The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-04-18
Wailuku, April Is, 1898.
The Kings of Hawaii.

MR.. EDITOR: In studying this sub
ject one is struck with the vast differ
ence between the character of the frs
kings who ruled in this kingdom anC
those that have last welded the scep
tire here. The first were truly royal
noble set of men not unworthy Of
their high station, and, although
ignorant and uncultured, were re-
spected, honored and revered by all
classes of people, and had all of their
followers been like them, l venture to
assert without the least fear of contra
diction, that there never would have
been voice raised against them, and
they might have ruled here to the end
of time. But unfortunately the last
| few were not of this noble stamp;
they were of much baser metal, and
quite incapable of grasping the situa-
ton and conforming themselves to the
requirements of their high station in
this most progressive age of the
worlds history.
The browning evil of their reign,
however, has been mad longing for
absolute kingship or power; they
would be the great autocrats of all the
isles of the Pacific Ocean. They would
fly off from all restraint and WELD
their sceptre in defiance of order, right
or Justice, and thus bring ruin, mis-
fortune and untold misery upon all
the people. This mad policy has been
pursued almost throughout the entire
reigns of the last two Sovereigns, and
has wrought no end of mischief and
misfortune to all classes.
In King Kalakaua's reign this
struggle for absolute rule was fierce
and stubborn, and was carried on with
pertinacity worthy of better cause.
He met with considerable success,
too, but the success only proved to
what heights of folly, ignorance,
superstition and absolute sway could
lead a king. His conduct at last be-
came so outrageous that the people
could bear it no longer, hence the
revolution of 'S7, the new Constitution
and the new Government of that year.
This decisive action of the people |
suddenly brought the wild schemes of |
the king to a full stop; and it was
about time, for he had by his folly |
given the death blow to Sam Wilder's |
great projected railroad around Ha-
waii, driven away number of great |
as well as ruined the credit |
of the country.
1t was hoped when Queen LiliuOka-
lani came to the throne there would |
be a season of quiet and prosperity;
but we were deceived. She soon made
it appear that she wanted more power
than the Queen of England, the Presi-
dent of the United States, or even the
Gar of Russia. She would be an alb
sOlute queen or nothing. 1t was this
desire for despotism which caused her
ruin, and it will always prove the
downfall of tyrants, whether white or
black.
1t must not be supposed thatbecause
Jhe queen has been deposed we dislike
he native race. Indeed all will admit
hat the longer they know them the
more they appreciate their kindly ma
,ure. 1t must also be admitted that
hey have many kindly traits and
rood qualities, but that these are of
uch a nature as to fit them for so eX-
lifted a station as rulers we stoutly
ieny. The past two experiments have
ully proved the fallacy Of this propo-
itiOn. Indeed their ideas of govern
nent are the worst and most danger
'us that could possibly be adopted.
Their policy led them into two dan
.erous extremes. The first was to
etrograde back to the musty past of ]
heathenism, and the Sec
md to pose as dcspOts and rule in ac-
Ordance with the ancient "divine
ightn of kings.
For nearly twenty years this strug-
lie has being going on. 1t is not to !
e wondered at then that the peoples :
atience is about exhausted, or that
he industries and business of the
Ountry are paralyzed and the State
early bankrupt. Neither is it sur
rising that people should desire some !
1ore stable form of government, I'M
er which they can enjoy greater Sc
urity and freedom from anxiety than
an be had under would-be despotic q
overnment. =
The fact is, this struggle must come !
} an end at once; to carry it on
onger would be madness, and would
levitably end in civil war or some 7
hing worse. Therefore, we must
and hold fast the ground :
lat has been won. 1t has been a
ard fought struggle-one of might
gainst right-but right has at last
0nquered, and we must reap 4
he fruit Of victory, before the r
1untry is plunged headlong into ruin.
may require all the wisdom, all the .
'ct, all the courage, and, perhaps, b
OF few Of the lives of the champions {
liberty; but it must be accom- Z,
Iished at all hazards. To yield now !.
ere to invite tyranny, oppression, K
Iisrule, ruin, and disasters of ali 8