The Legitimate Government in Hawaii Series: The Kingdom of Hawaii Slavery Law of 1852 vs. the United States Slavery Law of 1865
- Review and Observations -
Reviewed by Amelia Gora (2024)
The following laws, etc. of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the United States are shown below:
Kingdom of Hawaii- Law on Slavery - 1852
"12. Art. 12. Slavery shall, under no circumstances whatever, be tolerated in the Hawaiian Islands: whenever a slave shall enter Hawaiian territory he shall be free; no person who imports a slave, or slaves, into the King’s dominions shall ever enjoy any civil or political rights in this realm; but involuntary servitude for the punishment of crime is allowable according to law."
Vs.
The United States of America - Law on Slavery 1865
This is the U.S. version of the anti-slavery law which was passed after U.S. President Abraham Lincoln died or 13 years AFTER Kamehameha III - Kauikeaouli passed the Hawaiian anti-slavery law:
Passed by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, the 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States and provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.".
SUMMARY
The Kingdom of Hawaii was more progressive than the United States which is shown in the Slavery Law passed 13 years before the United States passed theirs.
Note: It was the White Annexationists/Supremacists supported by the U.S. Military who usurped Queen Liliuokalani, and called her "Nigress", called her people "Niggers", and later the "Nigger Republic of the United States".
Many kanaka maoli were made slaves and wore chains and weighted down with a ball and chain. These are issues of Genocide against a neutral, friendly, non-violent nation whose King passed the anti-slavery laws 13 years before the United States passed theirs.
Even today, the Occupier State of Hawaii with the Occupier U.S. promotes hatred, animosities, violations of Human Rights in the Kingdom of Hawaii pushing to have the kanaka maoli regarded as Indians/American Indians.
This is posted as an opposition to a non-moral Nation called the U.S. who continue to seek claims to lands, etc. of a neutral, friendly, non-violent nation's people who did no wrong and are regarded as "Niggers or Indians" because of being 'people of color'.
See:
The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, August 06, 1897, Image 2
Image provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI
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The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, August 06, 1897, Image 2
Image provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI
Print this image | Download this image
The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, August 06, 1897, Image 2
Image provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI
Print this image | Download this image
1loha.
References:
On January 16, 1893, United States Marines from the U.S.S Boston surrounded the palace of Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii. The Queen was informed that a “provisional government” composed of American citizens had been established until such time as the island nation could be annexed by the United States. Queen Liliuokalani peacefully yielded power to avoid bloodshed and put her faith in the government of the United States to restore sovereignty to its peaceful Pacific trading partner. The story of how the U.S. came to invade this small island nation is a shameful but largely forgotten chapter in American history.
A Western Model Nation
By the mid-19th century Hawaii had developed a modern government as a constitutional monarchy. American missionaries were firmly entrenched and Protestant Christianity was the dominant religion. A modern economy based largely on exports had developed, dominated by merchants from the U.S. Sugar was the most important export crop. During the Civil War the North relied largely on Hawaiian sugar imports to replace Southern growers, and the industry boomed. Hawaii’s reigning King Kalakaua did much to assist the sugar industry. A reciprocity trade treaty was negotiated with the United States and agreements were made with Asian nations to bring in much needed labor.
Nevertheless, a movement grew among American citizens in Hawaii to gain greater control over the country. Many favored annexation by the United States. In 1887, these citizens drew up a new constitution with the intention of assassinating the king and establishing a republic. At the last minute, fears of the reaction of the vastly larger native population caused the revolutionaries to rewrite the document, leaving the king in place but stripping him of power. Hawaii had no standing army to speak of, and militia companies organized by the revolutionaries presented the new constitution to the king essentially at gunpoint, causing it to be dubbed the “Bayonet Constitution.” Provisions in the constitution ensured that American business interests would remain in control of the government.
Queen Liliuokalani
When King Kalakaua died in January 1891, his sister, Queen Liliuokalani ascended the throne. By this time revolutionaries were at a fever pitch over the McKinley Tariff of 1890, which caused a recession in the islands by withdrawing the safeguards ensuring a mainland market for Hawaiian sugar. Under the 1887 constitution, power was essentially vested in the legislature and the cabinet of ministers, both controlled by American business interests, but Liliuokalani found a loophole. The death of the former King allowed her to dismiss the cabinet, as the constitution makes no provision for their continuance after the death of a monarch. Over the coming months, Liliuokalani selected new cabinets, only to have them removed by the legislature. As the wrangling continued, Liliuokalani was forced to sign questionable bills passed by the legislature which would later be used by Americans to condemn her, including a lottery bill and legalized opium trade. |
Queen Liliuokalani |
Coup
In Participant Account #1, an excerpt from Liliuokalani’s autobiography, Liliuokalani describes a great upwelling of support among native Hawaiians for a new constitution. Supporters drew up a constitution that essentially restored the pre-1887 government. Word reached American interests and became the pretext for a coup. John L. Stevens, the American minister to Hawaii and an ardent supporter of annexation, called on troops from the U.S.S. Boston to enter the city and take control of Iolani Palace and various other governmental buildings. In Account #3, we see that Stevens justifies this action “for the protection of the United States legation and United States consulate, and to secure the safety of American life and property.” Yet in Account #2, Liliuokalani describes the city as peaceful that day. A provisional government was established with Sanford B. Dole, one of the leaders of the coup, as President. In Account #1 Liliuokalani describes the charges the revolutionaries made against her. The provisional government almost immediately sends a delegation to Washington to seek annexation, as Stevens describes in his letters in Account #3. | 
John L. Stevens |
Repercussions
President Cleveland took office soon after and was unhappy with the situation. He sent James H. Blount to replace Stevens as minister to Hawaii and to report on the situation. Blount interviewed all parties and submited an exhaustive 1300 page report in which he concluded that the majority of Hawaiians supported Liliuokalani. He implicated Stevens in the illegal overthrow of Liliuokalani and recommended she be restored. Blount returned home and Albert S. Willis was sent as the new American minister to discuss the possibility of restoring Liliuokalani to the throne. Liliuokalani describes in her autobiography that her discussions with Willis were confusing and led to the false charge in American newspapers that she would behead the revolutionaries if restored to power. Congress intervened and on July 4, 1894, the Republic of Hawaii with Sanford B. Dole as president was declared and recognized by the United States government. Official U.S. policy was to let Hawaii determine its own government.
Rebellion
In January 1895, an attempt was made by native Hawaiians and sympathetic Americans to overthrow Dole’s government. In her autobiography, Liliuokalani describes how she is aware of the rebellion but takes no active part. The rebellion swiftly failed. A collection of antique firearms that belonged to her late husband was used to accuse Liliuokalani of maintaining a cache of weapons for the rebels. She was imprisoned and told that she would be put to death along with the rebels. Her autobiography describes her imprisonment and how her captors evidently change their mind about execution for fear of American public opinion. Liliuokalani was presented with a document formally abdicating the throne and told the rebels would be executed if she did not sign. Liliuokalani chose abdication to save the lives of her supporters. Nevertheless, Liliuokalani was tried for treason and sentenced to pay $5000 and serve 5 years in prison at hard labor (which she doesn’t serve). At her trial Liliuokalani made an eloquent statement defending her actions and pleading for the future of her nation, found in Account #4.
Not all Americans approved of what happened in Hawaii. As previously mentioned, Americans took part in the rebellion of 1895, which attempted to restore Liliuokalani. In his letters to Washington, Stevens speaks of “ ‘liberals,’ as they term, themselves, composed mostly of the irresponsible white voters” who support Liliuokalani. At least one American journalist was ousted by Dole for showing sympathy for the Queen. Political cartoons from the time express concern in the American population over annexation. |
Sanford B. Dole |
Aftermath
In 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the United States through a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress under Present William McKinley. Liliuokalani wrote her autobiography and continued to live in Hawaii until her death in 1917. In 1993, on the one hundred year anniversary of the coup, President Clinton signed a bill into law formally apologizing to Hawaii for the illegal invasion by the United States.
Conclusions
It is comforting to remember the great things we have done as a nation. America was founded on ideals of freedom and self-determination that are a model to the world. Yet, we have not always lived by those ideals. Greed and feelings of innate superiority have led our ancestors to make decisions we can scarcely be proud of. Our past has a bearing on our present and our future. Understanding the mistakes we have made helps us understand the implications of our future decisions. If we persist in a view of the past that insists that America can do no wrong, we will scarcely question the course we take in the future.
Stories like the invasion of Hawaii must be told. Liliuokalani, while she would not consider herself an American, was as intelligent and brave as any that we hold up as American heroes. One need only read Account #4 to appreciate her eloquence. By choosing to forget a shameful chapter in America’s story, we deny Liliuokalani the place she deserves in history.
1. Who are the key players?
2. How do you recognize who they are?
3. What does the chessboard symbolize?
1. Look at the queen’s clothing. How does the artist depict her as being Hawaiian?
2. What can you tell about her facial expression? And the soldiers?
1. What is the general tone of this political cartoon?
2. Whose point of view does the artist seem to be portraying? Hawaii or United States?
PHOTO PAGE
All photos courtesy of Univeristy of Hawaii at Manoa Libraries, Special Collections
U.S.S. Boston Marines Landing, 1/16/1893
|
Notice the crowd of spectators in the photo.
What do you think that means?
Why didn’t the marines feel any need for secrecy? |
Contrast these soldiers with the Queen’s guards in the next photo. |
Provisional Government Troops at Iolani Palace
|
How do you think the soldiers feel about their situation?
Why do you think they choose not to resist?
|
Disbandment of the Royal Household Guard
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Hawaiian Flag lowering at Iolani Palace (8/12/1898)
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What are the spectators looking at?
Can you tell whether the spectators are Americans or Hawaiians?
Looking at this building, would you say it belongs to a modern or primitive country?
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Main Page | Editorial Cartoons | Photos | Participant Accounts
Participant Accounts
Account # 1: Excerpts from Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen
…The election of 1892 arrived, and with it the usual excitement of such occasions. Petitions poured in from every part of the Islands for a new constitution; these were addressed to myself as the reigning sovereign. They were supported by petitions addressed to the Hui Kalaaina, who in turn indorsed and forwarded them to me.
How does Liliuokalani justify a new constitution?
Does Liliuokalani effectively answer the charges that are made against her in this passage?
Should Liliuokalani be accountable for laws she signed, even if the constitution required her to do so?
Account # 2: Extracts from statement made by the Queen to Minister Blount
At about five P.M., however, the troops from the United States ship Boston were landed, by the order of the United States minister, J. L. Stevens, in secret understanding with the revolutionary party, whose names are L. A. Thurston, .... Why had they landed when everything was at peace? I was told that it was for the safety of American citizens and the protection of their interests. Then, why had they not gone to the residences, instead of drawing in line in front of the palace gates, with guns pointed at us, and when I was living with my people in the palace?
Reading this account, does it sound like there is any danger?
How does Liliuokalani react when she is informed that she is being removed? Do you think she poses a danger of violence to the rebels?
In his letters to Washington, Stevens implies that Liliuokalani is basically a puppet of unsavory characters. Reading this account she wrote, do you believe that?
Account # 3: Letters from John L. Stevens, American Minister to Hawaii
The great lack here now is an intelligent and efficient executive,
which it is impossible to have with the existing monarchy. For twenty
years the palace has been the center of corruption and scandal, and is
likely to remain so as long as the Hawaiian native monarchy exists.
There is little doubt that the less responsible and more resolute op-
ponents of the Queen and the marshal are strong enough to capture
the palace and Government buildings, but the more responsible and
conservative citizens favor only pacific measures and urge forbearance.
Account # 4: Liliuokalani on Trial
"I would ask you to consider that your government is on trial before the whole civilized world, and that in accordance with your actions and decisions will you yourselves be judged. The happiness and prosperity of Hawaii are henceforth in your hands as its rulers. You are commencing a new era in its history. May the divine Providence grant you the wisdom to lead the nation into the paths of forbearance, forgiveness, and peace, and to create and consolidate a united people ever anxious to advance in the way of civilization outlined by the American fathers of liberty and religion.
Liliuokalani writes in her autobiography that she believes her trial was
intended to discredit and embarrass Hawaii’s former ruler.
Reading the statement she made at the trial, do you think this was accomplished?
Does Liliuokalani sound “beaten?”
Do you think Liliuokalani is more concerned for her own future or her country’s?
Main Page | Editorial Cartoons | Photos | Participant Accounts ******************************************************************** These are Political Cartoons that were found in Queen Liliuokalani's files:   *******************************
Note: The U.S. has a history of ANIMOSITIES AGAINST HAWAIIANS, PEOPLE OF COLOR.............. As well as ANIMOSITIES against the American Indians, Blacks/"NIGGERS", et. als. and have depicted our people as "NIGGERS" as well............... |
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