The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-02
Tho NordhoE Case In Hawaii.

The indignation OF tho members Of the
Mr.. CHARLES NoRDBoFF. the correspond
emit Of tho NeD York Herald IN Honolulu. 10
not without foundation. Mr.. NoRpHoFF
went out to make case against the Ha-
waiians. and In the line Of his preconceived
programme he has worked more diligently
than scrupulously. For this reason his
letters, purporting to describe tho true con-
dltion OF affairs in the islands. have failed
to influence or interest many minds not
previously prejudlced against the Idea Of
annexation.
We observe that In discussing the recent
attempt OF the Hawaiian Government to
hold Mr.. NoRDHoFF responsible for some
Of his more fragrant mlsstatements. and
his appeal to Mr.. BLouNT for such protec-
ton as paramount authority can extend.
the Heralds editorial view Of the affair Is
much distorted. That journal remarks:
"Ths HeraLrs special correspondent committed no
offence against the uaw allan Provisional mont
except feaessy giving to the world true news which
that Government wanted suppressed. The audaoious
action Of the provisional leaders was simply high.
banded attempt to silence the Herald correspondent in
keeping with their policy Of Rsgging the local prss
so-eailsd Government whose dongs will not bear the
light Of truth must indeed DO open to question"
The actual truth OF the matter Is. that
Mr.. NoRDHoFF was molested not for fear.
lessly proclaiming true news which the
Government wanted suppressed. but for
publishing in New York and Honolulu the
charge that o majority OF the members
Of the Hawaiian Advisory Counsel had
signed the lottery petitions In LILrUo-
KALANI's time. when In fact not one sim
gle member Of the present Council had
done so. Technically. Minister BLoUNT
may be entirely right in interposing for Mr..
NoRDHoFF's protection the precedent OF
the CUTTING case. but that international
question OF jurisdiction has nothing to do
with the moral and journalistic question Of
Mr.. NoRpHoFF's truthfulness and accuracy
as correspondent.
II the Herald had read carefully Mr..
NoRpHoFF's own despatch. printed In the
same number Us the buncombe editorial
article from which we have quoted the fore
going passage. it would not be talking
about any high-handed outrage upon cor
respondent whose only crime was fearless
ness In telling the truth. In fact, Mr.. NoRp-
HoHV has been compelled to retract publicly
in Hawaii tho statement regarded by the
VI LILO SOuuCu d6 uU0uOuSs no
now writes to the Herald as follows:
I'm speaking Of the Lottery bill remarked that |
eensidsrabs number Of persons now In employed |
By she Provisional had signed these pstt
tions that the passage Of the bill . profssssd
fer upssttnR the Government and the Qussn
This 10 true. but had the III luck name, among
number Of others. thrss-Msssrs Hoooa LAHsNo and
McCassSsy-who nov ssy they did not sign the petit
tena A. to all the there doubt. These three
complained to me. and at published apology
in abe local papera and express regret for being
missd to them also was mistaken in saying that
almost all Of the Provisona Assembly signed the pstt
tien. Only part did So"
This Is very mild and sdroit withdrawal !
of q conspicuously untruthful and ha9rantly
unjust accusation against the honor Of the |
men who have overthrown Q ridiculous
monarchy. and established d republican
form Of government In Hawaii. and who are
patriots In the Same sense as the leaders Of
DE revolutionary movement in America
nearly one hundred and twenty years ago.
But Mr.. NoRpHoFY's own confession, In the |
columns Of his own newspaper. Is SUI
fciently explicit to make the Heralfs edI-
torial article appear absurd. 1t likewise
proves that recklessness Is better word |
than fearlessness to use In describing his |
assertions concerning matters In Hawaii.