The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-04-10
The Eleventh of a Series OF
Letters by John II. Musick.
Author of s.The Columbian His
torical Novels" '.BrOther
Against Brother" etc.
Copyright 1896 by Funk & Wahnals Company, New
York;
The Overthrow of Monarchy
The Provisional Government.

Republicans or L. IT, s, as tney are cOHIelnp-
tuously called by their enemies, and the
ROyalists for the exact truth as to the over
throw of the monarchy to be obtained. me
political feeling here is at about the same
heat it was IN the United States IN 1866.
The Royalsts still called the government
provisional" and refuse to recognize 1t,
To understand the cause of the overthrow
of monarchy one must have some knowledge
of the history of Hawaii. In the latter part
of the 18th century powerful chief of Ha-
's@aii. known as Kamehampha, captured two
American sailors named Davis and Young. |
The latter was a boatswain on the Boston
frigate Eleanor, the former on little sloop, |
the Fair American. the latter yessel was
seized, its captain and crew, with the ex-
eeptiOn of Davis. killed, and its cannon
taken on Shore Young and Davis being
expert gunners, were spared to manage the
artillery for Kamehameha, who at once pc
gan the conquest of the whole groupe or Is
lands. The two Americans were ms gellel.
ais they married the daughters or cnle1s OF
princes, and were given high offices.
After several years of war all the Sand
witch Islands were conquered. and Kane
hameha declared king over all. lie was
succeeded by four direct descendants known
tives having abolished ido!itary, in the year
1920 the missionaries sent by the American
Board of Missions came to convert tnem
They were kindly received by the natives
but by this time the islands had become a
rendezvous for whaling vessels, whose OIL
GERS and crews were lewd, lawlesS men, ana
they objected to the restraints OF rellgloh
and decency.
The missionaries, however, had come to
stay, and in an earnest manner. began the
conversion Of the heather. They were OF
ten threatened by the lawless sailors, VINO
regarded their upright lives as standing
rebuke to their own immortality. But, In
spite of all threats and danger, the mission
aries held their ground. They had the re-
spect and confidence OF the kings, who re-
manned their friends, and the cause OF
Christianity advanced until all of the islands
were brought under its sway. Missionaries
who came to the islands young men, raised
families of children. grew old, and died.
Children born on the islands grew up. died,
and left children, natural born Hawallans.
the same as any American citizen to-day is
an American.
The business interests of the islands soon
began to attract the attention of the world
Americans came to engage in agriculture or
nerchantile pursuits. These dots on the
face of the globe assumed great Importance
and the English, always jealous OF any al.
vance of Americans In the acquisition OF
territory. began to turn their attention to-
ward the islands
AS the American Congregatlonalists ana
Presbyterians had succeeded so well. the
Church of England, from purely political
~
quest of the islands. From this time on
there was struggle between Americans
and English to control the ruling monarchS.
; Kamphameha Ill gave the people the first
liberal constitution, AL the Kamehamehas
seem to have been friendly to the Americans
as they were probably under the influence
of Young and Davis and their descendants
The anti missionary party In time became
the anti American party, History shows
how Engla d has sought in the past to get
control of the islands, and how she objected
to the annexation of them to the United
states during the forties, as the trade at that
time with the United States was increasing
in proportions that alarmed her,
The direct line of Kamehanieha ended
with Kamehameha V. After one or two
short reigns, David Kalakaua was elected
king. Tho disSolute man, with many
weaknesses, he seems to have had an idea
of Justice and right. But he tried to please
all parties and, of course failed.
By this time sugar and rice plantations
had become a source of great wealth In TIT
Islands, and Americans with pluck and en-
erpy were peOpling the country and gettlnI
the cream of its Industries.
The lands had previously been divided
among the common people in way tn
was equitable to all, the assertions made OF
the floors of the American congress to Tn
contrary notwithstanding. Under the OIL
kings all land was invested in their name
as lands originally were in Great Britain
These kings distributed them somewhat &C
cOrdng to to the feudal system, to chiets
respryng great tracts of what are still cal
ed crown lands. At the suggestions of tn
mssio laries large quantities or lands Wer
set apart for the common people, and ines
lands, tho small in acreage, composed neal
lv all the very best soil on the islands. The
were the tarO patches and rice fields. som
of which are to-day worth five hundred do
lars per acre. while there are vast tracts
laya-strewn mountain land not worth on
dollar for five hundred acres.
Among the many American emigrants
the islonds were shrewd business men, wh
procured long leases on sugar lands an
bought large tracts from the king. BIRTHS
influence was brought t. bear upon Mn
Kalakaua He was told to be "a real kin
and have a great army and navy Puoll
improvements were neglected, roads becanl
almost impossible. while the king SECURE
a large loan from England. and squandere
vast sums of the revenue in loans ana 0
Hula dancing girls.
KIlakaua was not bad man. tie was
weak. vain man. and easily influenced 2
bad surroundings. He was constantly
need of money, tho his annuity was create
than the stlary of the President or u
United States. He found himself hampere
by the constitution which limited his pOw'
and declared his intention of giving the pc
pie another constitution which was In real
ty return TO absolute monarchy.
Great excitement prevailed, and revOI
ton was threatened by the people who
liberties were endangered, until. Oowlng
the popular will. Kalakaua permitted u
constitution TO stand
Ii is said that at this time the king slst
Princess LiiiuOkalani. was in England
guest of Queen Victoria. studying royal Jul
She was very indignantat her broth T wei
ing To the wishes OF the American HaWa
ans. and on her return to Honolulu a rev
luton was precipitated by some or
friends to denOse the king and place her
the throne. The American settlers on y
islands went to the rescue OF the KING, 81
the rebelIiOn was put down. am,
King Kalakaua died January ~, lS5l- al
was succeeded by his sister. Llltuokalani,
queen. The queen was thoroughly I'm
Ilsh in education aud sympathy FROM y
first sho displayed intense hatred for .
American missionaries. Left alone s.
might have m lde an excellent monarch. I
those whD know her ga she pOssessrs MAJ
good qualities: even "er political eneml
dsay the ISLANDERS aglinSthsr W rsonal cha
Ter. But the queen was i'll advised. ID
race prejudices were reused oy lnteresU