The herald., 1893-12-19


OF feeble, but friendly and contiding
people, has been overthrown. A sub
stantial wrong has been done which due
regsrd for our national character. rs we'll
as the rights of the injured people,
requires that we should endeavor to
| repair.
THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
The provisional government has not
assumed a republican or other constitu-
tional form, but has remained mere
executive council or oligarchy, set up
without the assent of the people. 1t
has not seen fit to find the permanent
basis OF popular support, and has given
no evidence of an intention to do so.
Indeed, the representatives OF that
government assert that the people OF
Hawaii are unfit for popular govern
ment, and frankly avow that they can
best be ruled by arbitrary or despotic
power.
INTERNATIONAL MORALITY.
The law Of nations is founded upon
reason and justice, and the rules of con-
duct governing individual citizens or
subjects of civilized state are equally
applicable as between enlightened
nations. The consideration that inter-
national law is court for its enforce
ment, and that obedience to its COM
mand practically depends upon the
mandate of superior tribunal, only
give additional sanction to the law itself
and brand any deliberate infraction OF
it, not merely as wrong, but as
disgrace to a man OF true
honor, and protects the unwritten
word which binds his conscience, more
scrupulously, If possible, than does
bond the breach of which subjects him
to legal liabilities; and the United States
in aiming to maintain itself as one oil
the more enlightened nations, would do
its citizens gross injustice II 1t applied
to its international relations any other
than high standard OF honor and
morality.
REPARATIoN is IMPERATIVE.
On that ground the United States
cannot properly be put in the position
OF countenancing wrong after its COM
mission. any more than in that of con-
senting to it in advance. On that
ground it cannot allow iJself to refuse to
redress the injury inflicted, through the
abuse of power by its officers, clothing
with its authority and wearing its uni
form, and on the same ground If a feeble
but friendly state is in danger OF being
robbed CT the independence OF its sov-
ereignty by the misuse of power, the
United States cannot fail to vim
dicate its honor and its
sense of justice by an earnest effort to
make all possible reparation. These
principles apply to the present cause
with irresistible force when the special
conditiona OF the queens surrender of
her sovereignty are recalled. She sur
rendered not to the provisional govern
ment, but to the United States. sur
rendered not absolutely or permanently,
but temporarily and conditionally until
such time az the facts could be
considered by the United States.
Furthermore, the provisional govern
ment 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 the
government who urged her psaceabe
submission, nor merely to avoid blood
shed, but because she could place i'm
plicit reliance upon the justice OF the
United States and that the whole sub
ject would be finally considered at
Washington.
AMNESTY FOR THE REBELS,
l have not, however, overlooked an
incident OF this unfortunate affair which
remains to be mentioned. The men,
bers OF the provisional government and
their supporters, though not entitled to
extreme sympathy, have been led to the
present predicament OF revolt against
the government Of the queen, by the in
deiensibls encouragement and assistance
of oar diplomatic representative. This
fact may entitle them to the claim tnat
in every effort to rectify the wrong com
mitted some regard should be had for
their safety. This sentiment is strongly
seconded by my anxiety to do nothing
which would invits either harsh retalia-
ton 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 course as would meet those
conditions, and in view OF the fact that
both the queen and the provisional
government had at one time apparently
scuuiesced in reference OF the entire
case to the United States government,
and considering the farther fact that in
anv event the present government, by
"to exist until terms OF union with the
United States of America have been ne
gotiated and agreed upon" | hope that
after the assurance to the mem mbers of
that government that such union could
not be contaminated, might compass a
peaceful adjustment OF the difficulty.
Actuated by these desires and pur-
poses, and not unmindiul of the inher-
ent perplaxities of the situation, nor of
the limitations upon my power, in
structed Minister Willis to advise the
queen and her supporters Of my desire
TO aid in the restoration OF the status
existing before the lawlees landing Of
United States forces at Honolulu on the
10th OF January last, il such restoration
could be effected upon terms providing
for clemency as we'll as iurtice to all par
ties concerned.
The conditions suggested, as the lnet
instructions show, contemplate general
amnesty to those concerned in making
up the provisional government and the
recognition Of all it's bona fide acts and
obligations. In short, they require that
the past should be buried and the re-
stored government could resume it's
authority as if its continuity had not
been interrupted.
THE QUEEN DEMURRED.
These conditions have not proved ac-
ceptabls to the queen, and though she
has been informed they will be insisted
/ ,,rop and that unlpaa apcadad m tha