The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-10-11

moves for d constitutional Government
fell through. The entire white popula
ton was against new constitution, or
nearly the whole Of it. The ordinary
Kanaka doesn't know what constitu:
ton is, nor has he an interest in such
things
When other and lawful means for Sc
curing a new constitution failed, the
Queen attempted a COUP d'etat There
was great pretense of native politi.
cal organization carrying the draft of a
constitution to the Queen and asking
her to promulgate it. 1t was all pre-.
tense. The Queen had originated the
idea and had the constitution written
herself. 1t is significant fact that that
constitution, upon the failure to pro-
mulgate it, was destroyed. Its friends
never dared show it.
The attempt was made at the palace
Immediately upon the Propagation Of
the legislsture. The legislature had
lasted eight months, and during all the
time the Queen was interfering with the
business of that body and obstructing
1t as she could. The foreigners had
come to see there was no possibility OF
stable government under Hawaiian
rule.
The lottery bill had passed and the
Queen had signed it against the petit
ton and remonstrance of all the lnfiu-
entail men and women of the Islands.
The opium bill had also passed, and
she had signed that.
When, then, the Queen attempted to
force a new constitution upon the peo-
pie, the long forbearance and patience
they had shown toward her gave out,
and they dethroned her. The foreigners
are the leaders in the Islands in every
thing. Not single instance can be
shown of a Hawaiian at the head OF
any busineSs-as store, or a planta-
ton, or lumber yard-except that
one half.white owns large district OF
land which is eaten up by mortgages.
SO naturally the whites led in the revo-
luton, but not more than one missionary
was present at the meeting, nor had
they anything to do in bringing about
the Queens overthrow.
But | must tell you, the word "mis-
sionary" does not mean, in the politics
of the Hawaiian Islands, what you
understand it to mean-a teacher OF
religion--but rather man who lives a
moral life, honestly pays his debts, and
especially one who goes to church. In
the use of the word and this only,
were the "missionaries" the one who
dethroned the Queen.
As for Minister Stevens, the Ameri
cans were proud of their Minister.
They had confidence in him. On his
departure they raised $1,000 for silver
service for him as a testimonial of their
appreciation of his worth. He did not
interfere in Hawaiian politics.
The troops landed from the Boston
were landed solely for the protection OF
American interest the lives and prop
erty of American citizens, and if Ameri
cans in the United States complain Of
the proceedings, American wives and
mothers and helpless women in Homo.
lulu cannot do so. They felt sense
of protection at knowing American
soldiers were SO near to them in that
time of trouble.
The masses do not want the Queen
restored, From my own personal
knowledge the native masses are en-
trely Indifferent about the matter. A
popular vote would be no true expires.
sion of native sentiment, for the ordi
nary Kanaka reflects the opinion OF
the man who had his ear last or who
gives him the biggest bribe. Ordinarily
he does not take the trouble to have
an opinion upon any subject.
! took pains to ask common Ha
waians after the revolution what the,
thought about annexation. The reply
was always Gust as you like, If you
want il, its all right; or "That is for
you to settle" (meaning foreigners suc
leading Hawaiians) 81 have no claim
on it"
The Queen forfeited by her owr
act all her right to reign, and the in
justice would be in restoring her to the
throne, to trample again upon the
rights of the men who pay the taxes
do the business, and who save bel
little country from being like othei
heather islands Of the Pacific ocean.