Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 1, 1 January 1993 — DECLARATION OF RIGHTS [ARTICLE]

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

"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 whieh He has given alike to every man and every chief of correct deportment; life, limb, liberty, f reedom of oppression; the earnings of his hands and the productions of his mind, not however to those who act in violation of the laws. "God hasalso established government, and ruleforthe purposeof peaee; but in making laws forthe 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 whieh are at variance with what is above expressed, neither shall any tax be assessed, nor any service of labor required of any man, in a manner whieh is at variance with the above sentiments." "Declaration of Rights, both of the People and Chiefs," The First Constitution of Hawai'i, granted by Kamehameha III, October 8, 1840.