The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-18

CLAIMED the Provisional Government from
the steps of the Government building
And finally, but for the lawless occupation
OF Honolulu under false pretexts by the
United States forces and but for Minister
Stevens, recognition of the Provisional Gov
ernment when the United States forces We're
its sole support and constituted its only
military strength, the Queen and her gov
ernment would never have yielded to the
Provisional Government, even for time,
and for the sole purpose of submitting her
case TO the enlightened justice of the United
States
NO ANNEXATION.
Believing therefore, that the United
States could not under the circumstances dis
closed, annex the islands without justly in
curing the irnputation of acquiring them by
unJustlfiable methods, | shall not again sub
NIT the treaty of annexation to the Senate
for its consideration, and in the Instructions
TO M1nlsterWillis, a copy of which accompan-
les 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 con-
summate this questionable transaction. 1t
has been the boast of our Government that
1t seeks to :. do justice in all
things without regard to the strength
or weakness of those with whom it deals.
mistake the American people if they favor
the odious doctrine that there is no such
uAA1lis5 eto UuSI6 Is
one law for the strong nation and another for
weak one, and that even by indication
strong power may with impunity despoil
weak one of the territory
SUBSTANTIAL WRONG DONE.
by an act of war, committed with the
participation of a diplomatic representative
OF the United States and without authority
of Congress, the government of a feeble but
friendly and confiding people has
been overthrown. A substantial wrong
has thus been done which due regard
for our national character as well as the
rights of the injured people requires we
should endeavor to repair. The Pro-
y1slonal Government has not assumed re-
publican or other constitutional form,
but has remained mere executive coun-
ell or oilgarehy, set up without the assent
OF the people. 1t has not sought to find
a permanent basis of popular support and
has given no evidence of an intention to do
So Indeed, the representatives of that gov
ernment assert that the people of Hawaii are
unit for popular government and frankly
admit now that they can be best ruled by ar
bitrary or despotic power
The law of nations is founded upon reason
and Justice, and the rules of conduct govern
ing individual relations between citizens or
subjects of a civilized state are equally ap-
plicable as between enlightened nations
The consideration that international
law is without court for its
enforcement, and that obedience to
its commands practically depends upon
good faith, instead of upon the mandate of a
superior tribunal, only give additional
sanction to the law itself and brand any
deliberate infraction of it not merely as a
wrong. but as disgrace. A man of
word which binds his co conscience nee more more
scrupulously, if possible, than he does the
bond, breach of which subjects him to
legal liabilities; and the United States, in
aiming to maintain itself as one of the most
enlightened of nations, would do its citizens
gross injustice if it applied to its interna-
tlonal relations any other than high stand
ard of honor and morality
MUST BE RIGHTED.
On that ground the United States cannot
properly be put in the position of counten-
ancing wrong after its commission any
more than in that of consenting to it in ad-
vance. On that ground it cannot allow it
self to refuse to redress an injury inflicted
through an abuse of power by officers
clothed with its authority and wearing
its,uniform; and, on the same ground, if a
feeble but friendly State is in danger Of be-
ing robbed of its independence and its SOW
ereignty by misuse of the name and power
of the United States, the United States can
not fail to vindicate its honor and its sense
of justice by an earnest effort to make all
possible reparation.
These principles apply to the present case
with irresistible force when the special CON
ditions of the Queens surrender of her sover-
eighty are recalled. She surrendered not
to the Provisional Government but
to the United States. She surren-
dered not absolutely and perna-
antly, but temporarily and conditionally un-
til such time as the facts could be considered
by the United States. Furthermore the
Provisional Government acquiesced in her
surrender in that manner and on those
terms, not only by tacit consent.
but through the positive acts
of some members of that government
who urged her peaceable submission, not
merely to avoid bloodshed, but because she
could place implicit reliance upon the Justice
of the United States, and that the whole
subject would be finally considered at Wash
ington.
PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT HOPED.
I have not, however, overlooked an Incl
dent of this unfortunate affair which remains
to be mentioned. The members of the Pro-
visional Government and their supporters
though not entitled to extreme sympathy
have been led to their present predicameIt
of revolt against the Government of the
Queen by the indefensible encouragement
and assistance of our diplomatic representa-
tive. This fact may entitle them to claim
that in our effort to rectify the wrong COM
mitted some regard should be had for
uHSu Se1Ieby. LIS SouUlIu9llU is strongly
seconded by my anxiety to do, nothing
which would invite either harsh retaliation
on the part of the Queen or violence and
bloodShed in any quarter. In the belief that
the Queen, as well as her enemies, would
be willing to adopt such a course as
would meet these conditions, and in
view of the fact that both the Queen and the
Provisional Government had at one time ap-
parently acquiesced in reference of the en-
tire case to the United States Government,
and considering the further fact that,
in any event, the Provisional Govern
ment, by its own declared limitation, was
only 'sTo exist until terms of union with the
United States of America have been nego-
tiated and agreed upon" hoped that after
the assurance to the members of that govern
ment that such union could not be consum-
mated might compass a peaceful adjust
ment of the difficulty.
GENERAL AMNESTY.
Actuated by these desires and purposes,
and not unmindful of the inherent perplex-
tiles of the situation nor of the limitations
upon my power, instructed Minister Willis
to advise the Queen and her supporters of
my desire to aid in the restoration
of the status existing before the
lawiess landing of the United States forces
at Honolulu on the 10Th of January last, if
such restoration could be effected upon
terms providing for clemency as well as Jus
tice to all parties concerned The condi-
tions suggested, as the instruments show,
contemplate a general amnesty to
those concerned in settling up
the Provisional Government, and recog-
milton of all its bona fide acts and obliga-
tions. In short, they require that the past