Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-01-20
CORONATION FARCE,

A number and probably all of our local
lodges, societies, ETC., have been invited to be
present at the coronation ceremony on the 18th
Of February next. 1t seems that in some of
these the opinions concerning the matter are
not unanimous, and it could hardly be ex-
pected that it would be. While it is true that
the coronation is not at all popular, there are
number who will want to attend. These can
mainly be divided into two classes-those who
hold public Office and are thereby in measure
and those who are prompted by curiosity alone.
Even though there be several of these in the
various Societies in Honolulu yet there is no
good reason why these lodges or societies, rs
We believe that most societies carefully keep
aloof from everything of political nature, and
are bound to uphold good government. Is not
this coronation dodge Of the King political
manGuvre, totally Unnecessary and if it have
any influence on public affairs, as it must, will
it not be rather for evil than for good Kala-
kaua is King Of Hawaii nei. He cannot be
any more King than he now is, though he
should be crowned thousand times. The pro-
ject is from the very first the result of anything
but good government, inasmuch as it drinks
up vast sums Of the peoples money which is
badly needed for other and important purposes.
To countenance such misgovernment by being
present at the farce is to encourageit. Although
large sums Of money have been appropriated
for the fiasco the sum is not nearly sufficient to
cover the expenses. The next Legislature will
be called upon to pick the nations pockets
again to secure "little more coin to square
the accounts Of this profigate government,
and most prominent among the items of def
ciencies will be the "coronation."
We do not hold that it is necessary for even
the majority Of government officials to attend
the ceremony. In many instances the Office
sought the man and not the man the Office. Ir
any case each should be perfectly independent,
and because their superiors in office encourage
this ridiculous and unnecessary expenditure OF
the peoples money is no reason why they
should be compelled to play second fiddle and
mimic the strains Of their leaders, when the,
heartily disapprove of the whole scheme
Every private citizen who believes land who
does not) that this is an enormous evil, should
refuse to attend, for to be present is to ac
quiesce in the proceedings.
There are in the neighborhood Of 10000
people in this group. Kalakaua is only one o
these. AS King he merits and receives con
sderations that others do not but there is
limit beyond which no one should go. No one
should be more interested thaRth King in
seeing the people properly governed, and il hs
possessed spark Of patriotism, rather thar
squander the public funds upon his own vanit,
he would have been content to reign as did hi.
six predecessors, without crown which car
no, egitimately lend him any additional powe
OF sanctity. II the people unanimously acced'
to his requests and stand ready to pander to
his desires in this matter, what will be ex
pected Of them next1 II they show themselve.
so willing TO be led the time will come wheI
they will "ge, left and the King will take
as right, whatever he desires ; and with few
more ministries like the present, We may b
prepared for the establishment Of despotism
When the coronation takes place mex, month
only the minority who Svor the project shoul,
be present.