The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-12-20


was the real author of the revolution,
and the military power at his command
was the sole reliance of the revolution
lists for the success of the uprising
against the government of the queen.
On this statement of the facts in the
case, the president arraigns the late
minister of this government at Honolulu
with a bitterness and violence that one
might expect to find in stump speech
in the heat of a political canvass, but
which do not comport with the dignity
and candor of message from the presi
dent of the United States. The presi-
dent is vituperative in his language,
and the severity of his structures be.
longs to the passing of judgment upon a
state of facts disclosed only by the
most thorough and impartial investiga-
ton, not from evidence that is not
only ex-parte but is in fact the hastily
gathered tale of spy, employing the
methods of a spy, and seeking informa-
ton along the avenues spy would
travel.
The president says the eX-minister
was in favor of anneXing the islands to
the United States, that he jealousy
promoted that project land was not in
conveniently scrupulous as to the
means employed to that end" Our
country, Mr.. Cleveland declares, was in
danger, through the actions of its min
lister, of occupying the position OF one
who had set up government on for
eign soil for the purpose of acquiring,
through that agency, possession of the
territory. "The control of both sides
of the bargain acquired in such man
ner,n says this remarkable message, sis
called by familiar and unpleasant
name when found in private transac-
TONS" Thus, by innuendo, when the
charge is not open and direct, does the
president Law at the door of Minister
Stevens, on the strength solely of the
evidence of a secret detective, offenses
of the gravest character. Conduct of
this kind is "called by familiar and
unpleasant name when found in pri-
vate transactions -; how thoroughly
unbecoming and contemplate in the
ruler of a great nation!
AS to his instructions to Minister
| Willis, the president says:
81 instructed Minister Willis to advise
| the queen and her supporters of my desire
| to aid in the restoration of the status exist
| ing before the lawless landing of the United
| States forces, if such restoration could be
| effected upon terms providing for clemency
| as well as Justice to all parties concerned.
The conditions suggested, as instructions
show, contemplate general amnesty to those
concerned in setting up the provisional gov
eminent, and recognition OF all its bona hde
acts and obligations In short, they require
that the past should be buried and that the
restored government should resume its au-
thority as if its continuity had not been in
terrupted These conditions have not
proved acceptable to the queen, and, though
she has been informed that they will be in
sisted upon and that unless acceded to, the
efforts Of the president to aid the restora-
ton of her government will cease, L have
not thus far learned that she is willing to
yield them heri acquiescence. The check
! which my plans have thus encountered has
prevented their presentation to members of
| the provisional government while unfor-
tunate public misrepresentation of the situa-
ton and exaggerated statements of the sem
timents of our people have obviously in
jured the prospects of successful executive
mediation. In commencing the subject to
the extended powers and wide discretion of
congress, desire to add the assurance that
l shall be much gratifed to cooperate in
| any legislative plan which may be devised
for the solution of the problem before us
which is consistent with American honor,
integrity and morality"
A pitiable slump indeedl In Ian
guage of cool and studied severity, the
president charges the administration of
his predecessor with unwarrantably in
terfering in the affairs of a friendly
power, and stigmatizes its agent at
Honolulu as pirate. The query nat
urally arises, in this connection, Where
did President Cleveland acquire the
powers of a dictator? BY what right
does he impose terms upon "the only
legitimate and constitutional govern
ment" of Hawaii, and limit by condi-
she has been restored to cher OWN?
What right has he TO forbid her to pun
ish rebels and traitors, or make heI
"acquiescence " in these limitations OF
the exercise of the vital functions Of
government the condition of her restora-
ton? This barbarian queen seems tC
have a better sense of the inalienable
rights of sovereignty than her civilized
brother potentate. Finally, the presi.
dent is fain to admit that he has made
botch of this business, and he incon.
tinently shuflles off upon congress the
task of settling the muddle. Ingloriou;
slump
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Mr.. Cleveland and the Pensioners.