210	HAWAIIAN  ISLANDS.
Their object was to secure responsible Government through a representative cabi- 
net, supported by and responsible to the people's elected representatives. A clause 
to this effect was inserted in the constitution, and subsequently enacted by law by 
the legislature, specifically covering the ground that in all matters concerning the 
state the sovereign was to act by and with the advice of the cabinet, and only by 
and with such advice.
The King willingly agreed to such proposition, expressed regret for the past, and 
volunteered promises for the future.
Almost from the date of such agreement and promises up to the time of his death, 
the history of the Government has been a continual struggle between the King on 
the one hand and the cabinet and legislature on the other, the former constantly 
endeavoring by every available form of influence and evasion to ignore his promises 
and agreements and regain his lost powers.
This conflict upon several occasions came to a crisis, followed each time by submis- 
sion on the part of His Majesty, by renewed expressions of regret and promises to 
abide by the constitutional and legal restrictions in the future. In each instance 
such promise was kept until a further opportunity presented itself, when the conflict 
was renewed in defiance and regardless of all previous pledges.
Upon the accession of Her Majesty Liliuokalani, for a brief period the hope pre- 
vailed that new policy would be adopted. This hope was soon blasted by her imme- 
diately entering into conflict with the existing cabinet, who held office with the 
approval, of a large majority of the legislature, resulting in the triumph of the 
Queen and the removal of the cabinet. The appointment of a new cabinet sub- 
servient to her wishes and their continuance in office until a recent date gave no 
opportunity for further indication of the policy which would be pursued by Her 
Majesty until the opening of the legislature in May of 1892.
The recent history of that session has shown a stubborn determination on the part 
of Her Majesty to follow the tactics of her late brother and in all possible ways to 
secure an extension of the royal prerogatives and an abridgment of popular rights.
During the latter part of the session the legislature was replete with corruption: 
bribery and other illegitimate influences were openly utilized to secure the desired 
end, resulting in the final complete overthrow of all opposition and the inauguration 
of a cabinet arbitrarily selected by Her Majesty in complete defiance of constitu- 
tional principles and popular representation.
Notwithstanding such result the defeated party peacefully submitted to the situa- 
tion.
Not content with her victory Her Majesty proceeded on the last day of the session 
to arbitrarily arrogate to herself the right to promulgate a new constitution, which 
proposed, among other things, to disfranchise over one-fourth of the voters and the 
owners of nine-tenths of the private property of the Kingdom, to abolish the elected 
upper house of the legislature and to substitute in place thereof an appointive one, 
to be appointed by the Sovereign.
The detailed history of this attempt and the succeeding events in connection 
therewith is given in the report of the committee of public safety to the citizens of 
Honolulu and the resolution adopted at the mass meeting held on the 16th instant, 
the correctness of which, report and the propriety of which resolution is hereby 
specifically affirmed.
The constitutional evolution indicated has slowly and steadily, though reluc- 
tantly and regretfully, convinced an over whelming majority of the conservative and 
responsible members of the community that independent, constitutional, representa- 
tive, and responsible government, able to protect itself from revolutionary uprisings 
and royal aggression, is no longer possible in Hawaii under the existing system of 
government.
Five uprisings or conspiracies against the Government have occurred within five 
years and seven months. It is firmly believed that the culminating revolutionary 
attempt of last Saturday will, unless radical measures are taken, wreck our already 
damaged credit abroad and precipitate to final ruin our already overstrained finan- 
cial condition; and the guaranties of protection to life, liberty, and property will 
steadily decrease and the political situation rapidly grow worse.
In this belief, and also in the firm belief that the action hereby taken is and will 
be for the best personal, political, and property interests of every citizen of the 
land -
We, citizens and residents of the Hawaiian Islands, organized and acting for the 
public safety and the common good, hereby proclaim as follows:
(1) The Hawaiian monarchical system of Government is hereby abrogated.
(2) A provisional government for the control and management of public affairs 
and the protection of the public peace is hereby established, to exist until terms of 
union with the United States of America have been negotiated and agreed upon.
(3) Such provisional government shall consist of an executive council of four 
members, who are hereby declared to be Sanford B. Dole, James A. King, Peter C.

Return to Top