The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1888-02-14
THAT veto DECISION.

Eprros GAzrrrE; " But if the policy of the
Government, upon vital questions affecting
the whole people. Is 60 be lrrevocablv fixed
by decisions of the Supreme Court, II Is PLAIN
that the people will have ceased to be their
own rulers, having turned their Government
over 10 the deSp0tism of the few life officers
composing the CoaTt. H-4rticis aH Lincoln ~
CsH'tirg Tol' Dtrswbrr.
The parallel is obvious.
1t Is at times exceedingly difficult to
analyze the gauzy, delicate texture of
certain judicial opinions, and, strange
to say, the data that form the sub
structure on which certain decisions
are based are 80 very subtle As to defy
the clear and absolute tests of preee-
dent
The issue at stake, plainly hewn out,
is merely another manifestation of the
''divine" principle of absolute rule,
opposed to the spirit of progress. No
court OF justice can graft the two to-
gether. There can be no possibility of
fusion between them, and their incom-
patibility Will ever prevent them join
ing hands. Such combination would
be as difficult rs that of TWO hearts and
brains in one body.
We We're entering upon period OF
internal reform, of political rec0nstruc-
! ton, with rapidity that could but
enhance our influence abroad. There
/ was ample growing room, aud the
fairly the feelings and aspirations of
the whole people. Shall this move
ment stop, and the efforts made by us
thus far be abandoned amid the tauts
| and jeerS of a handful of rag, tag and
bobtail political opponents
In the last Parliament sat men who
were the true representatives of the
nations sense and choice, and the de
| alterations arrived at by them were in
| every respect an answering appeal TO
| the wants of the people. The Symp-
/ toms of revival We're general. The
constitutional head of the Government
was credited in public with straight
/ forward wish to live on good terms
with the people, with a disposition TO
adopt more constitutional principles,
and assume in fact more popular
character.
In what way has this hope borne
| fTUite In place of the harmony il was
anticipated the King and people would
| exhibit toward one anOther-a condi-
ton Of things that must exist in every
constitutional monarchy if one or
other is not 10 90 TO the wall-the
former initiates a course of procedure
/ in violation of all constitutional prin-
! cipleS, a course that offers no other
prospect then the Inauguration of de-
/ faint deSpOtiSm, resting on medieval
| ideas OF crown rights, and works
| through body who, we regret to say,
! have identified themselves as the eX-
/ ponents of ! parrOw-minded, reaction
airy policy, and popular indignation
must point them out rs determined
| champions of deSpOtic royalty.
The struggle then has but just be-
gun. In any struggle between the eN-
! preston and enforcement of the peO-
| pies rights founded on constitutional
fact and the enunciation of the divine
! right of absolute rule, only one result
can and will eventually prevail, and
| to conSummate this result the spirit of
/ the age may sometimes draw inspiTa-
/ ton from powerful sources lying dor
mant not far from the surface.
The men of genuine liberal conyic-
lions shall not lay aside the task they
have taken in hand, nor will the peo-
pie allow them TO surrender those con-
stituionaI principles they hold TO be
cardinal aNioHls OF reforms.
No individuality Of power founded
on preroeative, divine right or other
title hostile to the interests of progress
can be weighed against the sterling,
lasting quality Of peoples just de
mands. History points to some red
letter days proving the memorable
logic, and history sometimes repeats
! ITSELF HILOITE.
Hilo, Hawaii, Feb. 9, 1883.