New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-20
BRIEFLY STATED.

| DEIEFLl SIIIEO
President Cleveland was determined to pre-
vent the adoption OF his predecessors proposals
concerning Hawaii. and 10 that end Withdrew
the annexation treaty from the Senate as soon
as possible lie had already conceived pol
| icy. and probably devised plan Of action to
carry il into effect. But To sustain his intended
proceedings n plea in justification would ulti-
mately be necessary. and for this suitable ma
| tcrials were lacking. He therefore sent Mr.
Blount to Honolulu TO procure them. BY eX-
| Gliding all evidence in disproof of the case
which he was expected 10 make out Mr.. Blount
| easily and quickly finished his errand and gave
| President Cleveland what he wanted. But,
| having Congress on his hands after August
:. the President was obliged 10 postpone the
execution of his plan until after the end Of the
extra session, so as 10 avoid the risk of lceS-
lativc interference He had no doubt that the
interval between the extra and the regular
sessions would be ample for his purpose, and
so. feeling safe NJ last after IN irritating de-
lay he instructed Secretary Gresham 10 divulSe
the scheme for restoring the monarchy which
Mr. Willis had been commissioned 10 accom-
plish and Of the success Of which he supposed
the next steamer from Honolulu would bring
the news.
But on reaching his post Mr.. Willis found
that he had not understood and could not con
troll the situation there. according 70 his In
strlctions that Il peaceful restoration Of the
monarchy was simply impossible and Il violent
restoration extremely doubtful and hazardous
and in a dispatch which the President still CON
ccals ne so reported and asked for further in
hat no hopiuuiuv ~ In.
Of Mr. Clevcand's fantastic project. He had
incautiously disclosed the mystery which had
so long invested his proceedings and from that
moment everything went against him. little
diplomatic sparring for wind and handwriting
for position followed. but Willis NJ Honolulu
was impotent. public knowledge Of the truth
spread. the American people were able at last
10 take q hand. Congress met, and the game
was up. Under pressure the President has con
fessed an utter failure and asked Congress 10
intervene and avert, II possible, the normal
consequences Of his acts. This is the record In
the celebrated case OF Cleveland versus the
Hawaiian Commonwealth.
There are numerous details Of the Presidents
miserable fasco which The impending debate
in Congress will illuminate But N least one
feature Of II appears 10 need no further light.
and that is the secrecy which the President de-
Iiberately and assiduOusly maintained 50 long
he supposed that there was n possibility Of
Interference with his plans by Congress either
Of its own volition or under the pressure Of
public sentiment. In his special message he
assumes that the people on his side. If
they are not, ne mas "cntrcly Inexperienced
the mission and character Of our Government
and the behavior which the conscience ~ our
people demands OF their public servants" If
this is the Presidents conviction why did he
not take the people into his confidence, thus
giving to his purpose and cndcavor the IRE
sistiblc force Of their appreciation! He has late
ly had an opportunity 10 learn the value Of such
help. He has seen popular opinion compel hos
tile representatives, OF his party in Congress
TO unite with the Republican minority In saving
the country from financial ruin Why did he
refuse TO avail himself Of the same assistance
in carrying out his Hawaiian policy, II he knew
that it was at his command? His acts refutc
his words. lie never knew that the people
would sustain him, and now he knows they
will not. He chose to abide the event. Their
opposition would have been fatal and it suited
his dcspotlc and obstinate temper 10 avoid the
test until he thought their approval was I'M
necessary.
This is a fact which 70 bclatcd and now i'm |
pertinent ascrption Of virtue 10 the people or
invocation Of their blessing can obscure. At
first the President thought that he did not need
their help. AT last he is aware that hc will not
even receive their pardon