The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-01-20
[FrOm N de vArisay's Ia years In Hawaii
The King goes on a voyage around the
Islands, accompanied by Mr.. wyllis.

Islands, accompanied By Mr.. Wyllis.
BY the terms Of the decree. the Convention
would consist OF The members OF the House OF
Mobiles 10 the number Of fifteen and tbe Delegates
OF the people to the number of q. The King re.
served for himself the right to preside over the de-
bates. In oil The districts the most advanced can
didates put themselves forward, patronized aud
sustained by the Protestant Mission aries, some Of
whom did not disdain to descend into the political
arena, and solicit the votes OF the people. Ia act
ing thus. they made use Of an undonbted right. but
they far exceeded that right when they falsely
affirmed as they did from the pulpit that the gov
eminent intended to establish q state church. The
King thought it proper 70 oppose a formal denial
to these allegations SO constantly repeated. Ever
since his accession to the throne he had cherished
a desire TO visit the different Islands OF the nrchf-
pelago II appeared to him q Citing opportunity
to carry out this design and reassure his subjects
regarding bis Intentions. The Cabinet having
been consulted approved the project, and on the
oath of May, the King embarked on board his
yacht and proceeded TO the Island OF Kauai, Mr.
Wyllie, who had invited the King to be his guest
ut bis plantation on that Island, accompanied him.
This voyage was accomplished without any mis-
adventure. The King visited In succession the
Islands OF Kauai. Maui, and Hawaii, where be had
the warmest reception. Every where be endear
voTed to make known bis intentions TO establish
the truth, and to e~nlishten his subjects upon their
own interests. Unfortunately our colleague Mr..
w ylll6. carried away Dy pabklOus anu eXhspeThte0
by the calumnies of The opposition Journals often
spoiled the good effect ofsthe Kings words by his
furious ~sorties, and furnished to bis adversaries as
well as TO ours. arms Of which they well knew how
to make skillful use. Pushed to xtremities by
pompous eulogies which the enemies Of the minis
try made of the constitution Of 1862. Mr.. Wyllie
often forgot himself in the viyacity OF his replies,
and falling into the snares which had been prepar-
ed for him, testified loudly 10 the little respect
which be had for that which was the supreme law
Of the kingdom, all defective as u was Certain
phrases in his discourse carefully collected, re-
produced and commented upon by the opposition
our task by giving us the appearance Of violence
farthest from our Intentions. .
THE CONVENTION HAS MET.
The sessions of the 18th and 18th Of July, were
very lively and passionate. On each side the most
radical were engaged, and the majority OF the
Delegates following the lead OF the chiefs Of Che
opposition, threatened us with an irremediable
check. Under such circumstances, the session OF
the l4th opened The King presided as usual.
He had not spoken since the 1lth and contented
himself with following closely the progress OF
debate. At the commencement OF this session be
sent me the following note. the de-
bate and enter nllyinto the discussion. Ills time to
declare to the Delegates that tbe present mode OF
review of the Constitution has been adopted In
accordance With the opinion Of the Judges Of The
Suprehne Court maintain the sovereign power. OF
the Convention and prodnce III 1t isnecessary. the
minutes of the session OF the council held on. the
Sd Of March. / am about to address some words
to the Convention and do you co@nfPce directly
that / have sat down"
Then rising midst profound silence the King ex-
pressed himself thus: mobiles and Delegates. the
the Delegate from the district of KoDa has presen-
ted . motion the aim of which Is to declare that
this Convention has no authority to alter the Con-
stitution. At the time Of the proclamation OF the
OF 1852 the supreme power was in
the hauds Of the King. Where is this supreme
power today 1t is here in this assembly and no
where else; the Delegate from Kona declared yes
terday that he could not sit and vote definitely on
the Constitution. In 80 saying he may have ex-
pressed the wishes Of bis constituents. III such IL
the case ii lies between him and them IL is q mat
ter between him and them alone. They may II IL
seems good to them, join their efforts to ours or
abstain from so doing as their Delegate shall think
1t is for him to render an accout TO them
how he has done his duty to them,
The task which Femained to me was not very
difficult. The discussion became very much en-
and many of the orators who had taken
the floor had made declarations so clear and so de-
cisive. that it was impossible for them TO retrace
theit steps. 1t was necessary therefore % prompt
in them q desire 90 10 do and at the came time TO
give them the opportunity. To obtain the FIRST
result, / thought it proper TO insist especially upon
the responsibility which they would incur to-
wards their constituents. / demonstrated to. them
that ia calling them to participate b. tbe labor .of
q Coastituticn, the King abdIcated volun-
tarily a part Of his authority. and associated them
with himself in a task from which bis predecessors
bad excluded them. Would they not be under
stOOo as 0eclarlnR -Dy Lneu apparent reIusdl 70
assist, that to the King alone or TO the King and
Mobiles belong this authority, and could IL be that
they intended to refuse in the name Of The people
whose representatives they were a,privilege watch
other people had often claimed with arms In their
hands. Affecting then to see in this conflict moth
ing but a Misunderstanding which a frank and
loyal explanation would clear up, l added that by
the order of the King and 10 put an end TO honor
able s~cruples, / had been authorized to declare
that the Judges of the Supreme Court bad been
consulted by us AS the guardiaas Of the ConsiitI-
ton. and had advised that the calling Of a Con-
vention like this was the only legal and practical
mode of revision of the Constitution Of 1852. and
making it the common work Of the three orders OF
the state. and taking away from 10 the character Of
a Constitution granted by the sovereign power.
The Attorney General followed me urging the
legal view of the question. which he did with abil-
ity. In vain the chiefs Of the opposition endeav-
ored to rally their adherents. II was evident that
they had lost ground, and that the Delegates re-
coiled from the responsibility which we were
to force upon them. Messrs Judd and
the discussion TO the next day, for IL was necessary
for them TO take account Of their position.
The next morning. the session commenced by a
speech from Mr.. Robertson and the reading of a
from Mr.. Davis, the Judge OF the Supreme
Court. Judge Allen was abseBt) Both ratified
declaration of the preceding day the discus
was resumed with vigor. We needed two
votes from among the Delegates TO carry our point
to the votes OF the Mobiles, il was quite sure.
The Attorney General aud myself resumed our
of the day before-whilst pressing our
adversaries still harder. The chiefs OF the oppo-
They struggled with energy, but were
almost in despair. At the opening Of the debate,
they had % votes out of the u Delegates. At the
close the vote stood IA to I3 from among the Dele
gates with all the Mobiles on our side We moved
. reconsideration pro forma which was put
amidet fha Iivalipgt aOiiatiGu The Hall was filled