Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-05-02
An American MiAistes .
New York Tribune. |


The disposition manifested in certain
quarters to discredit our minister to Hawai-
on the ground that he has been loya
American, extremely useful to his country
efficient in the promotion of its interests anG
successful in defending it against the in
trigues and confpiracies of those who seel
to overthrow American influence in Hawaii
furnishes disagreeable evidence of the fact
that there is room in this country for the
development of patriotism. The relation OF
fIaw ali to the United States may not inaptly
be compared with the relation of Egypt tC
England. All certainly that can be claimed
to justify the British occupation of Egypt
enforces our duty to annex Hawaii The
difference in the two condition is simply
this-that the people AMI rulers of Egypl
are opposed to England's domination, and
that France and Turkey claim to have rights
in Egypt comparable with England's, while
Hawaii. by the admission of all nations, is
peculiarly within the sphere of American
influence, and the people resident there
who have tangible interests in the islands
are sincerely and ardently DESTROYS OF
| its corporation into the Union The acts
of British agents in Egypt-acts remark
able for their sndacity and their disregard
of the susceptibiIites of the Egyptian ma.
tives and of other foreigners than English
men--sre hailed by both parties and by the
public press Of England without exception
as wise. patriotic and deserving of applause
and reward 1t does not appear that Min
lister Stevens has done anything in Hawaii
except upon the request of the acknowl-
edged government of the islands and In
accordance with the desires of the Haw allan
| people. He has simply acted the part of a
prudent American Minister, regardful of
his responsibilities and resolute in the per-
Torrance of his duty; but the fact that he
has interpreted his duty to be the advance
ment of his country's influence is seized
upon by a certain section of the Democra-
tic party. apparently with the sympathy of
President Cleveland, as ground for abus-
ing him. 1t appears to be the reason of
the governments action in dispatching a
special commissioner to Hawaii, with
paramount authority in all matters affec-
ting the relations" of that country and ours
In this aspect of Mr.. Cieveland's policy
it is offensive to all intelligent and patriotic
Americans. They are little tired of hav-
ing their representatives abroad abused by
Democratic newspapers and politicians for
no better reason than because they have
upheld the authority and dignity of the Uni
ted States. 1t was thus that Mr.. Egan was
misuscd, while with great sagacity. moder-
alton and good sense he was endeavoring
to compose our difficulties with Chilli IL
is getting to be Characteristic of the
Democratic party to show distrust of any
diplomatic officer of the government who
seems to think the American flag signif-
cant emblem. Minister Stevens is accused
of encouraging the revolution in Hawaii,
whereas it is notorious that he was absent
from the capital when it occurred that he
had been absent for ten days. that the revo-
luton was precipitated by Queen Liliuoka-
ani's arbitrary and unlawful conduct in at
tempting to promulgate a new constitution
seizing for herself absolute power, and that
she took the occasion of Min
ister Stevens absence as oppor-
tune for the performance of this
act. His recognition of the provisional gov
eminent was prompt, but its promptness
was more than justified by the similar ac-
ton Of every other foreign representative
except Englani's and that was not long de-
la,ed. The fact that Minister Stevenss
opinions were frequently expressed to the
Provisional Government concerning the adj
ministration of affairs pending the negoti-
alton at Washington was a nece ssary result
of the appeal for annexation, and he would
have been false to his trust had he failed to
see to it that nothing was done prejudi-
cial to annexation and that the conduct
of the affairs of the islands was such as
would make the situation acceptable to the
American government in case Commissioner
Tburston's negotiation was prosecuted to
successful conclusion.
Beyond this Minister Stevens has done
nothing, and it is national reproaeh that
President Cleveland should have humiliated
him by sending ont another representative
to inquire into mis- acts. They were acts
that needed not inquiry. but confirmation;
not criticism, but applause. 1t is to the
lasting credit Of Presiden. Harrison and his
secretary of the navy that American diplo-
matte and naval officers during the last
administration were made to know that
In being Americans and in doing their du,y
they were expressing the spirit and wishes
Of their government. The President who
examines all the acts of an American min
i.ter in the desire and effort to prove thst
Ids zeal for his country is an offence to the
Americou people understands them poorly.
Minister Stevens may regret from public
considerations the mistaken policy which
has involved his own i'll treatment and the
injury Of American interests in Hawaii, but
be has little reason to regret it on his own
account. The American nation at large
appreciates his wise, discreet aud truly
American conduct.