Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-11-15
BLOUNT'S FOLLY.
Nothing But a Willing Tool Of
the Willy Royalists.
Sought Not for the Truth Of the
Situation at Hawaii.


WAssISsroN, Nov. 1.-THE more ths
fscts in connection with the extraordinary
and infamous proposition Of Secretsr,
Gresham 10 restore to the throne Of HAws Al
the immoral and discredised Queen Liliuo
kalani, become known, the greater grows
the indignation among the representative
Of all political parties. Democratic con
sressmen and senators nov in the city are
as oatspoken az the Republicans in CON
demning this course of action.
As the truth regarding Bloun,'s mission
TO Honolulu appears, the more evident i,
becomes ths. he Vas from first to last, the
only 100 willing tool of the Royalists in o
whose net be fell. Going to the islands
with preconeeived prejudiees against the
provisional government, he was in an atii-
tude to lend IN only too willing ear to the
falsehoods. written and spoken. which were
told him BY the agents Of the lottery gang,
the advocates of the opium bill, Clans
Spreckles. the various tools whom he EN-
ployed to work upon Mr.. Blount, the Queen
and her representatives..
Whether Col. Blount was honest in his
desire to ascertain the truth or not, the fact
is becoming very clearly apparent that he
either did not succeed in securing ii, or
else has wilfully suppressed it. Absolutely
inc xperieneed 10 diplomatic usage, his
career in Honolulu was one series of blum
iers. He held himself aloof from the pro-
visionsl government aud its friends, repre-
senting the intelligence, the Christian ci'i
lization the education and seven -eighths of
the property holders of the islands. and was
content to take ss gospel facts all tina, wa.
told him by the Royalist Who surrounded
him with network of intrigue, into which
he fell too willing victim.
The attitude of Colonel Blount toward
the friends of the provisional government is
admirably stated by Hawsiisn Consult Gen
eral Wilder of San Francisco. He says
that Commi .sioner Blouni went out 10 1a.
wsii With preconceived Royalist prejudices
and took care to maintAin them.
,Biount," he said, fell in with the Roy
alis,s, many of whom were of Objectionable
character. The Americans consequently
dill not call on him. He complsined snd
plain facts. offered to bring five of the
wealthiest and most esteemed citizens Of
the islands before him, that he might hear
both sides Of the question.
He curtly said that l,e did not seek my
advice and would use his own judgment as
10 whom he should summon. lie cross.
examined me at some length, but would not
hear full statement. lie asked such
questions as he saw fit. If CHANGED to
volunteer any Information he would repri-
mand me sharply, as though Le were .
Judge. and tell me to contine my answer
to bis questions"
As the facts are brought out, there will
doubtless be II vast amount Of testimony in
the same line. Blount was from the first
the too credalous victim of the Royalists
with whom he consorted. and who tattered
his vanity at the same time they filled his
ears with falseh0ods. All this is becoming
more and more evident and will, unque.
fionably, be very clearly brought out in the
investigation of his work that will certainl,
be ordered by Congress when it convenes
in December.
Senator Morgan, one of the sblest Demo :
cratic senators of long experience in for
eign affairs, says; 1.-The United STATE =
troops were withdrawn by the last admins
trstion from Hawaii and the provisional
government was left in full, peaceful pos
session to stand on its own legs unaided OF
fall from weakness. 1t has proved strong
enough to stand. To interfere now and re-
instate the Queen would, under The circum-
ftsnces, be simply the re-establishment OF
monarchy, without excuse. 1t would be
wan,on abuse of power by the United
States"
So far as heard from this expression OF
opinion by Senator Morgan represents the
views very generally entertained by South.
ern members of Congress.