People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-12-22
,ains and penalties Of treason BY undertaking

But for the presence OF the United States
forces in the immediate vicinity and in posi-
ton 10 AFFORD oil needed protection and sup
pert the committee would not have proclaimed
the provisional government from the steps OF
the government building
And. finally, but for the lawless occupation
Of Honolulu under false pretexts by the United
states forces and but for Minister Steyens's
recognition OF the provisional government
when the United States forces we're its sole
support and constituted its only military
strength, the queen and her government would
never have yielded 10 the provisional govern.
ment, even for time and for the sole purpose
OF submitting her case 10 the enlightened ius.
tice OF the United States.
Believing therefore that the United States
could not, under the circumstances disclosed.
annex these Islands without justly mourning
the imputation OF acquiring them by unjusti-
fable methods, shall not again submit the
treaty OF annexation 10 the senate for its con-
Sideration. and in the instructions 10 Minister
Willis, q copy OF which accompanies this docu.
ment, have directed him TO so inform the
provisional government.
But In the present instance eur duty does
not, in my opinion, emp with refusing TO con-
summate this questionable transaction II has
been the boast OF our government that II seeks
10 do Justice in all things without regard % the
strength or weakness OF those with whom II
deals. | mistake the American people IL they
favor the odious doctrine that there is no such
thing as international morality, that there is
one law for strong nation and another for o
weak one and that even by lndirectiOn
strong power may with impunity despoil
weak one OF its territory.
BY an act Of war, committed with the par
ticpation OF diplomatic representative OF the
United States and without authority OF con.
gress, government of feeble but friendly
and eontdin1 people has been overthrow. A
substantial wrong has thus been done which
q due regard for our national character as well
as the right Of the injured people requires that
we should endeavor 10 repair. The
provisional government has not as
sumed republican or other constitu-
tional form, but has remained mere ex-
ecutive council or oligarchy. set up without
the assent OF the peOp.e. 1t has not seen lit TO
ina permanent basis OF popular support and
b given no evidence Of an intention 10 do
so Indeed the representatives Of that gov
eminent assert that the people Of Hawaii are
unfit for popular government and frankly
aNow that they can best be ruled by arbitrary
or deapOtic power
CONGRESS CALLED UP TO ACT.
The law Of nations is founded upon reason
aud justice. and the rules OF conduct govern
In individual citizens or subjects Of a ciyiliz.
ed state are equally applicable Us between
enliIhtencd nations The considerations that
international law is without court for its en-.
forcement, and that obedience 10 the com.
mands practically depends upon ,ood faith.
instead OF upon the mandate OF superior
tribunal only give additional sanction 10
the law itself and brand any deliberate
| infraction OF il not merely as a wrong but as
disgrace A man OF true honor protects the
unwritten word which binds his conscience
more scrupulously, IL possible, than he does
the bond a breach Of with subjects m 10
legal liabilities, and the United States in aim.
| ing 10 maintain itself as one OF the most en-
lightened nations, would do its citizens gross
injustice II it applied to its international rela-
tons any other than high standard OF honor
and morality. On that ground the
| United States cannot properly be
| put in the position OF tountenancng
a wrong after its commission any more than in
that Of cOnselting 10 II in advance. On that
round 1t cannot allow Itself TO refuse TO re-
| dress I'm injury inflicted through an abuse OF
! power by officers clothed with its authority
and wearing its uniform and on the sans
round II a feeble but friendly state is in dan.
| TER OF being robbed Of its independence and its
| sovereignty by q misuse OF power cannot fail
| 10 vindicate its honor and its sense OF justice
! by an earnest effort 10 make al possible repir
alton. These principles apply TO the present
case with irresistible force, when the
special conditions OF the queens surrender Of
| her sovereignty are recalled She surrend-
cred not to the provisional government
but TO the United States. She surrendered
not absolutely and permanently, but temper
| arily and conditionally until such O time as
the facts could be considered BY the United
States Furthermore the provisional govern.
ment a:quiesced in her surrender in that man
ner and on those terms, not only by tacit con.
sent, but through the positive acts OF some
members oil the government who urged her
peaceable submission. not merely TO avoid
bloodshed, but because she could place i'm
plicit reliance upon the justice Of the United
States and that the whole subject would To
finally considered at Washin ton.
have not, however. overlooked an incident
Of this unfortunate affair which remains TO DO
mentioned The members OF the provisional
government and their supporters, though not
| entitled TO extreme sympathy. have been led
10 their present predicament Of revolt AGAINST
the government Of the queen by the indefens.
ible encoura cement and assistance Of our
| diplomatic representative. This fact may en-
title them 10 claim that in every effort 10
rcctify the wrong OF the committee some re-
gard should be had for their safety. This
sentiment is strongly seconded by my anxiety
10 do noth.l; which would invite either harsh
|
and bloodshed in any quarter
In the belief that the queen, as well as heI
enemies, would be willing TO adopt such q
course as would meet these conditions and In
view OF the fact that both the queen and the
provisional government had at one time ap
parently acquiesced in a reference OF the en-
tire case TO the United States government anc
considering the further fact that In any event
the present government by its own declared
limitation was only ito exist until terms Of
union with the United States OF America have
been NEGOTIATED and q. reed upon" hoped
that, after the as urance TO the members Of
that government that such union could not bt
consummated. l ri ht compass peaceful ad
iustneat OF the difficulty.
PROPOSED PAN OF RESTORATION.
Actuated by these desires and purposes, ant
not unmind.ul OF the inherent perplexites Of
the situation nor OF the limitations upon my
power instructed Minister Willis 10 advise
the queen and her supporters OF my desire L
aid in the restoration Of the status exist ng
before the lawle5s landing Of the United
States forces At Honolulu on the 18th Of Jan
uary last, If such restoration could be effected
upon terms providing for clemency as vel
as justice TO all parties concerned Tho con
ditions suggested, rs the last instruction
show. contemplate eneril amnesty 10 thos
concerned in setting up the provisional GOV
eminent and reco. milton of all its bona i'd
) acts and OBLIGATIONS In short they requir
that the past should be buried and that the n
| stored government should its authorit
as il its continuity had not been interrupted
These conditions have not proved aceeptabl
10 the queen and though she has been II
formed that they will be insisted upon an
: that unless acceded 10. the Efforts Of th
? president TO aid in the restoration OF her COY
!. ernment will cease, have not thus far learne
I that she is willing 10 yield theI
e her acQuiescence The check whic
y my plans have thus far encountered he
/ prevented their presentation 10 the member
o OF the provisional government, while unfo
e tunate public Misrepresentation OF the stu;
& ton and exay Grated statements OF the sent
a ments Of our people have obviously injure
2 the prospects Of successful executive meiil
tion.
hereby submit this communication, wit
: the accOmpanylns exhibits. embracing Nj
Blounts report the evidence and statement
!. taken by him Of Honolulu. the instruction
!. given to both Mr. Blount and Minister Willis
Z and correspondence connected with the ana
In hand
d In commendinc this suh,ect 70 the extende