The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-19

that In this cuRs.aacs u became kSs
United States s.so beware OF 100 cary
movement. - IL might snbiecs "a hcs-
ever urinstiy. to the inpatation OF seek
Ing 70 establish the claim o. our neighbour
TO territory with = view 70 as subsequent
acquisition by ourselves" Tbs - N
marked contrast with the has.y recogni-
ton Of . government openly ana con-
cededfy set up for the purpose OF tender.
ing il 70 the United States for territorial
annexation.
/ believe . candid. thorough examina-
ton Of the facts will force the conviction
that the provisional government owes its
existence 70 armed invasion oy TIE United
States. FAir-minGed people with the evil
deace before them will hardly claim that
the Hawaiian governm was overtime wn
by the people of the islands or that the
provisional government ever existed With
their consent. I do not understand that
any member o. this government claims the
people would uphoid il by their surrages
If allowed 70 vote on the question. While
naturally sympSthixing With every effort
to establish . republican form Of govern
menf, IL is she settled policy of the United
States to concede TO the people OF foreign
countries the same freedom and independ-
encs in the MANAGEMENT OF their domestic
affairs that We have always claimed for
ourselves. and is has been our practice 20
recognize revolutionary governments as
soon as il became apparent that they were
supported py the people. For illustration
OF this rule need only refer TO the reyoiu-
ton in Brazil in 1859 when our minister
wss instructed 10 recognize the republic SO
soon as the majority OF the people OF
Brazil should have signified assent to its
establishment and maintenance: to the
revolution in Chile in 1891. when our min
lister was disposed to recognize the new
government If it was accepted oy the
people. and to the revolution IN tenezuela
In le9e, when our recognition was accorded
on condition that the new government
was "fully established in possession OF the
power Of the nation and accepted by the
people"
As I apprehend the situation, We are
brought face TO face with the following
conditions: The lawful governm ent of
Hawaii was overthrow without dra wing
sword or firing shot, by process,
every step of which il may safely be as
serted was directly traceabie and depend.
emit fo- its success upon the agency OF the
United States government, through its
diplomatic and naval representatives. But
for the notorious predictions of tho
United States minister for annexation the
committee of safety, which should be
called .'the committee of annexation"
would never hare existed. But for the
landing of the United States forces upon
life and property the committee would
never have exposed themselves TO the
pains and penalties of treason by under
taking the snbversion of the queens gov
eminent. But for the presence of
o United States force in the i'm
mediate vicinity and in position
to afford all needed protection
have proclaimed the provisional govern
ment from the steps OF the government
buildings, and. finally, but for the lawiess
occupation OF Honolulu under a false pre-
text by the United States forces, aud but
for Minister Stevens recognition of the
provisional government when United
States forces were its sole support and
constituted its only military strength. the
queen and her government would never
have yielded TO the provisional govern
ment. even for q time, aud for the sole
purpose of submitting her case to the en-
lghieued justice of the United States, be-
lieying that the United States could not
under the circumstances disclosed annex
these islands without justly mourning the
OF acquiring them by unjusti-
table methods.
shall not again submit the treaty Of
annexation to the senate for its considers
ton. and in the Instructions to Minister
Willis, q copy of which accompanies this
message, have directed him TO so inform
the provisional government, but in the
present instance our duty does not. in my
opinion, end with refusing to consummate
this questionable transaction. 1t has been
the boast of our government that it aims
to do justice in ali things, without regard
to the strength OF weakness of those with
W hom IL deals. ( mistake the American
people If they favor the odious doctrine
that there is no such thing as interna-
tional morality; that there Is one law for Q
49, - a q.
and that even by indirection the strong
power may with impunity despoil the
weak one of its territory. By an &C. of
war committed with the participation of
diplomatic representative of the United
States and without the authority of con-
gress the governmental feeble but friendly
and contiding people has been overthrown.
which due regard for our national charac-
ter as well as the rights of the injured peo-
pie requires that We should endeavor to
repair. The provisional government has
not assumed a republican or other consti-
tutionsl form, but has remained a mere
executive council or oligsrchy. set up
without the assent of the people. Ii has
not seen mt TO lind permanent basis of
popular support, and has given no evil
denec of an intention to do so. Indeed,
the representatives of that government as
sert that the people of Hawaii ars unit for
popular government, and frankly ayow
that they can best be ruled By arbitrary
Or despotic power. The law OF nations,
upon reason and justice and the
rules of conduct governing individual citi-
Eens or subjects OF civilized states. Is
equally applicable as between enlightened
nations. The considerations that interna-
Iionai law is without q court for its en-
forcemen., and that obedience to its COM
nands practically depends upon good
Iaith instead OF upon the man
late OF superior tribunal, only
aw itself and brand any deliberate infrac-
.ion of it not merely AN wrong but a.
disgrace A man of true honor protects
he unwritten word which binds his con-
science more scrupuIousiy, II possible,
han he does hts bond. = breach OF which
'ubiects him TO legal liabilities. The
nIted States, claiming TO maintain itself |
Is one OF the most enlightened nations,
y ould do its citizens gross injustice If IL |
applied TO its International relations any |
'ther than high standard OF honor and |
morality. On that ground the United /
states cannot properly be put In the posi- |
Ion OF eountenEncing wrong after lis /
any more than IN that of con- /
enting to IL in advance. On that ground |
cannot allow itself TO refuse redress for /
Bjavv inflicted through the abuse of It's /
lower by officers clothed with its author !
~ and wearing It's uniform; and on the |
anne ground, ii . feeble but friendly state /
; IN danger OF being robbed OF /
Is independence and lis SOW /
reignty by misuse Of power, /
he United States cannot fail to /
It's honor aud its sense of JUS
ics by an earnest effort TO make all posi-
lie reparsilon. These principles apply 20
he present cause with irresistible force
= hen the special conditions OF the queens
urrender of her sovereignty are recalled. /