Speeches of His Majesty Kamehameha IV. To the Hawaiian Legislature — John Shaqi
Speeches of His Majesty Kamehameha IV. To the Hawaiian LegislatureKamehameha IV, King of the Hawaiian Islands
History
Speeches of His Majesty Kamehameha IV. To the Hawaiian Legislature
Kamehameha IV, King of the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii -- Politics and government -- To 1893
To be kind and generous to the foreigner, to trust and confide
in him, is no new thing in the history of our race. It is an
inheritance transmitted to us by our forefathers. The founder
of our dynasty was ever glad to receive assistance and advice
from foreigners. His successor, not deviating from the policy
of his father, listened not only to the voice of a missionary,
and turned with his people to the light of Christianity, but
against the wishes of the nation left his native land to seek
for advice and permanent protection at a foreign Court.
Although he never returned alive, his visit shows plainly what
were his feelings towards the people of foreign countries. I
cannot fail to heed the example of my ancestors. I therefore
say to the foreigner that he is welcome. He is welcome to our
shores--welcome so long as he comes with the laudable motive
of promoting his own interests and at the same time respecting
those of his neighbor. But if he comes here with no more
exalted motive than that of building up his own interests at
the expense of the native--to seek our confidence only to
betray it--with no higher ambition than that of overthrowing
our Government, and introducing anarchy, confusion and
bloodshed--then is he most unwelcome!
The duties we owe to each other are reciprocal. For my part I
shall use my best endeavors, in humble reliance on the Great
Ruler of all, to give you a just, liberal and satisfactory
Government. At the same time I shall expect you in return to
assist me in sustaining the Peace, the Law, the Order and the
Independence of my Kingdom.
The preceding is the address, as it was taken down at the time, by a
practised stenographer.
His Majesty afterwards, from the portico of the church, addressed, in
native, a crowd of several thousand, who had not been able to find room
in the church, and who had congregated in front thereof, outside the
military. The crowd listened in breathless silence, and when the King
concluded, cheered His Majesty most rapturously.
The whole solemn proceedings were conducted with admirable order, and
His Majesty throughout appeared calm, collected and dignified.
JANUARY 6TH, 1855.
_Extract from the =Polynesian= of January 6, 1855._
OBITUARY.
[UNDER SPECIAL AUTHORITY.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account