The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-18
SEATTLE. MosDAr. DEc. ~.
PRECEDENT eJ.EyELAsD's BLUM
DER.


tator in the Hawaiian trouble. The mani
fes.o ISSUED through Willis 20 Hawaii on
the hssd Of the Hawaiian government by
the president OF the United States IL en-
tirely Inc xcusabIe. Mr.. Cleveland begins
his message With the assumption that his
Judgment is infalIible, and. regardless Of
international obligations, he accepts the
accusations Of Envoy Blount as the whole
truth. Mr.. Cleveland did not wait 10 con-
suit the sole depository Of the war-rnaking
power under our constitution, but as
sumed absolute control.
The most that Minister Willis could do
constitutionasiy without the previous au-
thorization Of congress would be TO offer
90 the members OF the Hawaiian govern
ment the friendly suggestion that they
should voluntarily renouncs their fune-
tions and with their own hands restore the
queen. II beyond this friendly suggestion
Minister Willis should attempt to in
timida.e the government which all other
nations have recognized, he would be COM
hitting an act Of war: and II the president
was the author Of such instructions he
would have broken his oath of Office.
II President Cleveland, moreover, has
even authorized his minister to advise the
present Hawaiian government to commit
suicide under the threat that in the event
of resistance or delay recourse might be
had to the naval power of the United
States. then Mr.. Cleveland has broken his
II .,.A q soH ,Fr
by assuming TO exercise the war making
power without previously gaining the au-
thority OF congress.
So far as Blount Is concerned his name
was never sent by the president TO the
senate for its consideration In connection
yised or consented to his appointment to
an Office. So far "a the statutes OF the
United States TO, he was a private citizen
when he was IN Hawaii. In his capacity
as private citizen under the law he en-
gagged IN correspondence with foreign
government which. in the opinion of some
OF the most eminent senators who have
been considering the subject. Is, within
the meaning OF the statutes, criminal"
IL Ii asserted that Mr.. Blount, not .hav-
ing been an officer known to the law, and
not having been confirmed by the senate
TO any diplomatic office. or TO an Office of
any sort, in his communication with the
Hawaiian government comes within the
definition and the penalties OF section
S.ss5. United States statutes. in the chap
ter on "Crime against the existence Of the
government"
lift takes the senate and the president
10 make a minister one of them cannot
make an official greater than the minister.
This paramount commissioner hauled
down the American flag and sent the ma
rines to their ships Then he reported 60
Mr. Cleveland that the revolutionis.s lad
succeeded in dethroning the queen be-
cause our minister had landed troops
ostensihly Ga protect American prop
eriy. but really TO give moral back
ing to the revolution, and on that report.
though denied by Mr. Stevens. by the
naval commander. by the Hawaiian gov
eminent and by ail other credible wit
nesses. Mr.. Cleveland decided that II was
cur interference beyond ell question "
which destroyed the monarchy. aud that,
60 prove that IL was wrong we must In ter.
fere again. Thereupoa he sent out an
other minister charged TO do second time
what he says IL was wrong and unlawful
20 do the first, and this minister. arriving
a. his post. discovers tina, he can not ie.
stroy the existing government and estah-
ish another in its stead without interior,
ing ''tn tho political or domestic affairs or
IN the internal conflicts 81 the Hawaiian
islands. which Mr.. Cleveland has charged
his predecessor "ths United Ststes claim
no right To do"
Minister Willis seems 10 he n sensible
man who got bewildered trying 20 lab.
s;ain from any manner Of interference.
with the domestic concerns of the islands
and a, the same time tear down their GOV.
eminent and force on them n deposed
queen. No wonder he halted. as a man O.
eommon sense, and sent 20 Washington
city Cor further instructions. Neverihe-
less Minister Willis is weak enough "a use
the language of dictator 90 the govern.
msnt Of Hawaii. language which in any
other government would have compelled
lin to apologize or take his passports and
leave the islands
/; is fortunate that the Powers now in
control Of the islands have the COURAGE o.
their convictions They sre no, ~ al in.
eiiaed 10 yield either 10 esiSlsry or threats.
because they realize that they have the
moral support ~ tho American people.
which in the end vii! overcome the hes
tility Of The president The United States
Is not in the business Of restoring aeposesl
queens, sha she president has nos the
poaes 10 50 .eta the business On hss osn
account.