Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-12-25
Democratic Analysis.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer Dem

From the Cincinnati Enquirer Dem
The task which the President had as
signed to the government of the Uuite-i
States WAS III. solution Of some problem
vhich appears 10 him to be presented b,
the domestic affairs of foreign country
to wit, the Sandsieh islands. He see.a
nothing inherent in the original case which
would have limited bis power, or given
Congress the right to inquire, much less to
act, 10 the premises. IL is only ''dith uitiss
lately created, both here and in Hawaii"
that stand in the way of the President
going it alone in the mstter. These
freshly made difficulties, he Informs US, are
now standing 10 the way of "a solution
through executive action of the problem
presented Such trihing distractions as sn
existing de facto gov rnment in Hawaii, the
recognition of that government by the
United States - both through him and
through his predecessor-snd the absene
of any authority given by Congress to make
war upon the government so recognized, and
the substantial unanimity of the public SEN
tment of the country aGsinst the restora-
ton of the kanaka Queen, could have been
easily brushed aside, but difficulties lately
Great I'd" have at last given him pause.
IL is fortunate that these unforeseen diff
cuiti,s have not only injured the prop let's
of an exclusively executive solution of the
question, but that they have prompted the
President finally to bring the government
of the Urited States out of its hiding pl ICE,
and to take Congress, which was formt rly
part of the government, into bis conf
Gence. Ii is quite evident that in referring
the matter to what he is graci1usly pleased
to admit is - he broader authority and dis
erection of Congress be is somewhat out
of humor, for he INDUCES IN some pee,ish
expressions. He would suppose that
right and Justice should determine the
path to be followed" IF national honesty
is to be disregarded,' then he has entirely
misapprehended the mission and character
of our government, and the behavior which
the conscience of our peopl, demands of
every public servant" That is to say, be
is struggling against an adverse popular
current in this desire of his TO be right and
Just and honest. But We must not be too
critical. The great fact r+mains that this
private enterprise of the President-this
freak of knight errantry in behalf of an in
jured female-its current turned awry,
loses the name of action. The war power
still remains 10 its original and constitution
al repository, the Congress Of the United
Stsres.
The Presidents message is an aban lon
n.nt of his scheme to perpetuate the Ha-
waian monarchy. The country is to be
congratulated that the miserable business
has oeen brought to an end, and thst the
people of the United States and their repre-
sentatives in Congress have at last been
permitted to know for what purpose the ma
tion's authority has been secretly used for
months in matter of so much importance.
1t has been a severe strain upon the public
patience. and has not added to the reputa-
ton, either for wis ION or prudence, IF The
President or his secretary of state.