Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1880-10-23
Hawaiian Politics.


lands by the schooner Claus STeckels, while
not SO cheerful as might be 10 not actually dis
couraging. Business 10 naturally dull, for
confidence, not in the country but in the wis
dom of the Executive, has been sadly shaken.
Still we do not think that what has been actu-
ally done could Justify anything approaching q
withdrawal of confidence. The King, momen-
tarily forgetting that he was constitutional
sovereign and not a dcsposic chief whose word
was law, has acted arbitrarily and foolishly
and we may say with q bad lack Of that open
candor hich alone can build up natural re.
gard between modern ruler and free people.
We are assured that tile King never coiltem-
plated that his action could canse so much
feeling amongst the best and most responsible
Of his own people, or amongst the friends Of
his country in the United States. We can
quite believe that his surprise at The result Of
his action, at its effect Oh the credit Of his
country, is unfeigned. We can well under
stand his claim that his American friends
were ." too hasty," and his desire to show us
that we condemned him without hearing both
sides. We have no hesitation in admitting
that many things that the King has been ac-
cused of have been either untrue or grossly
exaggerated. The Merchant, as one Of the
warm friends of the Islands, has not fallen in
to these errors. We have said nothing in ang-
err though some things in sorrow, and have
nothing to take back. The King has done
many foolish things, but the worst he has
done for himself has been to exhibit o want of
manly ghtforwardness. In truth, we be-
lieve that the King has learnt lesson, and
that is, that royal blunders are worse than
other mems crimes, and to seek to deceive or
circumvent q nation is worse than to rob an
individual. However, Hawaii is not the first
constitutional kingdom that has passed through
a crisis, nor is it the first of these excitii 6
events that has befallen our Island neighbers.
And after oil, these exciting discussions edu-
cate free people, and during their oontinu.
ance the native mind learns rapidly the princi-
pies of free government. From to-day the
commission of arbitrary acts by the executive
will become less probable in Hawaii, because
the people will better understand the purport
of such assumptions Of prerOgative, and by
quiet but constitutional resistance will make
all such ilegalities not only Intellectual but
cause them to recoil upon their perpetrators.
Every such struggle between the crown and
the people should leave the government and
the people wiser aud better. If the ruling
powers Of the little kingdom are prudent they
will try to keep affairs moving along smoothly
and hnrmoniously, and if the people will look
around them they will sec that there 10 MOTH
ing in the government of any other tropical
island in the world for them TO envy. Tho
American people wish both king and people
prosperity and all the blessings Of peace, but
there might be an end to friendly forbear-
ance, and it ia very certain that should Ameri-
can interests be endangered by Internal dis
sensions, the power Of tho United States would
mako itself felt.-S. +. Merchant.
If it be true that King Kalakaua, after tho
expressions of public opinion against Moreno
when the King made him l,is minister, has
sent him abroad with rowing commission in
any official capacity, his Majcsty's act y de-
serving Of the severest reprobati0n. Tho
opinion Of the whole Island Kingdom was, no
doubt, fairly represented by tho opinion Of
Honolulu, and that was % res0lutely set
against the King . favorite that for his Majesty
to retain him in any capacity u daring OK
hibition Of royal obstinacy. II Moreno has any
authority from the King, or has been em-
powered in any way to speak for the King
while abroad, the people Of Hawaii ought to
know II. And IL they find il 10 DO % they ought
not 10 rest until the Kings ministers openly
withdraw that authority. II tho Cabinet has
not influence enough with the King to do this.
it should be compelled TO resign. The King
cannot rule without ministry, and TO attempt
it would DO dangerous ~ his dynasty. II Mo-
reno has no commission or authority from the
King he ought TO be denounced % m iuapostoT
by ofAcial proclamation. We Ill here know
the fellow TO DO an unsorupulouA sdveDturer,
and bis character ought 10 10 made known
officially to the representatives OF the govern
ments he may come In contact within his travels
Neither the credit nor tho honor OF Hawaii 10
safe while this soldier Of fortune y pessAittsd
even by word Of mouth 70 claim any olicial
counsction with that governn,ess upeontra-
dicted. IS +. Nsrchant. 4s,,., II .,.,.. AZ