Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-11-23
The VOICE Os Ine ps0p E.
Ehatthe Papers Say or the Hawaiian Question


The Press i'll refuse to bell we, without
the most positive evidence, the statement
~ despatrbes from Washington to ID mo-
crsIi' rspspers-One Of those nywspa-
pers an ardent supporter Of Cleveiand-to
he effect that emlssries Of Nini.ter Will
!, in Hawaii have been enteayorin< 10
corrupt the troops of the provisional gov
ernment. Sach a course would be far
more abhorent and immeasursbly more
iespicable in the eyes of all who take
pfide In the American flag, in American
traditions and the honor and prestige of the
American name than would open warfare
Itself The corruption even of an adver-
sary's forces is seldom attempted by civil
lzed and enlightened nations, and is pecu
harry odious to American ideas and in
sIincts. perhaps on account of the treachery
of Benedict Arnold. la our own Civil War,
when once the issue had been submitted to
the srbitramert os arms, corruption and
treachery played SUBSTANTIALLY no part in
the struggle 1t would be bad enough TO
resort to such methods in dealt g
with an enemy in dealing with a
friendly and independent state, TO whose
President the American minister has just
horne from the head of this government a
message of good will couched in language
far exceeding in protested cordiaiity the
usual tone of diplomacy, such course Of
conduct would be infamous beyond the
power of language TO describe.
But whether the treachery medifated
against the provisional government Of
Hawaii has or has not gone as far a. re-
sort to methods from which anyone but our
present secretary of state, We should think
you'd shrink with horror and disgust,
there is abundant evidence that
Msssrs. Cleveland and Gresham ex-
pected that the same steamer which brought
To this country the news that Cleveland's
message of goodwill had been delivered to
President Dole would also bring news that
the provisional and republican government
had been overthrow. A significant c,reum-
sance is that the report of Paramount
Commis.ionsr Blount. in which Gresham
claims to find justification for making war
on the existing gove rnment of Hawsn, was
withheld until after the arrival of the Aus
tralia. and then first given out through the
columns of the Sprrckels organs 1t is
manifest that this report was held back with
the view of answering the cutlery of popular
ind snation which the conspirstors foresa~
would follow the announcement that the
power of the United States had been used
to overthrow republic and re-est4blish a
tn, one.
The report of Comm ssioner Blount,
print.d in the Press this morning, has little
or no bearing upon the present situation ex-
cspt to thros add ional light upon the ORR
gin aud character of the conspiracy against
the provisional government of Hawaii. In
view of the methods pursued by Blouut in
his so-called investigation it is pat mt that
il was the intention of Cleveland, Gresham
4 Company to strike a malignant blow at
the Harrison administration BY degrading
Minister Stevens. Il will be remembered that
when Blount was sent to Hawaii, in violation
of the Constitution. asa paramount COM
missioner" and with the professed object
of obtaining evidence on the question of
annexation. an ATTEMPT was made by
Gresham to induce the honorable John L..
Stevens to retain his place as minister to
Hawaii. Mr.. Stevens very properly re-
fused to keep An office which had been
shorn Of it. rishtful powers by the uncon-
sfitutional action of the President of the
United States, anil hence Mr.. Stevens
resigned. 1t appeared singular at the time
that Gresham should have desired Stevens
10 remain. but all is explained by the
rec, Mt course of the coolie slave la
Dor conspiracy. Blount. instead of
seeking evidence on the question of
annexation. was endeavoring to get evil
dence TO impeaeh Minister Stevens and
| President Hsrrison's administration, and to
make = pretense for Gresham to dismiss
Stevens in disgrace, and thus iniure the
reputation of President Harrison. But Mr.
Stevens eoul be made neither \ tool nor a
victim. and by insisting on his resignation
he defeated that part of the plot.
IL is more and more evident, as the reve-
lations increase concerning the hostile de-
signs of Cleveland aud Gresham against
the friendly government Of Hawaii, that a
. arching iuves,ig alton by Congress would
result in evidence to justify the i'm
peachmen. both of Cleveland and
his secretary of state. The power of
the Federal government has been most
grossly perverted. the Constitution ignored
and violated. and the American people
treated with contempt and denied a kuowl-
edge of their own affairs in order that Clere-
lani and Gresham might aid the cause of
coolie slave labor by restoring degrade d
Queen to her fortified throne, and might
crafty q malignant hate and jealousy of
the clean snd patriotic American admit is
trasion which preceded them. For abuse Of
authority. 50 men,cing to American institu-
tons. there must be constitutional redress