The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-05-23
FAREWELL OF STEVENS.
Last Call of the Retired Minister at
the Foreign Office.

called United States Minister, Hon.
John l.. Stevens, to the Provisional
Government and the reply of Presi-
dent Dole, ON the occasion of Mr..
Stevens farewell visit to the Foreign
Office. Besides members of the
Government and military officers,
the Judges of the Supreme and Cir
cult Courts were in attendance. Mr..
Stevens addressed the Government
as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT: Having
resigned my position as Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Plcnipo-
tentiary of the United States in Ho-
nolulu, and my successor having
been appointed and taken the oath
of Office, it remains only to me to
make the customary last call on the
Hawaiian Government. Coming
here nearly four years since, l have
taken lively interest in the people,
and in whatever pertains to the wei
fare of these islands. l have sought
to perform my duty with fidelity to
the United States and to Hawaii, al
ways clearly seeing how completely
common are the interests of the
great American nation and of these
islands. | have witnessed the trials
of the Hawaiian people and their
efforts for good government against
opposing obstacles. An impartial
review of the facts brings me to the
firm conclusion that your recent
governmental change is a great
step forward, impelled by logical
and irresistible causes, and which
cannot fail to have large and benei-
cent results to these islands.
Living, as we do, at time when
light from many sources is being
thrown on the problems of govern
ment, there are strong indications
that the wise and patriotic reforms
now being made in your country are
not to go backward. Your cause and
your situation are being carefully and
extensively studied and understood
outside of these islands. Before
public opinion, the sovereign ruler
of the United States, your cause is
being duly considered, and the ul-
innate success of your hopes, l be-
lieve, will be attained. This is an
age when peoples of common inter
ests and of like sympathies are unit
ing under the same flag and under
the same laws, and it is in vain that
men attempt to resist the logic of
civilization and the ways of Provi-
dence, and there are no good reasons
to think that these islands are out
side of the laws Of scientific and
christian progress.
Sincerely thanking the Provisional
government and the citizens of Ha-
wall for their numerous manifesto,
tions of kindness and goodwill tC
myself and family, which we shall
keep always warmly in memory,
give you my sincere goodbye.
President Dole made the follow
ing reply:
My DEAR Mr.. STEVENS: The period
of your diplomatic service in Homo
lulu has been one of unusual politi
cal unrest i'll our community. YOU
have witnessed part of our strug
gle for constitutional representative
government with, we believe, the
sympathy of an American citizen
|
for studying our situation and un
derstanding the difficulties of gov
ernment in society made up of {
number of diverse races, with large
aggregate percentage of ignorance
and without the political training OF
the part of a majority Of the voter:
afforded by the town-meeting OF
any similar system. You have beer
present through the important
events of the past few months
which have resulted in the abroga
ton of the monarchy and the insti
tuition of the existing government
devoted to the maintenance of law
and order and the administration o.
affairs on economical business prin
ciples, and the attainment of politi
cal union with the great people
which you have so worthily repre-
sented here.
We thank you for your kind words
of encouragement, believing thai
they come from a friendly sympathy
with this country in its political diff
ficulties, and are based upon wis.
judgment which is the fruit of ex
tended experience and observation
We are assured that our people
are fast coming to understand ant
! appreciate a government which eX
lists rather for the privileges and op
!, portunities of the many than of th'
+ few, and whose hope of a prosperou
e and stable future is rather in tn,
r home than the palace. And we hav,
: faith also that the great American
r nation, before whose court of publ,
Il opinion our case is now on trial, vii
e come SO fully to understand ou
! situation that it will not hesitate t,
S extend across the ocean its might,
e right hand of welcome to its foste
& child.
t We regret, Mr.. Stevens, the sever
n ance of your relations with thi
u country which have been so full O
o sympathy with the cause of repre-
u sentative government here, and soci
IL ally so pleasant TO our community.
Be assured that the best wishes O
the members of this government fo
a happy and prosperous future wi
follow you on your journey to you
own home.
v We wish you a very hearty gooc
:, bye.