The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-11
The Administrations Motives in the
Hawaiian business.


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The Administra tion's Motives in the
Hawaiian business.
There IL no nccd Of saying harsh things
about Mr.. CLEyELAND's treatment OF
Bawaii's request TO come in under tho flag
Tho course pursued up to the present
time is Ineligible enough. II you look be-
hind the record and consider the Admins
tration's policy In the light OF some OF the
simplest laws OF human nature.
Mr.. CLEVELAND probably had no very
strong or definite opinion for or against the
acquisition OF Hawaii. when the question
thrust itself upon his attention ut the be-
ginning OF his term. His mind moves
slowly from indifference to intense convic-
ton on any subject. and the initial impetus
and the limo OF progress are often deter
mined very largely by accident. This may
be said without disrespect TO the President.
for 1t has been true Of other eminent and
useful statesmen.
Having devoted to the ubject OF American
expansion little or no thought previously.
Mr.. CLEVELAND would naturally regard
the Hawaiian question at first. when 1t was
suddenly and sharply presented to him.
from the point Of view OF personal and
political advantage. How would prompt
action favorable to the proposed treaty
affect his Administration?
10 q statesman OF Mr.. CLEvELAND's ga
Encity and clear perceptions In matters
affecting his personal status with the party
and the country. there would be only one
cnswer to this question. A prompt ratifi-
cation OF the treaty. an immediate opening
OF the gates to the insular applicant would
irure chiefly to tho credit and renown OF
his predecessor. and only IN a minor de-
gree to his own. While human nature is
what 1t is. GROVER CLEVELAND can hardly
he expected to take the hammer In hand
with engerness IN order to clinch the nail
already driven homo by BENJAMIN HARRI-
son. History would persist in regarding
the acquisition OF this valuable territory as
al achievement begun and practically COM
pleted under the HARRISON Administration.
Gen. HARRISoN's Democratic successor fig
uring merely in the details and concluding
formallties OF the enterprise.
Tho natural, IL not the inevitable ten
dency OF tho Presidents mind. therefore.
would be toward policy Of delay. With
out committing himself on the main ques-
tlon. his line OF action would be to separate
the Hawaiian negotiations as far as posi-
BILE from Republican Initiative by carrying
them further along into his own term. and
especially by persuading the country that
che methods and means adopted by the
preceding Administration we're overhasty,
unwise or wrongful. Even II there were no
doubt that the country would hail as q boon
the annexation of Hawaii. and hold to stern
account any Administration responsible for
the irremedable surrender Of great ma
tional opportunity. nothing would be lost
to Mr.. CLEVELAND by going slowly. His
policy OF delay. investigation. and deliber-
ate revision Of Republican methods. would
commend itself to that homely common
sense which holds that it is better to be
sure you are right before you go ahead.
that it is wise to look even q gift horse in
the mouth. and SO forth. AS long as the
FINAL result WAS satisfactory to the people.
the postponement would serve to enlarge
she credit due to tho present Admins
tration for its careful. judicious. and dis
passionate way Of handling business badly
bungled by its Republican predecessor.
It is quite conceivable. nay. highly prob
able that II the original offer OF the islands
to the American Government had reached
Washington after March 4. and in shape
1iCo iioih oily mall NO VI Cic putty VI lilo
preceding Administration. the opportunity
would have been quickly embraced. and the
affair long ago settled. No President 80
properly solicitous as Is Mr.. CLEVELAND
about his position in history. would have
neglected chance to distinguish his Adj
ministration by a measure of national ex-
pansion sure to figure forever in the record
OF brilliant achievements alongside Of the
Louisiana purchase. the admission OF Texas.
and the annexation Of Alaska. Laws and
tariff schedules are made and repealed. ad-
ministrative policies are for time only.
the glorious wounds Of war even are healed
and the scars disappear; but desirable ter
ritory honorably gained for the flag will
remain while the Government lasts. attest
ing the foresight and patriotism OF the
President who brought 1t in. and steadily
contributing Its share to the greatness and
prosperity OF the Union.
Unfortunately. we say. still considering
human nature as 1t is. In the White House
or elsewhere. the opportunity to acquire
Hawaii did not come In the first place to
the Hon. GROVER CLEVELAND. but as O sort
OF legacy from the Republican Administra-
ton preceding his own.
A Mohammedan Missionary.