"God hath made of one blood all
nations of men to dwell on the earth," in unity and blessedness.
God has also bestowed certain rights alike on all men and all chiefs, and
all people of all lands. These are some of the rights which He has
given alike to every man and every chief of correct deportment; life, limb,
liberty, freedom from oppression; the earnings of his hands and the productions
of his mind, not however to those who act in violation of the laws.
God has also established government,
and rule, for the purpose of peace; but in making laws for the nation it
is by no means proper to enact laws for the protection of the rulers only,
without also providing protection for their subjects; neither is it proper
to enact laws to enrich the chiefs only, without regard to enriching their
subjects also, and hereafter there shall by no means be any laws enacted
which are at variance with what is above expressed, neither shall any tax
be assessed, nor any service or labor required of any man, in a manner
which is at variance with the above sentiments.
The above sentiments are hereby
published for the purpose of protecting alike, both the people and the
chiefs of all these islands, while they maintain a correct deportment;
that no chief may be able to oppress any subject, but that chiefs and people
may enjoy the same protection, under one and the same law.
Protection is hereby secured
to the persons of all the people, together with their lands, their building
lots, and all their property, while they conform to the laws of the kingdom,
and nothing whatever shall be taken from any individual except by express
provision of the laws. What ever chief shall act perseveringly in
violation of this constitution, shall no longer remain a chief of the Hawaiian
Islands, and the same shall be true of the Governors officers, and all
land agents.
But if any one who is deposed
should change his course and regulate his conduct by law, it shall then
be in the power of the chiefs to reinstate him in the place he occupied
previous to his being deposed.