The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-28

pie and those in sympathy with them were
restrained from rising against the Government
in power.
The movement undertaken bv the Hawaiisps
last month was absolutely commenced without
my knowledge, sanction, consent or assistance
directly or indirectly, and this fact is in truth
well known to those who took part in IL.
received no information from any one in
regard to arms which were procured or which
induced or to be induced to join in any such
uprising.
do not know why this information should
have been withheld from me, unless it was
with view to my personal safety or as a pre-
cautlonary measure. 1t would not have re-
celVed my sanction, and can assure the gen.
tlemen OF this commission that had l known
OF any such intention I would have dissuaded
| the promoters from such venture But will
add that had l known, their secrets would
nave been mine and inviolately preserved.
mat intended to change my Cabinet and to
| appoint certain officers of the kingdom in the
event OF my restoration l will admit, but that
L, or any one known to me, had in part or
whole established a new. Government is not
! true Before the oath of January 1895, the
| day upon which l formally abdicated and
called upon my people to recognize the Re-
| public of Hawaii as the only lawful Govern
ment OF these islands, and to support that Gov
eminent, claim that had the right to select
Cabinet in anticipation OF a possibility, and
history of other governments supports this
right. was not intimidated into abdicating,
put followed the counsel OF able and generous
! friends and well-wishers, who advised me that
| such an act would restore peace and good will
| among my people; vitalize the progress and
| prosperity of the islands, and induce the actual
| government to deal leniently. mercifully, char
| 1tably and dispassionately with those who re-
i sorted TO arms for the purpose OF displacing
| government in the formation OF which they
had no voice or control, and which they them
| selves had seen established by force ofarmsH
| l acted of my own free will, and wish the
] world to know that have asked no immunity
or favor myself nor pleaded my abdication as q
| petition for mercy. My actions were dictated
! by the sole aim of doing good to my beloved
country, and of alternating the privations and
pains of those who unhappily and unwiSely re-
sorted to arms to regain an independence
which they thought had been unjustly wrested
from them.
AS you deal with them, so pray that the
Almighty God may deal with you in your hours
of trial.
To my regret much has been said about the
danger which threat ened foreign women and
children, and about the bloodthirstiuess of the
Hawaiians and the outrages which would have
been perpetrated by them if they had sue
ceeded in their attempt to overthrow the re-
publican Government.
They who know the Hawaiian temper and
disposition understand that there was no foun-
dation for any such fears. The behavior of the
rebels to those foreigners whom they captured
and cid shows that there was no malignancv
in the hearts of the Hawaiians at all ] wouId
have been sad, indeed, If the doctrine of the
Christian missionary fathers, taught to nv
people by them and those who succeeded them
upon barren ground.
must deny your right to try me in the man.
! ner ana by the court which you have called To-
gether for this purpose. In your actions Won
| violate your own constitution and laws which
| are now the constitution and laws of the land
! There may be in your consciences a warrant
| Tor your action, in what you may deem ne
cessity of the times, but you cannot find snv
such warrant for any such action in anv SET
| tied, civilized or Christian land All who nm
| hold you in this unlawful proceeding mav
| scorn and despise my word, but the offense ~
| breaking and setting aside for a specifc mr.
pose the laws OF your own nation and disre
! gardlng all justice and fairness may be to them
and to you the source OF an unhappy and
much to be regretted legacy.
| would ask you to consider that your Gov
eminent is on trial before the whole Civilized
world, and that in accordance with your sc-
lions and decisions will you yourselves ha
judged. The happiness and prosperity of Hse
| wan are henceforth in your hands alone as its
iulers You are commencing new era in its
| history May the Divine Providence grant
| you the wisdom to lead the nation into fbe
! paths OF torbearance, forgiveness and neaca
ana 10 create and consolidate united neon1e
ever anxious to advance in the way of Ciyiliza1
tion outlined by the American fathers of liberty
and religion. - Aioei y
IN concluding my statement thank Won for
Lne courtesy you have shown to me. not as
your former queen but as an humble citizen of
i tnis land ana as woman. / assure Won. who
peneve you are faithfully fulfilling a public
uuty, tnat shall never harbor any resentment
OF cherlsn any Ill feeling toward you whatever
may be your decision -