The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-09-27

Presidents decision i'm the matter,
having been published, President
Dole wrote a reply on the whole sub
ject. Mr.. Dole also sent able depu-
ties TO Washington, who by means OF
the platform and the press gained the
ear of the people, and, with such force
and eloquence did they tell their story,
and so clearly did they reveal the
true facts of the position that speedily
their cause was heartily espoused by
the whole American nation, and from
that point the cause of the ex.queen
Of Hawaii was utterly hopeless. But,
to return to Hawaii, we have said
that q Provisional Government was
set up in January, 1898. This Govern
ment, of course, was only of a temper
airy character, the ultimate sim being
to effect a union with America. IL
was seen, however, that, in conse-
quence of the attitude unexpectedly
and unjustly assumed by President
Cleveland, there was little or no pros
pect of such union being immediate
ly brought about, and it therefore be-
came necessary to establish more
permanent form OF Government. Ac-
cordingly, early this year, the Provis-
iOnal Government decided to call on
the electors of the nation to elect
delegates for the purpose OF forming a
constitution. The decision was ap-
proved of by the country, delegates
were elected, and the convention met
on May 30th, when President Dole
delivered an eloquent and carefully
prepared opening address. In the
course of the address, he pointed out
the difficulties Of the position and the
arduous duties that were before them.
We have perused reports of the meet
ings, and must say that the proceed
iDgs reflect very great credit on the
delegates. With such man as Mr..
Dole as President, one could only
expect that the utmost order would
prevail but those accustomed to read
the parliamentary debates of these
to find such ability, courtesy and
honesty of purpose displayed. The
whole of the delegates seem TO have
been lmbued with only one aim, viz,
to devise q constitution worthy OF the
country, and to meet the wants of all
the varied races OF which the popula-
ton consists. There was differences
of opinion, but there was no axes TO
grind, no wrangling, no personalities,
and no attempts TO serve personal
ends. Every section and clause of the
draft constitution prepared by the
Provisional Government was carefully
considered and fully debated, and that,
too, without once disturbing the good
feeling that prevailed. The duty the
delegates were called to perform was
a very heavy and important one, and
vet it was most satisfactorily accom-
plished in the course of one month.
Why, the New Zealand Parliament,
as at present constituted, could not
have accomplished such task in the
course of twenty years, and then, in
all probability, the Constitution would
be found as unintelligible as the pres
ent Liquor Act. The Hawaiians
have, however, done their work
well and pleasantly, and those who
took part in it can, in future years,
look back with satisfaction on what
they have now accomplished. The
new constitution was submitted to a
monster public meeting on the 2d of
July, and was fully ratified. IL was
to be proclaimed on July 4th, but our
latest files from Honolulu are only up
to the Sd. AS to President Cleve-
lands attempts 10 restore the queen,
| the American Senate passed the fol-
| lowing resolution on May 3lst, and
| the same was communicated to the
| Provisional Government of Hawaii
on June 10th: Resolved, that of
right it belongs wholly to the people
of the Hawaiian Islands to establish
and maintain their own form of gov
eminent and domestic policy; that
! the United States ought in no wise to
| interfere Herewith, and that any iu-
| tervention in the political affairs of
! these islands by any other Govern
| ment will be regarded rs an act un-
| friendly to the United States This
| therefore settles the matter so far
as both Cleveland and Liliuokalani
are concerned, although should the
latter now fall in with the new order
| of things we have no doubt the new
| Government will make reasonable
| provision for her and for her 1royaI
| family" We may mention that the
| constitution just formed is Republi.
can, with the three divisions Of exec
utive, legislative. and judiciary power.
Mr.. Dole is elected President for a
term of six years, but without the
right of election for the next succeed
ing term. The Legislature consists of
Senate and Lower House, the SEN
ators being elected for long terms and
the Representatives for two years on
ly. Direct authority is vested In the
President, Cabinet, and Senate to ne
gOtiate treaty of union with the
United States of America. This was
the aim of the revolution eighteen
months ago, and this was the aim of
the Provisional Government which is
DOW superseded by the Government OF
the Republic of Hawaii.