The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1891-12-16

The Bush Platform Endorsed
Vickedness of the Planters
Exposed-Criticisms of the
Iudiciary-AUeged Crown
Land and Tax Frauds.

\ meeting Of the National Liberal
League was held yesterday evening
at Robinson's Hail. The meeting
being called to order by Vice Presi-
dent Wolters at 7 40.
Mr.. WOLTERs stated that he regret
ted the small attendance though the
meeting had been advertised. He
called upon Mr.. G.. w. Ashford for
an address.
Mr.. ASHFORD said: Mr.. President
and gentlemen, hope the small at
tendance is not because it was an
nounced that was to speak. I shall
disappoint those who expect any
offensive remarks. It is not neces-
sary in discussing public issues at
the present juncture to say anything
offensive. Public speakers may be
exasperated or goaded into personali-
lies, hut that is not my fortune at
present. [ hope to be able to discuss
calmly and in spirit of charity.
have not prepared set speech but
will review the declaration of prin-
ciples of the National Liberal Party.
The speaker read section ~
We find in this first declaration
that all just government is found
ed on liberty and that the
people have a right to abolish
and change. [ believe in that. Gov
eminent is for the benefit of the
people, not of any class or any family.
There was an idea in the dark ages
land some nurse it even now that
government was for the few-the
reigning sovereign or family. These
ideas are exploded now. and we may
take it for granted that wherever
civilization exists, government is for
the benefit of the governed, and no
government is just when it ceases to
be of, for and by the people. With that
declaration, therefore, [ sympathize.
The section goes on to say that the
present Constitution was established
by fraud and intimidation. 1t may
be thought strange if l concur in that
when it is known that [ assisted in
framing that Constitution. l admit
that did; but it was simply make
shift and is not adapted to present
conditions. The League int nded
and expected to form Republic and
was taken by surprise when it became
impossible to do so without breach
of faith to the King. That faith re-
suited from the demands made by the
mass meeting, with which he COM
piled, thereby upsetting all calcula-
ton. Those who had the matter in
hand had to conform. The new Con-
stitution was drafted in haste. Some
of us worked like beavers all one
Sunday. The speed is shown by the
fact that the Cabinet was sworn in on
the 1st of July and the Constitution
engrossed and signed by the King on
the 9Th. Such haste is Incompatible
with the care, exhaustive research
and particularly necessary in the
fundamental law, and there
fore there are imperfectiOns.
There were some things necessary,
then, which are no longer necessary,
and this brings me to the section in
regard to the franchise. 1t was abso
lutely necessary that the Reform
Party should carry the first election.
A reverse would have endangered our
precious necks, and so it was neoes
sary to deprive the race opposed TO US
the native) of the elective right.
That is the absolute secret, gentle
men, of the elective qualification.
We knew it at the time. We knew
the vast majority of the natives coulu
not qualify, and that the foreigners
would be able to sweep the NOBLE
ticket at anyrate. 1t happened that
the movement was more popular than
We had thought. Forty seven out OF
forty eight men elected were
pledged to support the Con
stitution. [ submit that the
clause Oimiting the franchise is no
the natives then and is still. 1t was
unsafe then but is no longer unsafe.
The hostile feelings of that time nave
now largely died out, so that the enc
mics of that dav can talk across the
Chasm, and some who favored thaC
clause then can come forward ana
tell the story and favor its abolition.
In my opinion there is now no neces-
sity for it and there never was any
abstract Justice in it. We can now
return to that Justice and restore 10
the natives the privilege enjoyed Dy
so many foreigners. 1t is UNJUST Cn IaI
the owner of $4,000 can vote and the
owner of $1,000 not. Two years ago
nine mobiles were elected on this ISL
and and a representative in each dls-
trlct. One man could vote forten men,
and another who fell 81 short coulu
vote for but one. am reminded OF Che
remarks of Gen. Jackson when argu-
ing as to the property qualification.
de said, take two neighbors, one ed-
ucated and intelligent, but with no
property, another, uneducateu, la
less intelligent, but owning properly
What is that property? A mule
he can vote; the other man caliioU.
Who does that voting, the man OF or
the mule? So then, one man may oe
eminently qualified to vote, put ne -
Just on the wrong side of the Ilne,
While another, far less qualified, can
vote for ten men. Is it the man ~, "
tne money sack which votes? 1h Inc
franchise should be restored 10 Clle
sons of the soil, so that they may eA-
press freely their views as to their rep
desentatives. L resent ana resIsC
any attempt to make the properly
qualification permanent. Applause
1hls platform further demands ne"
Constitution, setting forth that Tue G
present was obtained by fraud aliJ
toFGe. To consent to that is to pleau
guilty of fraud and force. IL thele
G TaS any, [ was guilty. sun Vi ho
constitution is not what it shoulu oF
tbs III secure the harmony and content .,
n rne people, and therefore | agree 70 o. "