The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1890-08-26
TIE PROPOSED CONVENTION.

:. Look before You leap is not
the less true from beng a trite pro-
verb. To borrow q smile from
one Of the " Bulletins eorrespon-
dents, our Legislature has been led
10 the edge Of preeiplce, and IS
invited TO take leap in the dark.
The revolutionary character OF
the proposal is thinly disguised by
introducingit in the shape OF Leg
islative act.
But the Constitution under which
the Legislature has been elected,
from which il derives all It's au-
thor1tv. and which its members
have sworn 10 maintain, preseribes
the only method in which 1t can be
lawfully amended ANY other
method is illegal and revolutionary.
If any of the members are so blind
as not 10 see this, let them have
the question argued before the Su-
preme Court. 1t requires no legal
learning to foretell what the result
will De.
The coup d'etat of kamehameha
V. is s very unfortunate precedent
for the advocates Of convention.
Kamehameha V was very careful
not TO take the oath 10 maintain
the Constitution of 1852, claiming
to be king by hereditary right. He
was also careful not TO convene the
Legislature elected under that Con-
stitution. Otherwise he would have
been obliged to follow the method
OF amendment provided in the Con-
stituuon itself. As it was, msny Of
MS friends and admirers cOnsid-
cred his course unnecessary and
ill-advised. For the sake of restrict
ing the power OF the people, he IN
settled the foundations of his gov
eminent, and gave occasion for the
disturbances of the next two
reigns.
When Lunalilo came to the
throne, although he strongly DIS
approved Of the course of his pre-
decessor in abrogating the Consti
tuition of kamehameha Ill, yet he
wisely took the oath TO maintain
that of 1864, under which he had
been elected. but caused certain
amendments TO II 10 be proposed in
the Legislature in the legal consti-
tutional way. 1t is i good example
for Us TO follow.
If this Legislature can proceed
TO disregard and 10 set aside our
present Constitution, OF what avail
would 1t be to insert any provi-
sions for amendment in any future
constitutions that may be hereafter
enacted They will be liable to be
changed every two years, and will
have no more stability than an
ordinary statute law.
Our present Legislature repre-
sents the different classes and in
terests of the country far better
than the proposed revolutionary
convention, which would represent
but one class, and would be easily
managed by the well known infu-
ences that have triumphed in the
closing hours of so many legisla-
tive sessions. Kamehameha '.
would have secuted the idea of in
trusting the task of drafting a new
Constitution to so ignorant and in
experienced body.
The fact is that it is not so much
the defects of our present Constitu-
ton as its excellencies, it's safe
guards for liberty and against cor
ruption. that are TO be at
tackled, such as the provision that
mo member Of the Legislature
shall, during the time for which he
is elected, be appointed to any civil
office under the Government, ex-
cept that of a member of the Cab
met"
During the last few months, the
credit of the Government has fallen
Y per cent in the London stock
market.
Consider what will be the effect
on the peace and prosperity of the
country. Of virtually tearing up
our present Constitution, and stalk
ing everything upon TIVE more gen
eral elections in quick succession,
in which party passion and race
jealousy will be worked up to the
highest possible pitch and by the
vilest means. Let US look before
We leap