The record-union., 1893-12-19

by act OF force, committed Win bne
participation of a diplomatic representa-
tive OF the United States, and without
authority of Congress, a Government OF
feeble, bat friendly and confiding people
has been overthrown. 4 substantial
wrong has thus been done, which due
regard Tor our national character, as well
as the rights of an injured people, re-
qulres that we should endeavor 10 repair
The Provisional Government has not
assumed republican or other constitu-
tional form, but has remained mere Ex-
ecutive Council or oligarchy, set up with
out The assent of the people. 1t has not
seen ut to find a permanent basis OF pop
ular support and has given no evidence
of an intention to do so. Indeed, repre-
sentatiyes of that Government assert
that the people of Hawaii are unfit for
popular government, and frankly avow
that they can be best ruled by arbitrary
or despotic power.
The law of nations, founded upon rea-
son and justice. and the rules OF conduct
covering the individual citizens as sub
jects of civilized State, are equally
applicable as between enlightened ma
tiOns. Consideration of international
law, without court for its enforcement
and obedience to its commands, prac-
tically depends upon good faith, instead OF
upon the mandate of a superior tribunal
which only gives additional sanction to
the law itself and brands any delibrate in
fraction of it not merely as wrong
but as disgrace.
CANNOT CoUNTENANCE a WRONG.
a man of true honor protects that un-
written word which binds his conscience
more scrupulously, if possible, than he
does bond, the breach of which subjects
him to legal liabilities; and the United
States, in aiming to maintain itself as
- IL
would do it's citizens gross injustice II 1t
applied to its international relations any
other than high standard of honor and
morality.
On that ground the United States can
not properly be put in the position Of
cOuntenancing wrong after its commits
sion, any more than in that of conSentlng
to it in advance. On that ground, it cannot
allow itself to refuse to redress an injury
inflicted through an abuse of power by Of
fcers clothed with its authority and
wearing its uniform. And, on the same
ground, if feeble but friendly State is in
| danger of being robbed Of its independ-
1 ence and its sovereignty by misuse OF
! power, the United States cannot fail to
! vindicate its honor and its sense ofjustlce
! by an earnest effort to make all possible
reparation.
These principles apply to the present
]
special conditions of the Queens sur
render of her sovereignty are recalled.
| She surrendered, not to the Provisional
| Government, but to the United States
/ She surrendered, not absolutely and per-
manently, but only temporarily and con-
! diuonally till such time as the facts could
! be considered by the United States.
| Furthermore, the Provisional Govern
ment acquiesced in her surrender in that
manner, and in those terms-not only by
tacit consent, but through positive acts of
/ some members of the Government, who
urged her to peaceable surrender, not
merely to avoid bloodshed, but because
! she could place implicit reliance upon the
/ Justice of the United States, and that the
whole subject would be finally consld-
cred at Washington.
AN INCIDENT OF THE UNFORTUNATE
AFFAIR.
have not, however, overlooked an in
cident of this unfortunate affair which
remains to be mentioned. Members OF
the Provisional Government and their
supporters, though not entitled to eX-
treme sympathy, have been led to their
present predicament of revolt against
the Government of the Queen by lnde-
fensible encouragement and assistance oil
our diplomatic representative. This IS
fact that may entitle them to the claim
that in every effort to rectify the wrong
of the committee some regard should be
/ had for their safety. This sentiment is
strongly seconded by my anxiety to do
nothing which would invite either harsh
retaliation on the part OF the Queen, or
violence or bloodshed in any quarter.
In the belief that the Queen, as well as
/ her enemies, would be willing to adopt
such course as would meet those condi-
tions, and in view of the fact that both
/ the Queen and the Provisional Govern
ment had at one time apparently acqul-
esced in the reference Of the entire case to
the United States Government; and con-
sidering the further fact that, in any
event, the present Government, by its
Town declared limitation, was only TO eX-
ist until ''the terms of union with the
/ United States of America had been ne
gotiated and agreed upon," l hoped that,
after an assurance to the members Of the
Government that such union could not be
consummated, I might compass peace
full adjustment of the difficulty.
Actuated by these desires and purposes,
and not unmindful of the inherent per-
plexities of the situation, nor of the limit
ations upon my power, l instructed Min
lister Willis to advise the Queen and
her supporters of my desire to
aid in the restoration of the status exist
inc before the lawless landing of United
States forces at Honolulu on the 10Th OF
January last, if such restoration could be
effected upon terms providing for Glenn
ency as we'll as justice to all parties con-
cerned.
The conditions suggested, as the last
instructions show, contemplate general
amnesty to those concerned in the max
ing up OF the Provisional Government
and the recognition of all its bona fide
acts and obligations. In short, they re-
ouire that the past should be buried and
| hot Ia
resume its authority as if its continuity
had not been interrupted. These condi-
tions have not proved acceptable to the
Queen, and, though she has been in
formed that they will be insisted upon,
and that, unless acceded TO, the efforts OF
the President to aid in the restoration o1
her Government will cease, / have not
thus far learned that she is willing tC
yield them her acquiescence.
The check which my plans have thus
: encountered has prevented their pre-
sentation to members of the Provisional
Government, while unfortunate public
misrepresentation OF the situation and
exaggerated statements of the sentiments
OF our people have obviously injured the
prospects Of successful Executive media
ton.
I therefore submit this communication
with accompanying exhibits, embracing
Blount's report, the evidence and state
ments taken by him at Honolulu, the in
structions given both Blount and Minis.
ter Willis and the correspondence con
nected with the affair in hand.
In commanding this subject to the ex-
tended powers and wide discretion O
Congress, L desire to add the assurance
that l shall be much gratified to cooper
ate in any legislative plan which may bt
devised for the solution of the problem
before us, which is consistent will
American honor, integrity and morality
GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executive Mansion, Washington, Decem
Der 5, 1898.
"You have no Burke's peerage in thi