St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-20
MIGHT OR RIGHT

and aGtl-adminiStratiOn parties was
promptly made up on the conclusion OF
the reading Of the presidents Hawaiian
message in the house Monday. Mr..
Boutelle, the chosen champion of ex-
Minister Stevens, offered a resolution
condemning the presidents course as
contrary to the policy and traditions
of the republic and the letter and
spirit of the constitution and can
not be too promptly OR emphat-
ically reprobated." Mr.. Cochran re
sponded with spirit in another resolu-
ton arraigning the Harrison administra-
ton for its efforts ''to effect a change in
the territorial limits of the United States
without any consultation with the house
of representatives and without making
any stipulation or provision for obtain
ing the consent of the house." Each
proposition involves an issue of fact,
and arrays the partisans of the two poll
cieS in distinct hostile camps. The
adoption of the Boutelle resolution will
be positive condemnation of the course
of President Cleveland; the adoption of
that offered by Mr.. Cochran Will be as
emphatic a censure of the Harrison
plan.
1t is well that the opposing forces
should be SO definitely placed, for the
result OF the vote will inform the coun-
try in an unequiyocal manner of the pre-
else standing of congress in this matter.
1t will be known if a diplomatic repre-
sentative of the United States shall be
sustained if he conspIres to overthrow
the government to which he has been
accredited, and uSurps the prerogatives
Of the congress and president by COM
hitting an act that is equivalent to
declaration of war.
1t is perhaps unfortunate for Presi-
dent Cleveland that so much delay has
occurred in the publication of all the
facts bearing upon the case, for their
absence has given rise to much dissat-
isfaction, confusion and misapprehen-
sion in the public mind, and In the
minds of the members of congress. as to
the real status of affairs, and the mo-
tiveS and facts that prompted to the
course ultimately adopted. But the eX-
position given in the presidents mes
sage is so clear, and the proofs con-
tanned In the accompanying documents
are so convincing, that there need be
little difficulty in arriving at a just con-
clusion. The issue is simply one be-
tween might and right. We had the
undoubted power to annex the Hawaiian
islands to the United States, or to estab-
lish protectorate there that would ul-
timately lead to annexation; but our
government, through President Cleve-
land. has elected that it will do neither,
but stand upon the broad platform Of
right and Justice, regardless of the ad-
vantages that might accrue from eX-
tending our territorial lines, regardless
of the public clamor for the extension
of our territory, Indifferent alike to
considerations of praise or censure.
The debate that will take place on
| these two conflicting resolutions prom
| Uses to be the most notable in our national
| history. 1t will doubtless result in the
authoritative enGnciation of foreign
policy that will hereafter control. IL
will define how far diplomatic repre-
| sentative may go in his schemes for the
| overthrow OF a friendly foreign govern
ment, and stipulate, so far as one con-
gress can stipulate, the course to be
! pursued by its successors.
The result is scarcely a matter of
| question. Those Democrats who have
been wavering in their allegiance to the
president will be convinced of his per-
sonal rectitude and patriotic impulse S
| by his clear and manly exposition of the
course pursued, and will rally to his
support to man. Net few Repub-
licans nave little sympathy for the jingo-
ism that underlies the whole conspiracy.
and, if they do not openly indorse. will
refrain from condemnIng the govern
mental policy.
| Whatever the result of the coming
debate may be. there can be no doubt
that vast majority of the thinking peo-
pie of the United States will cordially
approve the stand taken by Mr.. Cleve-
land, and insist that it shall continue to
be 1.-THE boast of our government that it
seeks to do justice in all things"