies OF missionary labor, and to those
who eOntemp,uOusly asserted that Hawaiian civil
/ iEation was a shan, and that HaRaiiaus were IN
/ IT for self government.
That the nation at large was shocked at the
riot, and has no sympathy with the rioters is
well known here among those who are best in
formed. Bat there are many who are led by GER
tain indications TO think that this is not the fact,
and still less will observers infer so, if they Judge
from what will be reported abroad.
1t is time now 10 take calm glance over some
of the events which led to the riot. and to con-
slider the duty Of the hour which rests on all
honest Hawaiians. The death Of the last Kane
hAmeha lett the country in a state Of great IN
certainty. No election OF King had ever
occurred. Some ardent spirits felt that the time
had come to proclaim a republic aud cast Of the
Constitution Of 1864. But the enthusiasm went
no further than to call for popular vote for VIII
liam c. Lunalilo, preceding the meeting OF the
Legislature. That vote probably did not change
the result which would have followed If it had
not been taken; bat it was supposed by the IA
tiyes that 1t was binding upon the Legislature.
Hence, when Emma called Tor the peoples vote
in Honolulu, last February, The men, women aud
children who filed through her yard depositiug
their ballots actually believed that they we're legal
" deciding her election.
The result Of the popular vote and Of the choice
Of the Legislature went still further and caused In
the popular mind general unsettling Of their old
ideas OF mouarchial rule Their crude idea was that
they had made King, and consequently that be
must also do their bidding, in appointing such men
for oiice as they wished, aud 10 other respects
Letters poured 10 upon him from all quarters, and
people obtained access to him making claims entire
y inappropriate to kiugly dignity. Al Luualilos
election il is worthy Of remark that Kalaksua was
the only contestant Of the Throne who was named
or thought Of Nearly majority Of the Legislature
were thought 10 be 10 bis favor. No cue then said
q word about them. Il even feared that he
would resist the vote BY violence. But be did moth
iug Of the sur5 and AFTER Luualilo's election, not
Eithstandiug his popularity, which so great as
10 excite Luuaio's jealousy, and 10 b one Of the
main causes why be was not appointed IS successor
Kalakaua kept quietly at his post as a clerk in the
Home Office As the end Of Luualilo's life drew
near, It seemed evident 10 those best informed on
the subject, that no one hui Kalakaua could be
elected by the MOBILES aud Representative and that
the appointment OF 10 one else Would be approved
by the MOBILES. Luualilo was urged 10 save the pa
tion the evil OF a popular election by making his
appointment Of Kalakaua, or il be could not per
suade himself to do that, By appointing some Que
else. But strangely enough. the very man who,
with perhaps mistaken affbility, or possibly frcm
iuczperienee 10 the rules which should govern 10
such place had lent ready to advisers Of all
kinds and conditions. now utterly refused TO do
suythiuz either to present TO the MOBILES Kaakaua,
Emma or anyone else as his choice. De sometimes
asserted that as the Legislature chose him, they
must choose his successor. Whether bis failure to
appoint vas the obstiuacy or weakness Of sick
man, or from other motives, can never be known.
Immedilfely on Luuahlo's death, the Legislature
was summoned to meet at as early date as was prac-
ticabie. Kaakaul's claim to the throne was made
known in 3 quiet and unpreieudiug manner. and it
was also made knoWn. that be would neither use
nor permit any Unconstitutional action 10 bis favor
He had publicly declared this both before and alter
the demise or LHnaIiIo. Then came forth public
appeals from Emma It was announced that she
was wealthy and would give the royal salary to the
nation; that she was Lunao's choice, bat that bis
wishes had been thEarted By Others that she would
release prisoners all over the Kingdom, take OF
taxes. and be the great beuefaetor Of the people
Tue simple minded, who were mlsed By these
things, did not to know nor care FOR The fact
that Emma 90 FAR from being wealthy bad but little
which she could call her own, excepting The yearly
&C. 900 voted her for rany years BY the Legislature;
that 10 sovereign has the power 10 DO What she
promised and that the Only legitimate action to be
taken 10 determining who should be sovereign was
peaceful vote Of The Legislature. II j. entirely
improbable that Emma told her adhereuts 10 use
violence Hpon the Legislature. And perhaps IL may
be said hat she aerscf used no criminal or unaN-
iul means Tor elecil0necrlik JOY lefteL Bal alter
;be sad results which followed the election Il would
seem 70 be the simplest and clearest duty which she
aud al connected with hercould perform, 10 do all
iu their power 10 shOE that they deporcd the Vio-
lencc Of the mob, that they desired 70 promote the
tranquility Of the Kingdom, and shove al to set an
Lsmps Of l9yaliy 10 the consiitufiouay elected I
king Many Of those who had been Der true friends I
have done this, and have taken pains to dsclsim 81
sympathy with the mob, and 70 quiet the disafTec.
ton % those whose h0pes from Emma had been ex- 4
cited But We await with considerable interest 70 1
zee whether she herself will act - . loyal subject 1
81 The King, In preventing misguided people from 4
talking q her, and treating her II she vas 10 any
wise Injured by the lsSui choice Of the legislature
Does sse lend sanction 70 any Of the absurd stale
meuts made concerning bert We believe not, but i
neither Do We know that she ezers herself to deny
them. We shall be disappointed 10 We hear from
Der 10 sympathy FOR the representatives, who were I
70 terribly treated b her supposed friends