The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-23
Minister Blount and What He Has
DOne.

Minister Blount and What He Hss
Done.
The report IL current that Minister
F,1ouNr has resigned his Office. and lie
waiting and wanting to come homo. The
truth OF the story has not been acknowl'
edged by the State Department. but 1t lie
confirmed by this despatch from Washing
ton to the Hon. HoKE SMITHS newspaper
in Atlanta:
"As wired the Jovrrn' two wsets sRo. Mr..
a,oprr IN TO return lust the President has
accepted his resignation Secretary ssirH In rsoeipt
Of personai letter from Minister BLouNr urging that
the President accept his resignation " soon A. possible
and AZ soon as suitable successor can DO found he
viii be relieved.
1T is surprising how much misinformation mas osen
prfnted about Btorrr and his mission to Honolulu
have from positive source that his acts ana letters
from Hawaii met with the hearty endorsements OF
the President and his Cabinet. His services, when
fully known will entitio him to the praise OF the whole
country lie has made most admirable ofioiaL,
-ts all balderdash about BLouSr being recalled He
only accepted the position At the urgent request OF tho
Pre.,dent lie was selected for this most important
m,sson because It desired to get rid OF STEVENS At
once BLouSr only accepted on the distinct under
standing that he was remain but a short while lie
has accomplished hs mission and now there are p@Ans
from those no know what he has accomplished
.PRocroR Ksorr Ia spoken Of As his successor"
It will he time for the pRans to arise
when the knowledge OF what Mr.. BLoUNT
has accomplished in Hawaii is no longer
the exclusive property OF the Hon. HoKE
SMITH and few other gentlemen.
As Paramount Commissioner. MIR. BLoUNT
terminated the irregular and informal pro-
tectorate established on his own RESPONSE
bility by Minister STEVENS during the crisis
OF last January. The raising OF the Ameri-
can flag over the Government House at
Honolulu had already been disavowed
by Gen. HARRIsoNs Administration. The
logic OF the situation and the proprie-
ties of international intercourse required
that tho flag should come down. MIR.
BLouNT performed this somewhat distaste-
full, II highly necessary act with dignity and
frmness. Republican partisanship has en-
deavored to fasten odium upon him for
hauling down tho flag. as If there were
something ignoble. disgraceful. and unpa-
triotic in that performance. 1t was no more
unpatriotic or cowardly to lower the flag
than 1t was to send the Boston's marines
back to the ship when their presence on
shore was no longer required.
But II it was Mr.. BLoUNTs duty to ter
inmate one form of an American protecto-
rate in Hawaii. it was his privilege to be the
protectorate OF much more important and
significant character. This he did when he
substantially announced to the Provisional
Government that the United States would
permit no foreign power to interfere in Ha-
waiian affairs. AS long as that is the policy
Of our Government, the ultimate destiny Of
Hawaii Is assured.
Beyond this. the only thing positively
Vn-ptr Cell
ment OF his mission is that he has not en-
ploycd the power and influence OF the
United States to assist the dethroned Queen
In reGstablishing the monarchy. Many
people. here and in the islands, were SO
sure that Mr.. CLEVELAND had determined
upon course OF action adverse to Ameri-
can interests and fatal to annexation. that
they expected Mr.. BLoUNT to lend his arm to
LILIUoKALANI and to escort her back to tho
throne. in the name Of the great American
republic. The sun has steadily advised
everybody to reserve his conclusions re-
specting Mr.. CLEvELAND's intentions until
such time as this act OF consummate folly
should be committed; and. happily. that
time has not arrived.
So far as the public knows. the way to
annexation is just as clear to-day rs it was
when Mr. BLOUNT went out to Honolulu.
No evidence has yet appeared that tho
Presidents personal views regarding the
matter present any obstacle to the union Of
the two countries. Certain difficulties have
been removed by time. The Provisional
Government has grown stronger instead OF
tumbling to pieces. Its good faith and It's
stability have been demonstrated. The sus-
picion that the demand for annexation was
mercenary project is no longer entertained
in any quarter. SPRECKELs's mortgage on
the Hawaiian Government has been paid Off
easily and without any fuss. and SPRECKELs
eliminated as factor In the problem. Tho
possibility of a restoration OF the Queen has
dwindled until it practically amounts to
nothing. The sentiment in favor Of union
with tho United States has steadily grown
In the islands. among all classes OF tho
population. More than was the case six
months ago. Hawaii looks to this country
as the hope Of her future and the arbiter OF
her destiny.
But 1t will be time to send up peans Of
praise and gratitude over Minister BLoUNT's
achievements in Hawaii when we know tho
substance OF his report TO the President.
and when tho renewal OF the Provisional
Governments negotiations Mt Washington
compels Mr.. CLEvELAND's Administration
to disclose its conclusions and its purpose.
The Fur Seals VIII BE Protected.