The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-05-31

a Large Audience Present Minister
willis and Omcers of the American
war ships Participate.

hour, the old legislative nan III Nhe
Judiciary building was filed with spec
taiors. At five minutes to Il the Cabi.
net. headed by President Dole, crossed
over from the Executive building. Soon
afterward the members of the conven-
ton took their seats.
When the convention was called to
order by the President every seat in the
Iarge hall was occupied and standing
room was difficult to obtain at the door
WAYS and in the vestibules.
After an appropriate prayer by Rev.
II. II. Parker. President Dole arose and
read the following address, which was
received with prolonged applause:
COUNCILLORS AND DELEGATES, Mem
beers of the Constitutional Convention of
1894. In calling the Convention to,
order. | ask your attention to some mat
t.rs relating to the work for which you
have come together
The delay which the project of polit-
zeal union between Hawaii and the
United States of America has expert
euced has brought up the question of
modifying the present provisional
system in order to give the Govern
ment permanent form and to more
fully introduce the principle of repre-
sentatlon by the people.
The subject has been carefully con
sidered both from the standpoint of the
responsibility of the Executive and AID.
yisory Councils, and that of the rights
%; the people and the necessities of the
c.-e: and while such a change is i'm.
4 i .l.tI Inv IL
uthlc sentiment, it also appears CON
,uuant with our situation, which is
n urally favorable to the growth of
free institutions.
This being conceded it became neCes-
S nv to decide whether to reach the de-
red result by taking the present
5 stem as a basis and building upon
tat, or by wholly recognizing the
1vernmeut.
The latter method was adopted as
q wing more freedom of action and a
[ tier opportunity for establishing a
stem suited to national conditions.
The question of the composition of
tie Convention to be called, for making
a new constitution, was a perpleXing
@ ie. for while it was desired to have
O rect popular representation to as great
"a extent as might be possible, the
Councils felt that they could not, con
silently with the trust imposed upon
them by the proclamation of January
nth. 1898. relinQuish to other hands the
wnole responsibility in an enterprise so
vital to the future welfare of the
country. 1t was therefore decided to
confide the work to a body made up OF
the Councils and elected delegates.
1 need hardly remind you OF the diff
cult and delicate character of the duty
which the convention is called upon to
perform. The monarchy, after a period
OF deCadence which was threatening and
prtiudcial to all public and private in
terests. came to a logical end through its
own plot to turn back the movement OF
public progress and to subjugate all
national energies and aspirations in the
interests OF despotism.
This attempt conferred upon that por-
ton OF the community who were in SYM
patty with the political development OF
the State as an organization both the
right and the duty to intercept the
threatened retrograde movement; for no
part OF a nation which has made prog
ress in civilization has a right to drag
the other part back to barbarism; and
no ruler has the right to initiate such a
relapse relying upon the indifference or
want OF political sense OF portion OF the
population. Those who submit without
protest to such a scheme thereby confess
their inability TO accomplish or defend
their own civilization, and surrender the
task to those who are willing to do 1t fol
them.
There is, therefore, in the assumption
OF power in such a crisis by those who
would protect and foster the civil progres,
.. ,ft no rttF t. al.
those conspiriug against such progress
or OF those who may contemplate sucf
conspiracy with helpless Indifference be
cause unable to understand the-magni
tude of the injury with which they are
threatened.
The Provisional Government thu
springing from the ruins OF the mon
archy has administered public affair
until the time has now come to readjus
the civil system upon more representa-
tive lines.
The work of making a Constitution
Tor the government OF these islands upOI
a republican basis is beset with perpleX
ing questions which require for then
solution a large degree OF patriotism
wisdom, industry and courage
To express in "a constitution and law
tie political ideas of a people with
common origin, common religion anC
common purpose is an easy task il
,mparison with that of formulating
stem for the government of mlXe'
Taces without a common origin, re
| zion or purpose.
I believe, however, that we ma,
achieve success in our undertaking i
ere is secured to all coming unde
glch fundamental rule, system of i'm
,rtal justice and wise administrator
q nd there be established in the minds q
I lose who may be, from the eXigencie
the situation, excluded from partici
patton in the government, a sentimen
o. confidence in the integrity of tn
RIDERS.
The final test of the work which W
e compelled to take up by the reyol
o the deposed Queen against the OF
ganic law whence came her sol
authority, will be measured in tn
minds of those who are watching it, b.
our success in holding power withou
abusing it, and in administering govern
ment for the benefit of the many by tin
authority of those whose exercise o
political power is based upon capacit.
to discharge political duty.
Although the establishment of
Fundamental law which shall as far "A
possible provide for the safe and perma
nent administration of affairs upon tn
principles of a republican form of gov
eminent, will be the paramount objec
of your deliberations, the original pu,
purpose of the Provisional Government
to negotiate treaty Of political unlo
with the great and friendly nation tina
lies nearest to us, must, l respectfully