Aloha mai kakou,As Liliu'okalani departs on the Makee from Kaua'i, and returns home to Honolulu, where the heat of the passionate people outmatches the heat of the end of summer, we now enter an even darker period of our great Queen's life. Her entrance into the world of revolutionary politic's and trying to decide what is best for her own situation as the next reigning monarch.The royal line that both her and her brother, King Kalakaua, represent is slowly being turned and manipulated by those around her into a symbol of their lust and greed for more power. And Liliu'okalani being both a woman of great power and of great resource already being drooled over by bloodthirsty Missionary's. Missionary's on a mission who were already steadfast in deposing the King of most of his power in the Bayonet Treaty of 1887, and were now only waiting to execute their next plan of action; to turn the gallant knight into the cowardly fool.Enter Robert Wilcox, a half Hawaiian-half caucasion, as the knight in shining armor, who seems to dig himself into more and more trouble the deeper and deeper he travels into the rabbit hole of the Missionary conspirator party and learns of their treasonous secrets.He sees the inherent wrong in the missionary's as he traverses on his mission to slay more missionary giants, but finds himself in a war that requires far more men than are at his side. He makes his way to his beloved Queen in hoping she would hear his message of revolution and support him in his cause and act.The missionary conspirators, knowing that Wilcox will parade this information to the monarchy, move forward with their primal attack.As Liliuokalani takes care of her ill husband, Kalakaua returns abroad with his Queen. Liliuokalani does not yet fully realize the turmoil of the people, nor does she see the future that is beginning to lay itself in front of her. A battlefield of many proportions.Here we find Liliuokalani, sitting in her vast garden at Palama. Thinking on things both artistic and philosophical in nature. Meandering thoughts in a meandering world of harsh politics and ill-mannered Christian's plotting against the monarchy behind closed doors in secret, treasonous discussions.A revolution lays itself before her, and she must play her role as having no hand in its course. Yet any decision she makes with Robert Wilcox at her doorstep, is a step into the future. A future queen in compromise of thought, but she musters up her courage and gives the dueling knight the best advice she knows, and tells him to lay low.She see's the conflict raging within Wilcox's brown eyes. She knows she cannot validate his knightly quest to release the monarchy with freedom from the missionary tribe of riflist's and bayonet's at every corner. But does she realize the monster she may have to take up arms against in her compromise advising Wilcox against his attempted revolution?We may all continue to ask ourselves that same question, regarding this small decisive matter laid upon one woman in an event that parades this story forward. And as I leave you this chapter from our dearly beloved Queen, I beg you to ask yourself the same question.He la koa, he la he'eA day to be brave, a day to flee.Hale MawaeEo Lono!CHAPTER XXXIIATTEMPTED REVOLUTIONON returning to Washington Place, greatly to my regret I found my husband suffering much from the attacks of his old enemy, the rheumatism. But he bore his sufferings patiently, and was pleased to know that I had had so pleasant a journey. On the day following my return, I went to my out-of-town residence at Palama, in order to look over my garden, in which I have never ceased to take a keen interest. After satisfying myself that the faithful old gardener had given everything proper care, I turned my attention toward the house itself, and found matters there also satisfactory.I had finished my examinations, and was just on the point of leaving, when I heard steps on the front staircase; and knowing that some person was without, I advanced to the door, which I did not open, but drew down the grating, and met the gaze of a young man with haggard, anxious countenance. It was Mr. Robert W. Wilcox who was standing before me, trying with all his self-control to appear calm, but evidently much excited. He told me in a few words that he was ready to release the king from that hated thraldom under which he had been oppressed, and that measures had already been taken. I asked him at once if he had made mention of so important a matter to His Majesty. He replied that he had not.I then charged him to do nothing unless with the full knowledge and consent of the king. To this he responded that he had counted the cost, and would most gladly lay down his life for my brother's sake. He then proceeded to inform me that it was on this very night that the step would be taken; that every preparation had been made, and the signal for decisive action would soon be given. This was the first intimation of any kind which had been brought to my knowledge of the initiation of the movement. At the time he was speaking with me I had not the least idea of the use which subsequent events proved had been made of my Palama residence, and my old gardener had been kept in equal ignorance. Our lack of suspicion is easily explained; for the entire building can be traversed when the shutters are kept closed, and no observer on the outside would be any the wiser, whatever his position. Knowing this as well as I, Mr. Wilcox and his associates had held their secret meetings there; and always observing due caution, their occupancy or manner of using the place was known only to themselves.It turned out just as I had been warned by my visitor; and on the very night of the disclosure the outbreak occurred, and Mr. Wilcox made his unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the missionary party. The king that night was not at the palace, but at his boat-house. I was in Washington Place. As I have always been in the habit of rising early, I awoke at my usual time, and saw that my husband was quietly sleeping, and having a respite from his pain. I dressed without disturbing him, and strolled out into the garden, where I was in the habit of taking a morning walk before breakfasting.I was not long there before I noticed that something unusual was transpiring. Members of the rifle companies were to be seen hastening from every direction; some of them fully dressed and carrying their arms in proper form, but some appeared to have left their homes in haste, so that they did not have the various parts of their uniform adjusted, but were dressing themselves as they ran past. They were all going in the direction of the armory on Punch-Bowl Street. Young Harry Auld, who was employed in the custom-house, went by while I stood near the gate to my grounds; and I asked him at once what was the meaning of the commotion at this early hour.He informed me that Mr. Wilcox had taken possession of the palace, and was supported there by a company of soldiers. Naturally I connected this information with what I had heard the night before, and all became clear to me.Towards ten o'clock in the forenoon firing began, and soon shots went whizzing past our house. There were occasional outbursts of musketry throughout the day; but towards evening all became tranquil again, or nearly so. We heard that Mr. Wilcox had been deserted by his men, and had therefore surrendered. The rifle companies were stationed at the music hall opposite the palace; but their gallant commander kept out of harm's way at the Hawaiian Hotel, from whence he sent his orders by an orderly to his executive officer.Late in the afternoon Mr. Hay Wodehouse, and the purser of the steamer Australia, climbed onto the roof of the hotel stables to have their share of the fun, taking with them a small mortar or other contrivance for firing bombs. They discharged these missiles into the palace grounds, aiming at the bungalow with such effect as to shatter the furniture of the Princess Poomaikalani, and do much other damage.This was the time when Mr. Wilcox sent word to Colonel Ashford that he would lay down his arms; and being arrested for the useless riot, he was led to the station-house. His punishment was a moderate imprisonment, and it has been said that he was released from the consequences of his act because he had in his power certain persons who would have been much terrified had he been inclined to tell all he knew. However this may be, it is evident that out of gratitude he had perhaps some plans or purposes for being of service to my brother, because the king had tried in the past to do something for him. His enthusiasm was great, but was not supported by good judgment or proper discretion. His efforts failed; and indeed, it is not easy to see how under the circumstances it could have been otherwise.
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