Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-11-15
without Warrant.

The statement Of Hon. John l.. Stevens
the late | ted States minister of Hawaii,
and that of Minister Thurston Of Hawaii,
which are published today, are costradic.
tons in the --latest terms of the evidence or
assumptions upon which the present admin
istration proceeded in its resolution to over
turn the existing government of Hawaii and
restore the dethroned queen. Even if we
sssume with the admin tration that all the
men CONNIE cted with the revolution in
Hawaii were liars except the queen and her
supporters, it is pslp.ble that this assump-
ton Is no warrant for the procedure that
has been taken.
No authority is vested in the President
by the Constitution, and none has been con-
ferred by Congress to upset the present
provisional government at Hawaii by force
of arms. Ii any representatives of the
past administration or of the nation have
exceeded their authority or perpetrsted an
outrage in aiding or sbetting a rebellion
against the sovereign of Hawaii, it is right
that they should be called to account by the
present administration in proper prosecu-
ton and trial. But ne offence of Minister
ST. vens or of the dead commander of the
Urited States naval forces can Justify the
assumption of authority by the sdministra-
ton to overturn the existing and recognized
provisional government without the formal
instruction of Congress.
This 10 a fact to which all the upholders
Of the administration and its course appear
to have closed their eyes. Who will pre-
tend to point out any constitutional right Of
the President TO u,urp the authority ex-
pressiy committed to Congress TO define
and punish offences against the law Of
nations or to declare war against any exist
ing government? II the forcible overturn
of the provisional government of Hawaii
for the alleged purpose of righting wrong
in the former revolution is not usurpation
of the powers residing in Congress alone,
we should like to know what it is.
The more closely the declared course of
the present administration is considered, the
more indefensible it appears to be. The
New York Sun does not hesitate to declare
il An infamy and to thank heaven that the
Democratic party cannot be charged with
the responsibility for it. We do not Judge
the motives of the administration so harsh
" in our recognition of the colossal blunder
which has been committed, but we do affirm
that the action of the present administration
10 clearly in conflict with propriety and Ie-
gality.
The concealment of its intentions until
after the adjournment Of Congress is par
ticularly discredisahle evasion of the chal-
lenEe which would certainly have been made.
II the President was satisfied that he was
right and warranted in his procedure and
was impelled simply by conscientious con-
viction, ~ his admirers claim. Why should
he cover up bis determination for
weeks and send his emiseafy to
overthrow the provisional government in a
way to preclude the possibility of contra,
vsntion by the overrufiug power of Con-
gress. Il may be that he is convinced that
bis will oueht TO be law and that Congress
and the Constitution are merely impt di-
ments to the higher justice which he would
administer. but the American people will
be heard from in indignant dispute Of his