New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-18
DEATH OF THE KING OF THE SANDWICH
ISLANDS.


OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY CALLED FOR
FEB. l2-DAvID KALAKUA PROBABLE SUCCESSOR
TO THE THRONE.
SAN Francisco, Feb. 1.-THE Australian mail
steamship City of Melbourne has arrived, by the way
of Honolulu. The steamer brings the particulars
of the death of the Hawaiian King Lunalilo on the
Sd inst, at his palace the Island of Hawaii. His
demise had been expected for several days.
The members of the Cabinet were called together
at once, and ordered meeting of tho Legislative
Assembly on the 18th of February to consider the
condition of the affairs of the Government. At
Kahoolawe, on the 4th inst, a mass meeting de-
clared in favor of David Kalakaua the most power
full chief in the nation, as Lunalilo's successor.
Queen Emma tho widow of Kamehameha w. is
also named for the succession and there will prOba-
bly be a severe contest in the Legislature the
question.
ngwiniam Lunaio. whose death is above announced,
was the sixth Of the Hawaiian soyereigns The regnng
house was founded by Kanehameha L. In $780, when the
islands were consolidated under central govern
ment The immediate predecessor OF Lunalilo was
Kamehameha W. who died childess In 1872; as he failed
to nominate bis provided by the Constitu
ton, there q brief interregnum Prince william
Lunalo son OF one OF The great cbefs Kanaina, was
the most popular as we'll most natural candidate
10 tho vacant throne He appealed TO the people, prom
slng to abide by their vote. In an address skllfuly
written and appealing to their loyalty to the ancient line
of CHIEFS he promised the people that hewoud the
Constitution 1884, which had been arbitrarily set aside
by the King The only candidate opposed to Luna
lilo was David Kalakaua, of the descendants of the
great Kamehameha. A vote was taken on the lst or
January 1879 and Prince William Lunalio elected
almost unanimously only 10 ballots being cast against
him in about votes. This an Informal express
sion of the popular wish. But when tho Legislative
Assembly met Jan. 8, 1sI3 to choose King according
TO the Constitution the choice Of the people was ratified
without dissenting voice. The coronation took place
next day. the new King assuming power under the title
OF King Lunao l.
His brief reign has been characterized by wisdom,
moderation, aud tender regard for popular rights
One of his first to fun tho promises made in
his appeal for q pebiscitn; he also initiated several
beneficial reforms Of which was the endowment OF
all natyeborn citizens with the right of suffrage and
another was the division OF the Legislative Assembly
into two branches composed Of elective represent
All yes and the other mobiles, descendants OF the
old native chiefs This served TO popularize the legsa
tive branch OF the Government and, AT the same hme
to perpetuaethe ancient sentiment OF loyalty to the
islandkchels which has suffered some dinuon OF late
years.
ouently in the flower OF his manhood when he died
He leaves legitimate issue and was unmarried
Like all of the Sandwich Islanders OF the upper class he
received an excellent English education from the Amer-
can ,ssonares and had passed several years OF his
life in the United States He passonately devoted
10 the native rights dignity and traditions of his coun-
,rv but above all loher friendly nations, he gave his
sincere friendship to tho Uutoi States and the people
thereof He was 4 remarkably handsome man, OF dig
nied presence and possessing the colossal physique
which cuisines the families OF the CHIEFS among the
other Hawauans He the eleventh prince by direct
aescent from the ancient Of kings or chiefs
who dominated the island Of Maui, before the
Kamehamehas began their reign. He was
REGARDED By the Hawaiians In his early days OF
d,ssoluteness with a supersttous reverence which
referred everything TO the NEUROLOGICAL period OF their
own national history, and which other people conid
never understand. Hscapacty for strong liquors was
enormous, aud exravagant stories are told
Of his excuses After his sudden accsssioh to regal
d,onity however he initiated the example OF Prince
Hal and forsook his boon companions His life us King
was exemplary and above reproach.
Besides David Kaakaua, there likely TO be at least
one other candidate for the throne OF the
Emma Queen Dowager, the widow Of Kamehameha Nv.
ia popuar among the Hawaians and is also sure to
receive some support in popular election She Is
descendant Of the royal chiefs, but her father Mr.
Rookie was an Englishman. Mrs. Bishop. wife Of the
Minister OF Foreign Affairs, is another possible candi-
date She is descended from the family Of high chiefs,
II IA pretty certain that successor will be chosen
vthout distinct understanding that the candidate IL
thoroughly devoted independence OF the Hawaiian
Kingdom.
DISCOVERY OF MOUNT SINAI