Difference between revisions of "Template:370-371"

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{{p|370}}United States in any country where they ;may be found when t,he
+
{{p|370}}
local authorities have through their own mISmauagement or COn1:irIVance,
+
United States in any country where they may be found when the
rendered nugat6ry the power ,of ~he government to perform its
+
local authorities have through their own mismanagement or contrivance,
proper duties in the protection of theIr lIves, property, and peace.
+
rendered nugatory the power ,of the government to perform its
 +
proper duties in the protection of their lives, property, and peace.
  
A further statemen t of ascertained facts may be necessary in order
+
A further statement of ascertained facts may be necessary in order
 
to bring out more clearly the situation in Hawaii on Saturday, the
 
to bring out more clearly the situation in Hawaii on Saturday, the
14th day of January, aud to render more eonspicuous the justification
+
14th day of January, and to render more conspicuous the justification
of the United States in eutering with its troops upon the soil of Hawaii
+
of the United States in entering with its troops upon the soil of Hawaii
 
for the protection of all the rights of its citizens.
 
for the protection of all the rights of its citizens.
  
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social influence and in commerce and the professions to arm the people
 
social influence and in commerce and the professions to arm the people
 
who resented the disloyalty of the Queen to the constitution and to
 
who resented the disloyalty of the Queen to the constitution and to
install a new executive head of the Government. This moveJilent had
+
install a new executive head of the Government. This movement had
 
resulted in the organization of a committee of safety that proposed a
 
resulted in the organization of a committee of safety that proposed a
programme for thepurp08e of inaugurating a provisional government.
+
programme for the purpose of inaugurating a provisional government.
 
This was an open, public movement, which the Queen took no steps to
 
This was an open, public movement, which the Queen took no steps to
Suppress. No arrests were made, and even the apprehension of arrests
+
suppress. No arrests were made, and even the apprehension of arrests
 
seems to have been almost entirely absent from the minds of the people
 
seems to have been almost entirely absent from the minds of the people
 
engaged in this movement. An effort was made to divert those people
 
engaged in this movement. An effort was made to divert those people
 
from their purpose, on Monday morning, by the Queen and her ministers,
 
from their purpose, on Monday morning, by the Queen and her ministers,
 
who caused the following notice to be posted on the streets of Honolulu:
 
who caused the following notice to be posted on the streets of Honolulu:
I
 
  
 
"BY AUTHORITY.
 
"BY AUTHORITY.
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events of Saturday, and are authorized to say that the position taken
 
events of Saturday, and are authorized to say that the position taken
 
by Her Majesty in regard to the promulgation of a new constitution
 
by Her Majesty in regard to the promulgation of a new constitution
was under the stress of her native subjects. .
+
was under the stress of her native subjects.
  
 
"Authority is given for the assurance that any changes desired in
 
"Authority is given for the assurance that any changes desired in
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"Her Majesty's ministers request all citizens to accept the assurance
 
"Her Majesty's ministers request all citizens to accept the assurance
 
of Her Majesty in the same spirit in which it is given. "
 
of Her Majesty in the same spirit in which it is given. "
)
 
  
This paper purported to be signed by the Qneen and her ministers,
+
This paper purported to be signed by the Queen and her ministers,
 
Samuel Parker, minister of foreign affairs; W. H. Cornwell, minister
 
Samuel Parker, minister of foreign affairs; W. H. Cornwell, minister
of finance; John F. Colburn, minster of the interior; and A. P. Peter.
+
of finance; John F. Colburn, minster of the interior; and A. P. Peterson, attorney-general.
son, attorney-general.
 
  
The Queen did not sign it in her official character by. affixing the
+
The Queen did not sign it in her official character by affixing the
letter R to her nanie, and the tenor of the paper indicates that it was,
+
letter R to her name, and the tenor of the paper indicates that it was,
 
in fact, the act of her ministers, to which she had not given her royal
 
in fact, the act of her ministers, to which she had not given her royal
 
assent and pledge. This paper in itself contains undeniable evidence
 
assent and pledge. This paper in itself contains undeniable evidence
that the Qneen had instituted a coup d'etat on Satnrday by the promulgation
+
that the Queen had instituted a ‘’coup d'etat’’ on Saturday by the promulgation
 
of "a new constitution," as far, at least, as she could bind
 
of "a new constitution," as far, at least, as she could bind
 
herself by such an act, and that she offered the excuse for this revolt
 
herself by such an act, and that she offered the excuse for this revolt
against the existing constitution which she had sworn to snpport, that
+
against the existing constitution which she had sworn to support, that
she acted "m:ider stress of her native subject'!."
+
she acted "under stress of her native subjects."
  
Passing by the fact that the existence of this" stress" is not estab.
+
Passing by the fact that the existence of this" stress" is not established by any satisfactory evidence, the reference to it in this proclamation
lished by any satisfactory evidence, the ,reference to it in t~is proclamation
+
discloses her willing connection with the purpose to disfranchise
discloses her willing connection wIth the purpose to dIsfranchise
+
her foreign-born subjects, that being the effect of the provisions of the
11erforeign-born subjects, that being the eff'ect of the provisions of the
 
 
"new constitution" that she in fact promulgated, so far as she could
 
"new constitution" that she in fact promulgated, so far as she could
but hesitated to swear to for the want of sufficient support from "he;
+
but hesitated to swear to for the want of sufficient support from "her
native subjects." The assurance given that future efforts "to change"{{p|371}}
+
native subjects." The assurance given that future efforts "to change"
 +
{{p|371}}
 
the constitution of 1887 should be conducted only in the method therein
 
the constitution of 1887 should be conducted only in the method therein
 
prescribed, was no assurance that her foreign-born subjects should be
 
prescribed, was no assurance that her foreign-born subjects should be
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threat that they should be disfranchised and placed at the mercy of
 
threat that they should be disfranchised and placed at the mercy of
 
racial aggression, backed by the power of the crown. The declarations
 
racial aggression, backed by the power of the crown. The declarations
of the Queen made in person'to Minister Willis, on three occasions,
+
of the Queen made in person to Minister Willis, on three occasions,
 
and at long intervals of time after the lapse of nine months of sedate
 
and at long intervals of time after the lapse of nine months of sedate
 
reflection, show that this assurance, given in fact by her ministers, was
 
reflection, show that this assurance, given in fact by her ministers, was
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and proceeded in the same orderly manner, for which the ministers
 
and proceeded in the same orderly manner, for which the ministers
 
gave them thanks in this proclamation, to designate an executive
 
gave them thanks in this proclamation, to designate an executive
head of the Government in place of the abdicated Queen, the abdicatism
+
head of the Government in place of the abdicated Queen, the abdication
being completed and confirmed by the only anthentic expression
+
being completed and confirmed by the only authentic expression
 
of the popular will, and by the recognition of the supreme court of
 
of the popular will, and by the recognition of the supreme court of
 
Hawaii.
 
Hawaii.
  
. Another fact of importance connected with the situation at that time
+
Another fact of importance connected with the situation at that time
 
is that a committee of law and order, consisting of supporters of the
 
is that a committee of law and order, consisting of supporters of the
Queen, had on Mondayl morning posted in pnblic places in Honolnlu
+
Queen, had on Monday morning posted in public places in Honolulu
the following caH for a public meeting auH explanation of the pnrposes
+
the following call for a public meeting and explanation of the purposes
of the Queen in abrogating the constitntion of 1887 and in substituting
+
of the Queen in abrogating the constitution of 1887 and in substituting
 
one which she desired and attempted to promulgate by their authority
 
one which she desired and attempted to promulgate by their authority
as the organic-law of the land. This proclamation was printed in the
+
as the organic law of the land. This proclamation was printed in the
 
Hawaiian language, and a translation of it is appended to this report.
 
Hawaiian language, and a translation of it is appended to this report.
 
It was printed in an extra edition of a newspaper called the Ka Leo 0
 
It was printed in an extra edition of a newspaper called the Ka Leo 0
Ka Lahni, published in Honolulu in the Hawaiian language. "The
+
Ka Lahui, published in Honolulu in the Hawaiian language. "The
 
stress of her native subjects," which is mentioned by the Queen in the
 
stress of her native subjects," which is mentioned by the Queen in the
 
proclamation which was posted in English on the morning of January
 
proclamation which was posted in English on the morning of January
Line 99: Line 97:
 
the constitution which she intended to proclaim, would have resulted
 
the constitution which she intended to proclaim, would have resulted
 
in the destruction of the rights of property and lives of those persons
 
in the destruction of the rights of property and lives of those persons
who were styled" missionaries" and their posterity, from whom Hawaii
+
who were styled "missionaries" and their posterity, from whom Hawaii
had derived her enligntened civilization, Christianity, constitution,
+
had derived her enlightened civilization, Christianity, constitution,
laws, progress, wealth and position amongst the nations Of the earth.
+
laws, progress, wealth and position amongst the nations of the earth.
 
This was a threat of dangerous significance, and it shows the spirit
 
This was a threat of dangerous significance, and it shows the spirit
of the cpntroversy that was then pervading the minds of the people of
+
of the controversy that was then pervading the minds of the people of
 
Honolulu, and illustrates how easy it was to foment strife that would
 
Honolulu, and illustrates how easy it was to foment strife that would
 
result in the worst of evils, in a community thus divided and thus
 
result in the worst of evils, in a community thus divided and thus
. excited. The abuse of the missionaries, and mission~ry party in this
+
excited. The abuse of the missionaries, and missionary party in this
call shows that the.~Queenand her immediate followers had concentrated
+
call shows that the Queen and her immediate followers had concentrated
. their efforts upon the dig'franchisement of all white people in Hawaii,
+
their efforts upon the disfranchisement of all white people in Hawaii,
~nd the return of the Government to that condition of debasement from
+
and the return of the Government to that condition of debasement from
 
which these very people and their fathers had relieved it.
 
which these very people and their fathers had relieved it.
  
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"On the afternoon of Saturday last the voice of the Sacred Chief of
 
"On the afternoon of Saturday last the voice of the Sacred Chief of
Ha~aii, LiIiuokalani, the tabued one, speaking as follows:
+
Hawaii, Liliuokalani, the tabued one, speaking as follows:
  
" '0, ye people' who love the Chief, I hereby say to you, I am noW
+
"'0, ye people who love the Chief, I hereby say to you, I am now
 
ready to proclaim the new constitution for my Kingdom, thinking that
 
ready to proclaim the new constitution for my Kingdom, thinking that
it wouldII be successful, but l>ehold obstacles have arisen! Therefore
+
it would be successful, but behold obstacles have arisen! Therefore

Revision as of 23:24, 17 December 2005

-p370-

United States in any country where they may be found when the local authorities have through their own mismanagement or contrivance, rendered nugatory the power ,of the government to perform its proper duties in the protection of their lives, property, and peace.

A further statement of ascertained facts may be necessary in order to bring out more clearly the situation in Hawaii on Saturday, the 14th day of January, and to render more conspicuous the justification of the United States in entering with its troops upon the soil of Hawaii for the protection of all the rights of its citizens.

On Saturday afternoon and Sunday earnest and decisive steps were being taken by the people of Honolulu who were most prominent in social influence and in commerce and the professions to arm the people who resented the disloyalty of the Queen to the constitution and to install a new executive head of the Government. This movement had resulted in the organization of a committee of safety that proposed a programme for the purpose of inaugurating a provisional government. This was an open, public movement, which the Queen took no steps to suppress. No arrests were made, and even the apprehension of arrests seems to have been almost entirely absent from the minds of the people engaged in this movement. An effort was made to divert those people from their purpose, on Monday morning, by the Queen and her ministers, who caused the following notice to be posted on the streets of Honolulu:

"BY AUTHORITY.

"Her Majesty's ministers desire to express their appreciation for the quiet and order which have prevailed in this community since the events of Saturday, and are authorized to say that the position taken by Her Majesty in regard to the promulgation of a new constitution was under the stress of her native subjects.

"Authority is given for the assurance that any changes desired in the fundamental law of the land will be sought only by the methods provided in the constitution itself.

"Her Majesty's ministers request all citizens to accept the assurance of Her Majesty in the same spirit in which it is given. "

This paper purported to be signed by the Queen and her ministers, Samuel Parker, minister of foreign affairs; W. H. Cornwell, minister of finance; John F. Colburn, minster of the interior; and A. P. Peterson, attorney-general.

The Queen did not sign it in her official character by affixing the letter R to her name, and the tenor of the paper indicates that it was, in fact, the act of her ministers, to which she had not given her royal assent and pledge. This paper in itself contains undeniable evidence that the Queen had instituted a ‘’coup d'etat’’ on Saturday by the promulgation of "a new constitution," as far, at least, as she could bind herself by such an act, and that she offered the excuse for this revolt against the existing constitution which she had sworn to support, that she acted "under stress of her native subjects."

Passing by the fact that the existence of this" stress" is not established by any satisfactory evidence, the reference to it in this proclamation discloses her willing connection with the purpose to disfranchise her foreign-born subjects, that being the effect of the provisions of the "new constitution" that she in fact promulgated, so far as she could but hesitated to swear to for the want of sufficient support from "her native subjects." The assurance given that future efforts "to change"

-p371-

the constitution of 1887 should be conducted only in the method therein prescribed, was no assurance that her foreign-born subjects should be protected in their vital liberties. To the reverse, it was a continuing threat that they should be disfranchised and placed at the mercy of racial aggression, backed by the power of the crown. The declarations of the Queen made in person to Minister Willis, on three occasions, and at long intervals of time after the lapse of nine months of sedate reflection, show that this assurance, given in fact by her ministers, was only a thin disguise of her real purpose to drive out the white population and confiscate their property, and, if need be, to destroy their lives. The people made no mistake as to her animosity toward them, and proceeded in the same orderly manner, for which the ministers gave them thanks in this proclamation, to designate an executive head of the Government in place of the abdicated Queen, the abdication being completed and confirmed by the only authentic expression of the popular will, and by the recognition of the supreme court of Hawaii.

Another fact of importance connected with the situation at that time is that a committee of law and order, consisting of supporters of the Queen, had on Monday morning posted in public places in Honolulu the following call for a public meeting and explanation of the purposes of the Queen in abrogating the constitution of 1887 and in substituting one which she desired and attempted to promulgate by their authority as the organic law of the land. This proclamation was printed in the Hawaiian language, and a translation of it is appended to this report. It was printed in an extra edition of a newspaper called the Ka Leo 0 Ka Lahui, published in Honolulu in the Hawaiian language. "The stress of her native subjects," which is mentioned by the Queen in the proclamation which was posted in English on the morning of January 16, is evidently expressed in the terms of this announcement and call, and it shows that it was based upon racial distinction and prejudice entirely, and indicates the feeling of resentment and controversy which, if carried into effect as the Queen proposed to carry it into effect under the constitution which she intended to proclaim, would have resulted in the destruction of the rights of property and lives of those persons who were styled "missionaries" and their posterity, from whom Hawaii had derived her enlightened civilization, Christianity, constitution, laws, progress, wealth and position amongst the nations of the earth. This was a threat of dangerous significance, and it shows the spirit of the controversy that was then pervading the minds of the people of Honolulu, and illustrates how easy it was to foment strife that would result in the worst of evils, in a community thus divided and thus excited. The abuse of the missionaries, and missionary party in this call shows that the Queen and her immediate followers had concentrated their efforts upon the disfranchisement of all white people in Hawaii, and the return of the Government to that condition of debasement from which these very people and their fathers had relieved it.

The second paragraph in this call is as follows:

"THE VOICE OF THE CHIEF.

"On the afternoon of Saturday last the voice of the Sacred Chief of Hawaii, Liliuokalani, the tabued one, speaking as follows:

"'0, ye people who love the Chief, I hereby say to you, I am now ready to proclaim the new constitution for my Kingdom, thinking that it would be successful, but behold obstacles have arisen! Therefore