The passage of these bills created intense indignation.  All felt that it was a piece of treachery and fraud, those who gave the queen any credit for good intentions looking upon her as weak and vacillating and utterly under the influence of bad advisers.

As yet, however, no thought of revolution had arisen.  It was imagined that the worst stage had been reached.  But when the announcement was made the next day that the queen was about to declare a new constitution the most vivid dread and alarm were aroused.  Feeling now secure of a revenue from the proceeds of the lottery and the opium trade, Queen Liliuokalani no longer hesitated to show her hand.  The proposed new constitution was a scheme for a return to absolute monarchy, one under which every white man on the islands, unless married to a Hawaiian woman, would be deprived of the right to vote.

The act was a fatal one to her reign.  It precipitated a revolution which quickly brought her queenship to an end.  The steps which led to this result are well worth relating.

The ceremony of proroguing the legislature ended, the queen returned to the palace with the purpose of immediately proclaiming the new constitution.  In the procession to the palace the native society called the “Hui Kalaiaina” marched in a double line, its president carrying a large package containing the constitution.  A throng of Hawaiians surrounded the palace gates and filled the grounds near the front entrance to the building, the queen’s guard being drawn up under arms.

In the throne room the native society which had escorted the queen ranged themselves in regular lines, their president, Alapai, having in his hand an address which he proposed to deliver.  Most of the native members of the legislature were also present, some members of the diplomatic corps being with them.

While they waited, the cabinet was assembled in the blue room, to which they had been summoned by the queen.  Here a striking scene took place.  Liliuokalani placed before them a copy of the new constitution and bade them sign it, saying that she proposed to promulgate it at once.  She met with an outspoken opposition.

“Your Majesty, we have not read that constitution,” said Mr. Parker, Secretary of Foreign Affairs.  “And before we read it we must advise you that this is a revolutionary act.  It cannot be done.”

An angry reply came from the queen, and an animated discussion followed, in which the cabinet officials said that a meeting had just been held with the foreign representatives and that if she persisted there was danger of an insurrection.

“It is your doing,” she replied.  “I would not have undertaken this step if you had not encouraged me to do so.  You have led me to the brink of a precipice and are now leaving me to take the leap alone.  Why not give the people this constitution?  You need have no fear.  I will bear the brunt of all the blame afterwards.”