St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-25
a TEST OF STRENGTH.

The first round in the encounter in
the house of representatives between
the administration and anti-admin-
lStration forces on the Hawaiian
issue resulted in a decided victory for
the former. On test vote on referring
the resolutions of Mr.. Cochran and
Mr.. Boutelle to the foreign affairs COM
mittee, the government showed ma
jority of 81. The vote was not full
one, but was entirely representative, as
there were as many absentees belonging
to one faction as TO another.
The debate that occurred on the CUES.
ton of reference uncovered the tactics
of the opponents of the presidents
policy as to Hawaii. Mr.. Boutelle was
the spokesman OF the faction that will
endeavor to excuse the precipitate haste
of the Harrison administration in rush.
ing through treaty of annexation
without affordlng opportunity for pro-
test from the people of the islands or
without listening to the case of the
queen. 1t was wholly eX-parte pro-
ceeding. But thirty-two days were per-
United to elapse between the first step
taken by the conspirators in Honolulu
and the submission of the treaty of an
neXation to the senate of the United
States. 1t was only because of the con-
stitutional difficulties in the way of
haSty action that the intamy was not
consummated ere the people of either
country had had an opportunity to be
heard. The active agents Of the con-
spiracy included the U nited States
minister and many of the lingo states.
men at Washington, including thethen
secretary of state, and it is not entirely
manifest that the president himself was
not actively and guilty concerned in
the transaction.
AS the matter now stands. the proba-
bllities are that the committee on for
eign affairs will submit two reports.
The majority will no doubt approve of
the course pursued by President Cleve-
land, while the minority will dissent
and give its Endorsement to the contem-
plated grab policy Of the Harrison ad-
ministration. The debate on the re-
ports will be an animated one, and the
public will learn much of which it is
nowin Ignorance regarding the means
employed to consummate the greatest
international crime in our history. The
vote of Tuesday assures not only ma
jorlty report from the committee in
favor of the Cleveland policy, but ma
jority vote OF the house sustaining if.
The moral sense of the people of the
United States is certain to revolt against
any attempt to commit breach of in
ternational courtesy by means so des-
picable as those employed by Minister
Stevens and his co-conspirators. both at
Honolulu and Washington. Every good
citizen is anxious to promote the ma
tional welfare, to eXalt its dignity at
home and abroad. and to extend its in
fluence in favor of democratic govern.
ment throughout the world, and all
Legitimate means toward securing these
results will have the unanimous and
hearty approval Of men of all parties.
But any attempt to perpetrate wrong,
! and especially upon a weak and de-
| fenseless neighbor, is repugnant to our
| ideas Of justice and fair play, no matter
| what the objects sought may be. We
cannot afford to do evil that good may
come. We can always afford to do
right, at whatever cost to pride or in
| clination-
This is the doctrine broadly enunci-
ated in the message OF President Cleve-
land with regard to Hawaii. 1t is the
doctrine that the Democratic party will
| approve, and whatever the present diff
ferences may be, it will ultimately be
acknowledged by the whole people as
the only sound doctrine-the only doc
trlne consistent with our professions,
with our theories of government, and
with our constitution and laws.