The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-09-30

| meDt had been so corrupt that IL ver,
evident that the Constitution were in
complete or that, under its provisions
corruption ard misgovernment coulC
exist and great wrong be done, ther
some cause would exist for the outcry
which has been made by few against it
The real cause of the outcry which, a
the present time, undoubtedly is made
by a large number of people in The
Kingdom comes from the fact that tht
prejudices OF the ignorant and that the
worse OF all preiudices, race jealousy
has beer aroused by false and wicked
appeal to that sentiment 1t is not true
to say that the native Hawaiian is de-
prived OF any rights by the Constitution
He not only retains all the rights which
he ever had, but, by our new funda-
mental law. ne obtains rights which he
never had and the mere proposition tc
grant which few years ago would have
| been looked upon as an idle dream Ii
is not true to say that the Hawaiian is
not entitled to vote for Mobiles. The list
OF voters for Mobiles throughout the
Kingdom Will show that half If not more
of the list. is made up OF Hawaiians.
The object sought to be obtained in
representative SON - "
rash and hasty legislation by having one
| department OF government act as a
check and balance to the other, and, IN
legislative department, this end is
sought to be obtained by the institution
of two branches OF the Legislature which
shall be so dissimilar in their origin and
nature SIS to still further check and con-
troll the enactment OF laws.
The lesson taught to us by history is
that any country which is governed by
the representatives OF one class only OF
the people soon becomes the prey to i'll
devised, hasty and injurious laws. To
prevent such an issue was the object
striven for by the trainers of the Consti-
tuition OF 1887. All OF the men in the
country possessed OF ordinary inteli-
gence practically are entitled to vote for
one branch of the legislature. In order
to insure q conservative element therein
the other branch is elected by those
whose possession OF property or the re-
ceipt OF moderate income indicates in
telligence OF more than an ordinary
nature, sobriety, industry. skill and
conservative tendencies and yet, the
real object which is apparently sought
bv those who would have a new
constitution framed for the country, is to
break down those conservative limita-
tons to legislative power and authority.
The provision in the present Constitu-
ton with regard to amendments is iden-
teal with that OF the former constitution
and provisions which worked to the evi-
dent advantage OF all the people. This
provision is amply sufficient TO rectify
ordinary wrongs or Inconvenience or to |
do away with any danger which appears |
to be imminent in the future. To over |
turn the Constitution by providing new |
0ne in any other manner is revolution, /
aud revolution is iustifiahle only on the /
ground that the law and the government |
mas become so corrupt that the people |
nave an overwhelming cause of COM
1laint: that they are subject to aggrieY-
lnces and abuses that cannot be borne,
md for which there is no remedy ex-
,ept the overturning Of the Government
md the Constitution,
a glance at the condition of the coun-
~ S.ud the position OF the inhabitants
hereof shows at once that no such
.auses exist, and that there is no reason
Why Constitutional Convention should
)e called if the object be merely to fur
lish relief for grievances. 1T has been
Urged that the Chinese question is OF so
q nature and character as to
make change imperative. The facts,
however, do not bear out this argument.
The restrictive Acts OF 1887 and 1855, I'M
Ter this Constitution, have shown that
he Chinese question is capable OF con-
rol, even without constitutional amend
nent. and while the committee favors an
to permit of further restric-
ion and class legislation with regard to
hen, no reason exists why such changes
annot be regularly brought about. Ger
ainly no danger from the Chinese ques-
ion exists which is OF such an immi-
lently terrible character as to render the
in any danger OF being oyer
before the expiration OF two
ears, by which time the Constitution
an be amended and restrictive laws be
enacted and in operation. The country
vas never more prosperous than now;
business never more flourishing; the
public health and education were never
)etter cared for; perfect tranquility and
,eace would prevail except for the efforts
If a few demagogic agitators who have
stirred up the ignorant to believe that
hey now suffer wrongs that are intoler-
Ible, but which are, in fact, largely i'm
Iginary and do not exist. 1t is perfectly
ale to say that nine out of every ten OF
hose who are supposed to desire q
.hange in the Constitution, in order to
protect them from wrong and restore to
hem rights taken away, do not know
What the provisions of the Constitution
ire, nor do they know what the sup
oosed rights are which they claim have
1een taken away. With regard to the
delegation which went to His Majesty
he King, asking for a new Constitution,
I does not appear tnat they were dele
yates elected by the people generally,
Tor that they represented any one. ex-
,ept in few instances, but themselves;
Tor did they represent the influential
md representative people in the dis
riots. The petitions sent to the Legisla-
IRE bear evidence of having been gotten
Up by parties in Honolulu for the pur-
pose of creating an excitement upon the
question and sent to other districts for
signatures 1t is not true that in any
aspect the honor and dignity of the
Sovereign have been Inundated or les
.aned nv tho Constitution II is MT frra !