The sun., 1893-12-20
Tho Weak Excuse for q Wrong.

A leading trait Of Mr. CLEvELAND's de-
fence of his attempt to restore monarchy In
Hawaii Is Its distortion OF history to suit
his purpose.
Tho great question as to the overthrow Of
Queen LrLIUoKALASI Is why she was over
thrown. II che had given no cause for such
treatment. We might infer that IL was an
oct OF injustice perpctrated by plotters for
annexation. But II she meritod her fate,
there Is no ground for such an inference.
Her downfall in that case was just; and
whether another monarch should then be
set up. as in the English revolution OF 1888.
or the throne abolished. rs in our own Revo-
luton. or annexation to the nearest great
republic sought. rs after the revolution OF
Texas. was a mattor for Hawaii alone to
determine.
EOw. what does Mr.. CLEVELAND say Of
this important matter3 As little as possi-
Bile. Guessing IL over as II OF minor conse-
quence: but all that little Is in palliation
Of an outrageous act Of tyranny:
"on Saturday. Jsu. II. 1893 the Queen OF Hawaii
wh" bad bssu contemplating the proclaim alton OF a
nss Constitution hal in defersncs to the wishes and
r.nonstrAness ot her Cabinet renowned the projeet
for the present at least. On Monday morning. the
Queen Andhss Cabinet male public proclamation. with
ssn'Nrivss OF all foreign Governments that any
ossa :ss in the cnn-ttUtion would be sought only
the methods provided by tha; instrument"
Tho daring violation of popular rights by
the despOtic Queen is thus rot even re-
corded as an independent fact. but 1t Is
only mentioned when wrought In as the
subordinate clause o. u sentence which pro-
claims her gracious renunciation OF that
scheme elm Difference to the wishes and
remOnstrnnces Of hcr Cabinet" slur at
the citizens OF Honolulu for taking this
relnquished purpose as n basis Of action"
and a further exposure Of his own frame OF
mind In the phrase the Queens alleged
illegal and unlawful proceedings" COM
plete Mr.. CLRyELAND's references TO the
very essence OF the whole controversy.
Could II have been thought possible. In
earlier days. that President of the United
States would ever send TO Congress a mes
sage palliating and Guessing over the arbi-
trary act OF monarch In seeking TO
destroy the written Constitution OF her.
people by her own fat. thus overriding and
violating the methods lawfully provided
for its alteration? Could 1t have been be-
ueved that such a message would denounce
~ plotters the patriotic citizens who should
overthrow such Queen. and seek admission
into our Union. where Constitutions are re-
spected and thrones unknown
Not content with this outrage upon Amer
lean sentiment and tradition. as we'll as
upon little island community struggling
for free government. Mr. CLEVELAND ap-
parently tries TO suggest that Minister
STEVENS was the originator OF the Queens
overthrow. For this purpose he quotes
from q despatch written less than two
months before that overthrow. declaring
that " the monarchy here is an absurd
anaehronism. an impediment to good gov
eminent" and that 1t would be benefit
both TO Hawaii and the United States IL the
Islands were annexed TO our country.
Well. every word Of Mr.. SFEVESs's de-
spatch Was true then. aud Is true to-day.
1t was true before he wrote. and it had been
the talk OF tho islands as OF the United
states. But what no saw as a sympathetic
observer on the spot, at a time when our
political canvass caused less attention TO be
paid TO 1t here. so that it became his duty
~ write OF It. was that very recent events
had brought Hawaii 10 the parting OF the
ways" The succession Of the dsspotic, Con-
Stitution-broakinE LILIUoKALASI 10 KALA-
KAUA. who. with all his faults. was still |
sensible. traetable. and a great sdmirer
Of the United states. was bringing on q crt- |
sis. and various legislative scandals were
further Fastening It,
The occurrence Of that crisis less than
two months GftsTwaTd amply shows the
accuracy Of Mr.. sTEyENs's observation. and ]