The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-25

TN. HAWAIIAN SITUATION.


Hawaii by this time knows that the
American people without distinction Of
party are opposed TO the Cleveland policy
Of subverting comparatively stable re-
public and replacing 1t with barbarous
throne. Under these circumstances the
United States government Is likely to be
spared the disgrace Of striking down
foreign and friendly governments and re-
placing 1t with degraded despotism. The
argument of Secretary Of State Gresham
for the restoration of Queen LII would
Justify the domination Of the Ses Perces
over the state of Washington today.
One of tho most disgusting features OF
the whole business has been its despicabls
trickery. Secretary Gresham's report.
written and signed on or before October
is. was withheld from congress In order
that the provisional government might be
overthrown BY tho American executive
without any knowledge or interference OF
the legislative branch Of our government.
The cheapest trick of all Is announced in
the New York Herald, which is the ac-
credited organ Of the queen and Claus
Gpreckeis The Herald was able to an
nounce week before any other newspaper
that the administration intended to re-
store tho monarchy. and had that infor-
nation at q date when nobody outside Of
the administration believed that an Amer
lean president would stoop to such
IN infamous undertaking. The Herald
announces that Willis took two sets
OF credentials, one addressed to the
republican provisional government and
the other to the queen. He was to pre-
sent his Gre dentials to President Dole,
and then to inform him that President
Cleveland declined the Hawaiian propo-
sision for union with the United States.
That act, according to the theory imputed
70 tho administration by the Herald,
would terminate the existence OF the pro-
visionai government 10 far - the United
States are concerned, inasmuch a. the
provisional government was avowsdly e.
tahlished to effect union with the United
States Of America The provisional gov
ernment thus being at an end BY reason
of Mr.. Clevciand's declination to negotiate
further for terms of union, the old mon
arehy would become the existing govern
ment. and NJ. Willis second set of cre-
dentials could Immediately bc presented
10 Queen Liliuokalani. This pettifogging
practice Is worthy of a police court
shyster, but utterly unworthy of the pres
ident of the United States or hi, secretary
Of state.
The administration. while congress was
in session, sat In secret session upon
Hawaii, and decided not for neutrality but
for the queens restoration. Anything
short OF that will not satisfy the demands
of justice" is the language Of Secretary
Gresham; he might as we'll toll us that the
commonwealth of Massachusetts, ought 10
give way to the heirs and assigns of King
Philip OF Pokanoket. When we consider
tho contemplate secrecy concerning an
important public matter while congress
was In session; when we remember that
neither congress or the people were con.
suited when We remember the enormou.
risk of indeiiolc disgrace TO the American
name that was taken by Cleveland and
his secretary ii is difficult to write pa
tiently Of their conduct In this matter.
President Harrison was severely criti.
cised for his percmptory treatment o
Chile. eus President Harrison acted like 9
man: he concealed nothing and he listenee
TO the moderate counsels of Blaine at The
last moment; President Harrison took ia,
American congress into his confidence o
both parties. This very man Blount wal
one of the men 10 whom President Harrl
son frankly explained his views on tn,
subject OF Chile. The action of Presiden
Harrison WAS orcn aud above board: b,
took congressman Of both parties into hi
entire confidence. and his acts were q,
open book before the people from first {,
laat, but the conduct OF Cleveland sns
Gresham from first 10 las, has been bi
OF cheap cunning and dark lantern
diplomacy.
The course of events has saved Cieve
lands al ministrstion from a stain tina.
like the damned spot" on Lady Mae
heth's hand. would not ''out' with FIRE
quen, washlngs. but from this day for
ward President Cleveland ana Secretar,
Gresham have lost the confidence Of Ia
American people. As inrist Secretar,
Gresham has shown his utter ignorance O
international law, and President Cieys
land has shown his ineapseity Co dea
frankly and fairly with the American
people. lie has stopped to lew Gun
ning and trieksry. he has shows
dense ignorance Of the llmlta
tons of his powers as an executive
sad he has nsedlessly imresiled the goo,
nxmc Of the American people. sappos
tomorrow there should ee collision he
sseen the United States marines aaa th
forces OF the provisional government re
Ulssing the restoration OF the queen, sh
good name Of the United States would b
furnished tor all time whether Queen Il
vas res.ored or cur marines were ri
pulsed. We would fec! SIS theroughl
ashamed Of the waole business a. IS
did In the old days before the war whe,
Amlhony Burns. Fugitive slave, was SEA
hack 60 the South frsga Rossea under a,
escort OF marines aud cannon To pr.y,a
hs rescue BY the pser.s.