The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-16
EXECUTIVE

next advices from Honolulu may show that
Mr.. Cleveland has violated the Constitu-
ton and made himself liable to impeach-
ment- His whole course in the Hawaiian
matter has been one of usurpation and dis
regard of constitutional methods. The APP
country where he already had an accredited
minister was an extraordinary step, and
comforting on the commissioner paramount
authority was unconstitutional. In doing
this Mr.. Cleveland assumed the right by
virtue of his personal authority, and with
out consulting the Senate, to appoint an
official who should outrank one appointed
by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
Another arbitrary act of Mr.. Cleveland's
was Withholding the publication of Secre-
tary Gresham's letter till after the adj
journment of Congress and concealing from
that body the fact that he had such a
letter, and that he was about to take a
step that might involve grave International
oAA = AO(tSL
is dated Oct. Is, and presumably was sent
to the President on that or the following
day. Congress was then in session. This
letter advised the overthrowing of a gov
eminent which had been recognized by the
United States and the restoration of a
monarchy. Yet, with the letter in his
hands, \and with the full intention of
carrying out its important recommends
ton, when he was formally waited upon
by a committee Of both branches of Con-
gress informing him that Congress was
ready to adjourn unless he had some further
communication to make, Mr.. Cleveland re-
piled that he had no such communication.
He deceived Congress. He was playing a
game and wanted to ''go it alone" His
treatment of Congress was an act Of bad
faith.
But there Is strong probability that Mr..
Cleveland will be guilty of an offense much
more serious than either of those men,
toned, and one which, II committed,
will make him liable to impeachment. He
has sent a minister to Honolulu with in
structions to restore Queen L~iliuokalani.
This cannot be done without overthrowing
the provisional government. 1t makes no
difference how that government was estab-
lished, it is the only government in the
Islands. 1t is the de facto government, and
has been recognized. through their minis
ters or consuls, by the governments of Ger
many, Italy, Austria, Russia. Spain, Japan,
China, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium,
Chill. Mexico and Peru. To overthrow this
governme mi will be an act of war. To
restore the Queen by force will be an act
of war. If Mr.. Cleveland's minister uses
as much force as a single marine in carry
a display of force by landing marines to
compel the provisional government TO abdi-
cate its functions, it will be an act of war.
Under the Constitution Congress alone can
force whatever or makes any show Of force
in carrying out his scheme of restoring
the monarchy he will be usurping a power
that belongs to Congress alone, and will
be liable to impeachment. There Is abso-
lutely no room for doubt on this point.
By every principle Of international law the
provisional government Of Hawaii is as
much an established government to-day as
the Oldest government in Europe. The ques-
ton of it's origin is not in issue. Even
If, as is falsely claimed by Secretary Gresh-
am, 1t was established by the forcible in
tervention OF United States troops, that
would not affect the question. II is the
only legal government in Hawaii. and has
been recognized as such by the represent
atives of all foreign powers. TO overthrow
such a government or compel it to abdicate
its functions by a display Of force or by
threats would be an act Of war and would
subject the President to impeachment.
We shall know in a few days whether Mr..
Cleveland has been guilty of this crown
ing act Of usurpation-