The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-06
sx1rrIE. wrDxxsDAr. Dxc. q
a REVIEW or THE AWAIIAN
aITgATlUy.

~
SITUATION.
The president In his message hss clearly
announced his purpose regarding fhe
Hawaiisn situation. and the more ons
considers the remarkable position that
he has assumed, the more strange does u
seem that he shoODd have allowed himself
to make 30 fatal a biandef-
President Cleveland. without the au-
ihorization Of congress, cannot commit an
act OF war against q government. no mat
ter how established. which has been form
ally recognized by the United States and
by other foreign powers. Mr. Cleveland
cannot constirusionaliy withdraw the rec
ignition given by Mr.. Harrison and 70
peasedIy affirmed by himself. and upset
by force the government of Ibis great and
good friend" President Dole. to whom
he ha. sent an accredited minister.
For the United States to ATTEMPT
u overthrow friendly government
which they and other powers have repeat
edy recognized is an act Of war 70 which
the previous sanction Of congress Ii indis-
pensable. This would be sound view II
Blount's report contained nothing but the
truth, while, as q matter Of fact. IL is
clsariy an e1 parte plea
The facts seem TO be that the queen
plotted for the overthrow Of the Hawaiian
constitutions of 1887. The dominant forces
Of civilization on the islands resisted this
act, overthSsw the monarchy and sssab-
lished provisional government. This
provisional government was welcomed by
President Harrison and recognized by
President Cleveland. President Cleveland.
without taking counsel With congress and
in defiance of American public opinion,
has decided that this government must be
overthrow and monarchy that fell as
result of its plot against the constitution
OF 1887 restored. The monarchy fell by
the same dominant forces Of civilization
that extorted from the king the coDstitu-
ton of 1887 and stamped out the royalist
plot of 1850.
President Cleveland proposes TO use the
power of this government TO crush out a
republic founded upon . revolt against
monarchicai aggression. The American
congress has question of grave constitu-
tionai importance presented before 1t. that
is, whether the executive branch of this
government has any right to interfere for
the purpose of restoring monarchy. As
We have repeatedly stated. there is no con-
stitutionai authority or excuse for the
exercise by she executive department Of
its powers in favor OF deposed monarch.
The New York Tribune says:
IF the American minister at Honolulu
contents himself with representing to
President Dole the view Of Mr.. Cleveland,
he and the authority he speaks for are
within their rights, and il viii. be for Mr..
Dole TO consider whether he pleases to
receive that sort of message or To send its
bearer home. But II Mr.. Willis goes one
step further. If he does anything that in
flicts blow upon the government to which
he - accredited. 10 IL an act of war; and il
will raise question here that will eclipse
all others.
The argument of President Cleveland
based on the er parte report OF Blouut. Is
that a wrongful act was committed In
establishing the present Hawaiian govern
mcnt; that 60 this wrong the United States
was a party. aud that consequently IL is
the duty of The United States TO redress
the wrong by restoring the deposed queen.
The tiaw in this argument is that the con-
stisusiou has not made tho president the
sole judge in the premises, but that the
duty of the United States must be declared
by congress before IL Is discharged by the
executive. II is for congress and not for
tho president 10 decide first whether a
wrongful act has been committed and
secondly whether that assumed wrongful
act should now be recognized by an act OF
war against thc present Hawaiian govern.
mene We recognized tho republic oI
Texas several years before she became q
state of this Union. and our recognition
secured the recognition of other foreign
powers, and in the capacity Of an independ.
ent state Texas had made treaties aud Dor
rowed money. 50 our recognition OF the
provisional government Of Hawaii secured
recognition from other foreign powers.
The l1gu1sl act Of recognition of govern
meat il not an act with which the United
States or any other power IL at liberty "a
play fast and loose. and congress will sc
decide.
Ia his letter Of instructions Ia Commits
sioneT Blount Secretary Gresham tells him
that he must abstain from any name;
OF interference with the domestic Affairs o.
the islands" The United States" said
Gresham 20 Blouni. claims no rlghs q
interfere in the political or domestic affairs
or In the internal conflicts of the Ha.
waIian islands. othersise than a. herein
stated. that is. for the protection of the
lives and property of American citizens
''or tos the purpose Of maintaining any
treaty or other rights which they tth
Uastsd Stssesl possesses" Ii this ee true.
how can the Ual.si States restore the de-
posed queen. whose restoration would GER
tsinly he question entirely political and
domessic, aud the struggle between ths
roysllsss and the provisional government
would certainly be IAN internal conflict e.
II ex-MlnlsteE Stevens alleged act was
unlawful Il aoula ceyiaialy I've unlawful q
repeat Il. Secretary Greshsu has an
Sssred his own eoaandTsm when he ssys:
The United States clalm no RICH, IL ia.
tsrisfe in the political or domestic asagss,