The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-14

titled 10 know precisely what course the
American Minister lie empowered to take.
Nothing could he better timed or more
appropriate than the solemn appeal OF the
supporters OF the Hawaiian Government
from the manifest hostility Of Mr.. CLEvR-
LAND 70 the sympathies and sense Of JUS
tlce of Congress. which. In this matter.
seems likely to faithfully reflect the feel
ings OF the American people. They ask tho
American people. through their legislative
representatives. first. TO decide whether
the desire for annexation shall DO gratified,
and II the decision is In the negative. then
to permit the Hawaiian people TO determine
their own destiny. BY such nm appeal the
Hawnilans show themselves better ac-
quainted with tho preccdents OF American
political history than are some American
newspapers The New York World. for
instance. although owned and edited by
Hungarian. is addressed to American
readers. aud should. therefore. evince
rudimentary knowledge OF the Federal Con-
stitutlon and of the leading events in our
political annals. That it knows nothing OF
the Constitution we pointed out when it
demanded a constitutional amendment
making the representation OF the States in
the Senate proportional to their population.
Now we find an equally ludicrous blunder
in an editorial paragraph. wherein the
World informs the llawaians that "an-
nexation must be effected by treaty
II at all: and the President. and not
Congress. initiates negotiations for trea-
ties" This curious dlctum Is pronounced
apropos OF the resolutions adopted at Hon
olulu. appealing to Congress to annex the
Hawaiian Islands. We advise the editor OF
the World to buy history Of the United
States and ascertain how Texas came 10 be
admitted to the Union. II he reads long
enough, he will discover that Texas was
admitted by joint resolution OF Congress.
Admission to the Union is just what the
Hawaians want. and they need no advice
from the foreign editor OF the World as to
tho method Of attaining their desire.
For our own part, we have but little doubt
that. in view Of the aroused feeling OF the
American people. and OF the grave situation
at Honolulu caused by Mr.. CLEvELAND's
attitude. Joint resolution in favor OF an
nexing the Hawaiian Islands could be car
ried through the present Congress For
the moment. however. IL is the business OF
Congress to consider a still moro important
in appointing Commissioner BLouNT, or in
the instructions given to Minister WILLIS.
has exceeded his constitutional authority.
Commercially and stratcglcally valuable as
Hawaii undoubtedly is. and Legitimate and
honorable as Is the wish OF It's inhabitants
for annexation. it Is for us n matter OF far
greater moment to learn whether our
Executive has been guilty OF usurping
powers constitutionally reserved to Con-
gress. II such q usurpation can be prac-
tised with impunity, IL the Congress or
either branch of 1t will cXtenuate or pardon
such an act, then the Constitution OF the
United States might as well be discarded as
q worthless rag. II there be any statute of
tho United States which authorizes the
President. while the Senate is in session.
and without the consent OF that body. to
send Commissioner with paramount
authority over an unrecaled Minister at
Honolulu. 1t is high time that the statute
were produced and. IL any pretext can be
found in tho Constitution or the Federal
laws for an attempt made. or ordered. with
out the consent OF Congress. to overthrow q
friendly Government. Mr.. CLEVELAND is
now called upon to prove to Congress the
existence OF such q pretext.