The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-11-18
Phe Hawaiian Matter.

lacts cOuceihiuS tut oNSieiio" VI s'iS
monarchy and the establishment Of pro-
visional government, composed entirely of
foreigners.
Secretary Gresham finds from Mr..
Blount's report that the overthrow Of the
monarchy was the result of conspiracy of
the American Minister, Mr.. Stevens, and
number of foreign residents of Honolulu,
including FIVE Americans. Believing a
wrong was committed upon friendly gov
ernment which this government had prom
ised to protect, and with which we had
most advantageous commercial treaties,
Mr.. Gresham recommended that the wrong
be righted and that Queen Liliuokalani be
restored to her throne.
1t wonld be well for the readers Of the
ADVOCATE to carefully peruse the article
on the fourth page, so as to understand
the Hawaiian matter, as 1t is, and will
continue to be, subject of discussion.
The President and Secretary Gresham have
already been severely criticised for con-
Guiding to restore the monarchy, though
it is belived that when Commissioner
Blounts report is made public it will APP
pear that the Administration has acted
rightly.
In view of the action of the Admins
tration it is well to state the position this
government has always held toward Ha-
waii-a position of non-interference int he
affairs Of that government and to permit no
interference on the part Of any other gov
ernment This government has repeatedly
declared, in the past fifty years, that it did
not covet annexation or control of the
Sandwich Islands, and as firmly stated that
no other nation should exercise control over
their government.
Mr.. Webster, Secretary of State, wrote
in 1912:
sThe United States have regarded the ex-
listing authorities in the Sandwich Islands as
Government suited to the condition of the
people, and resting on their own choice; and
The President is of opinion that the interests
of all commercial nations require that that
Government should not be interfered with by
foreign powers. OF the vessels which visit
the islands, it is known that the great major,
ity belong to the United States. The United
States, therefore, are more interested IN the
fate of the islands and of their Government
II. ta.a and
sideration induces the President to be quite
willing to declare, as the sense of the Gov
ernment of the United States, thai the Gov
eminent of the Sandwich Islands ought to be
respected; that no power ought either to take
nossession of the island as conquest or for
the purpose ofcoloniZation, and that no power
ought to seek for any undue control over the
existing Government, or any exclusive priv
ilepes or preferences with it in matters OF
commerce.
President Tyler, in his message to Con-
gress. in December, 1912, said
Considering, therefore, that the United
States possess so very large share in the
intercourse with those islands, it is deemed
not unfit TO make the declaration that their
Government seeks nevertheless, no peculiar
advantages, no exclusive control over the
Hawaiian Government, but is content with
its independent existence, and anXiously
wishes for its security and prosperity. Its
forbearance in this respect, under the circum-
stances of the very large intercourse which
American vessels have with the island, Eoqld
Justify this Government, should events here.
after arise to require it, in making decided
remonstrance against the adoption OF an OPP
posile policy by any other power
In 1850, Mr.. Clayton, Secretary of
State. wrote:
The Department will be slow TO believe
that the French have any intention TO adopt
with reference to the Sandwich Islands the
same policy which they have pursued IN re-
gard to Tahiti. II, however, in your jndg-
ment, it should be warranted by eircum-
stances, you may take proper opportunity
10 intimate to the minister for foreign affairs
of France, that the situation OF the Sandwich
Islands in respects to our possessions on the
Pacific, and the bonds, commercial and OF
other descriptions, between them and the
United States are such that we could never
with indifference allow them to pass under
the dominion or exclusive control of any other
mower. We do not ourselves eoVet sover-
eighty over them. We would be content that
they should remain under their present rulers,
who, we believe, are disposed 10 be just and
impartial in their dealings with all nations. "
In 1851, in his second annual message,
President Fillmore said
ssIt is earnestly to be hoped that the differ
ences which have for some time past been
pending between the Government OF the
French Republic and that of the Sandwich
Islands, may be peaceably and durably ad,
81 Il A.a,o f,F
those islands. Long before the events which
have Of late impaired so much importance to
the possessions of the United States on the
Pacific we acknowledged the independence of
the Hawaiian Government. This Govern
ment was iirst ip taking that step, and several
of the leading powers of Europe Immediately
followed. We were influenced in this meas
ure by the existing and prospective impor.
lance of the islands as place of refuge and
refreshment for our vessels engaged in the
whale fishery, and by the consideration that
they lie in the course of the great trade which
must, at no distant day, be carried on be
tween the western coast of North America
and Eastern Asia.
Mr.. Marcy, Secretary of State, in 1853,
wrote:
'sYou are, no doubt, aware that it has been
the constant desire OF this Government 10
cherish the kindest international relations
with the Sandwich Islands, and to assist them
by all the moral influence it could exert to sus
tain their independence. Happily the policy
of other Governments at present with respect
to them seems not TO be different from our
own. While we do not intend to attempt the
exercise of any exclusive control over them,
we are resolved that no other power or state
shall axact any political or commercial priv
ileees from them which we are not permitted
to enjoy, far less to establish any protectorate
over them
In 1855, Mr.. Marcy, wrote
'sThe United States would not regard with
unconcern an attempt on the part of any for
eign power, and especially any European
maritime power, to disturb the repose or in
terfere with the security of the Hawaiian
Islands.
In 1873, Hamilton Fish, Secretary Of
State, wrote
"The acquisition of territory beyond the