The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-03-20

OG2llOhf IbOsC llOl
have occurred before the landing Of
the troops from the Boston, or, if they
existed, they We're idle, unfounded,
and unjust toward the United States.
1t was her conduct, opposed by her
people, or a large portion of them,
that paralyzed the executive authority
and left the citizens OF the United
States in Honolulu without the pro-
lection of any law, unless 1t was such
as should be extended to them by the
American Minister, in conjunction
with the arms of the United States
then on board the Boston.
1t will appear hereafter in this re-
port that there is well-settled author
ity for the position that at the moment
when the Queen made public her de-
cision to absolve herself from her oath
to support the constitution of 1887 her
abdicatiOn was complete, if the people
chose so to regard it. That constitu-
ton and the Queens oath to support
it was the only foundation for her
regal authority, and, when she an
nOunced that her oath was annulled
in its effect upon her own conscience,
she cOnld no longer rightfully hold
Office under that constitution. In
such matters the word of the Queen,
once sedately uttered, fixes a condition
that is irrevocable, unless by the con-
sent of those whose condition or rights
would be injuriously affected by its
subsequent withdrawal: as in the
case of a voluntary abdication in IA
vor of named successor; or of par
don granted to a person accused or
convicted of crime; or the signature
to a legislative act, or declaration of
war. The official act Of the chief eX-
ecutive of nation is uniformly re-
garded as creating a condition or
status which can not be altered or
revoked at pleasure. Indeed, in every
case, the word of the king that works
a change in existing conditions is the
final act of the king. In the crime of
treason and the misprision of treason,
the word that is spoken by the culprit,
though quickly repented of or recalled,
has completed the crime and placed
the offender beyond the reach of all
mercy except that of the sovereign
power. In this instance the sovereign
power to pardon or cOndOne the
Queens offense resided in the people,
and they have so far decided and have
Iuutltu " ILlC utClSlOll llluI lltl dDNll-
cation was complete. The recanta- |
ton was two days later than the COM |
pleted crime and was temporary and |
conditional, and, in the meantime, |
popular sovereignty had risen TO the |
assertion of its rights, an indignant |
resentment had aroused the people, |
and large body of citizens claiming
10 represent them had inaugurated a
of the people and for
the people. Whether the people op-
posing the Queen were strengthened
in their purpose to accept and act upon
this abandonment by the Queen of
her obligations to keep her oath to
support and obey the constitution by
the presence of the troops of the
United States, or whether the Queen
was dismayed by their presence and
was deferred from supporting her
act by the employment of her
soldiery, did not alter the
fact that she had openly renounced
the Constitution of 1887 before the
troops were landed or any preparation
was made or any order was issued to
and them, and the people were pre-
pairing to substitute the monarchy,
which was still existing in the con-
by a ruler of their own
choice before any troops left the
Boston.
Whether the people would permit
the restoration of the Queen, or
they would constitute a new
executive head OF the Government of
Hawaii, was a matter then undeter-
mined, and as to that the Government
Of the United States had but one con-
,ern, and that was that the interreg-
lum should be ended, the executive |
head of the Government should be |
supplied, and the laws of Hawaii and
he treaty rights of American citizens
should have full effect, peacefully, in
he protection of their rights and in
,erests. When the Queen found that
ler Government was opposed by a
strong body of the people she did not
attempt to reassemble the Legisla-
.ure, but left the public safety in
charge of committee of thirteen
men, organized by those who
we're endeavoring to preserve the
peace and to restore the Government
% its full constitutional powers by
choosing an executive head. This
condition of things continued from Z
until the succeeding Tues
lay, during all of which time the
citizens of the United States residing
n Honolulu had no protection of law,
except such as was guaranteed to ;
hem by the presence of the Boston
n the bay of Honolulu, or the moral !
influence of the American Legation /.
nd Consulate.
When the Kamehameha dynasty
nded, the monarchy in Hawaii was :
oOmed to a necessary dissolution. I
he five kings of that family, assisted '
y their premiers, who were Kanaka l
and by such missionaries as
udd, Bingham, Chamberlain, Coan, !!
and Damon, maintained the !
rogress of civilization and prosper =
5y, but when Kalakaua was elected =
ing, the most surprising and dis =
raceful cOrruptions infected the Gov
Without detailing in this
epOrt the constant decline from bad
D worse, which the evidence dis
loses, without contradiction or ex-
lanation, when Liliuokalani was en-
lroned the monarchy was a mere l
hell and was in condition to crumble
n the slightest touch of firm opposi-
on. Under her brief rule, it was
Iva hxrf ha aara ond fo ~ ! III