New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-22
THE UNDERLYING MOTIVE.

THE UNDERLYING MOUTE.
The intelligent reader of history does not con-
tent himself with its surface. He knows that.
however plausible may be the Interpretation OF
the course and meaning Of events which pre-
sents itself with apparent fulness and fairness
on the public record and the printed page. the
real meaning lies deeper; the secret springs OF
motive are out of sight. hidden in personal rela-
lions and among influences that may be suspect
cd or guessed at. but do not visibly appear.
Any judgment of current or past history mat
does not take the unwrtten personal equanon
largely into account is faulty and weak. Hence
the tr,Iism that the best history Is biography.
TO any one who does not understand the per-
sonal relations Of the actors In the Hawaiian
affair the whole business seems unaccountable.
There was something Of mystery in the sud
dcnness with which Immediately on the acccs-
sion of the Cleveland Administration an agent
of the Government with secret instructions, and
as afterward appeared. with unusual powers,
was hurried off TO Honolulu TO investigate no.
body knew what or with what Interior purpose.
There was IN obvious implication III the action
that the new Administration was not III sym
pathy with the policy OF its predecessor ana
that this was the first step toward making II
an issue BY finding some prctext for reversing
IL. The proceeding was unusual the APP
parent ultimate design so contrary to the trad
lions Of the Democratic party which have been
handed down from Jefferson. and 1t was so
yelled in secrecy and shrouded in mystery that
it took the country by surprise No one outside
the inner Administration circle pretended to
understand IT,
Whoever reads with care the report made by
this special agent just published when u
understood TO be the basis for some iurthcr
action on the part Of our Government moi YET
made public but held back with continuing
mystery. cannot fail 10 be struck by the fact
that il is saturated with the evidences of pre-
conceived Judgment Of facts and rank deter
mination to make out case against the A"in'h-
istration Of President Harrison and me action
of Minister Stevens. This purpose stands OUT
with startling distinctness in every llne oil me
report. There is hardly the prctencc OF any
thing like judicial impartinlity in the entire
document: hardly word that does not disclose
n hostile motive and Il fixed determination 10
make the facts fit n theory already adopted I"
aid in carving out "A deliberate and carefully
arranged design So full Of The spirit OF his
mission and the aninins Of his employers was
this special agent that h. did not attcmpi even
10 veil his purpose in the ordinary dcccncieS Of
diplopatic language and official intercourse
To smirch the character OF the American MIN
lister he did not hesitate TO inpnle dlshonorsof
motives TO that gcutleman's offers oi hospitality
and exercise Of the ordinary coirtesieS of ON
cIal life TO impcach the honesty and honor OF
the Harrison Administration h. nvailed MN
self Of all means and every opportunity supp"
mcnting omen accusation with has" hSih'IH-
ton. and acting on all occasions The part 81
paid pettifogging attorney
The motive for all this does moi lie upon Inc
surface fl Is found deeper. In this. IL IN
great many other things. the unwritt-n personal
factor is potential II is easily stated. Inc
preseut Secretary Of state has been for many
years a personal enemy OF cS.Prcsiden' liar'
rison as he was also OF the late Secrc'ai!
Blaine II has not been an ordinary difference
or dislike growing out of political rivalry. bull
ms Is well known in Indiana and al Washing
ton. bitter. vindictlvc. personal hatred. pas
sonate. binding. absorbing. Minister stevens
was an intimate personal friend Of Mr. Blame.
lie was an appointee Of President Harrison.
The policy he pursued In Hawaii was approved
by the Harrison Administration. Whatever OF
success attended II that Administration would
receive credit for If ii could be- brought INTO
disrcputc that Administration would suffer III"
disgrace More need not be said To explain The
Hawaiian situation as 1t now stands II u not
so necessary to know all the circumstances as
TO know the men who are dealing with them.
There's gentleman in the State Department AT
Washington who can trlithfully paraphrase
Louis XIvth and say, :" am the ilawai'an
situotiou "