Wilcox rebellions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Wilcox Rebellions were two revolts led by Robert William Wilcox against the government of Hawaii in 1889 and 1895, respectively.
In 1887, in response to increased political tension between the legislature and the king, a group of government ministers led by Interior Minister Lorrin A. Thurston with the support of an armed militia, forced King David Kalākaua to promulgate the 1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The constitution stripped Asians of their voting rights while at the same time limited suffrage to wealthy native Hawaiians, Americans and other Europeans. The king's own powers were limited substantially. A native Hawaiian officer and veteran of the Italian military, Robert William Wilcox, organized a rebellion on July 30 1889 to revive the powers of the monarch over administration. The rebellion was thwarted by the absence of the King at Iolani Palace (who was needed to promulgate a new constitution), and the Honolulu Rifles. Wilcox was tried for treason, and acquitted despite his obvious guilt.
Wilcox participated in a second rebellion in 1895 to overthrow the Republic of Hawaii and return Queen Lili‘uokalani to the throne. The rebels planned to attack government buildings in downtown Honolulu at night, but were quickly routed by government troops. Wilcox himself was in hiding for several days after the rout before capture. Armaments were landed on the beaches of O‘ahu. Wilcox was tried for treason once more. This time Wilcox was found guilty and sentenced to death. However, the President of Hawaii, Sanford B. Dole, pardoned Wilcox.
[edit] References
- Andrade Jr., Ernest (1996). Unconquerable Rebel: Robert W. Wilcox and Hawaiian Politics, 1880-1903. University Press of Colorado. ISBN 0-87081-417-6.
History now records, that such concession, by Dole; commuting the death sentence of the Wilcox Rebellion against the Republic of Hawaii, was had at a price, The Queen's personal abdication of her position, a matter which ONLY effected Monarchical Rule. Due to the Unique make-up and foundation of the Kingdom of Hawaii Government, it was the Kingdom, itself, not the Monarch-Administrators<kings, queens>, that was the True Sovereign Nation. The absence, by force, threat and Coercion/Undue Influence, of the legitimate Governing-Head/Administrator, would <and did> leave the Legitimate Hawaiian Kingdom Government in an impaired state, and open for Great Injustice and Socio-political Genocide. That being the case, the QUEEN, Liliuokalani, fully addressed that matter and placed the entire matter under the TRUSTEESHIP of the 'superior force' and NOT the Interim/Provisional Government, or any of its subsequent-fiducaries. In conclusion, without an Administrator, legitimate Hawaiian-Kingdom Rule was impossible, and due to the on-going threat of force, by the 'Overthrowers', supported by the presence of the United states forces, such 'Rights and Duties' to Rule, and to Conduct Legitimate Government Affairs, the WHOLE matter was placed in TRUST, to the United States Government"...until such time as facts being presented..."<see the Queen's 'yield'; Pub. Law 103-150, Nov. 23, 1993; Apology Bill>
TRUST and Trusteeship is a much misunderstood concept. And yet, all free governments are founded on such TRUST of The People. That Trust remains a Hawaiian Kingdom legacy. While Monarchical Rule may have Ended, the Hawaiian Kingdom Nation yet exists, in its Hawaiian: Kanaka Maoli and Hawaiian Descendant: subjects/citizens/Nationals. The Kingdom of Hawaii: the Nation and the Government are its People.
