The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-12-26

ernment building and palace. Th,
military occupation of Honolulu by the
United States was wholly without jus
tification, either as an occupation by
consent, or either as an occupation tC
meet dangers threatening American
life and property. 1t must be account
ed for some way and on some other
grounds and its real motives are not
obscure or far to seek The United
States Minister, pursuant to prior
agreement, recognized the new gov
ernment within an hour after the read
ing OF the committees proclamation
and before 5 o'clock, in answer to an
inquiry on behalf of the Queen and her
| cabinet, announced that he had done
SO. When our minister recognized the
| provisional government the only basis
upon which it rested was the fact that
the committee on public safety had, in
tho manner above stated, declared it
to exist. 1t was neither u government
| de facto nor de jure. That it was not
in such possession of the government
property and agencies as entitled it to
recognition, is obviously proved by q
noto found in the files of the legation
at Honolulu. Nevertheless, this wrong
fui recognition by our minister placed
the government e the Queen in II posi-
tion of most perilous perplexity.
The control OF both sides Of q bargain
| acquired in such manner is called by
familiar and unpleasant name when
found in private transactions. We are
not without a precedent showing how
scrupulOusly we avoided such accusa-
tions in former days. After tho people
of Texas had declared their indepen-
dence of Mexico, they resolved that on
tho acknowledgement Of their inde-
pendence by the United States they
would seek admission into the Union.
Several months after tho battle OF San
Jacinto, by which Texas independence
was practically assured and established,
President Jackson declined to recognize
it, alleging that as one of his reasons
under the circumstances it became us
to beware OF a, too early movement, as
it might subject us, however unjustly,
to the imputation of seeking to estab-
lish the claim of our neighbors to
territory with q view to it's subsequent
acquisition by ourselves. This is in
marked contrast with the hasty recog-
milton of government openly and con-
cededly set up for the purpose of ten
dering to us territorial annexation.
believe that candid and thorough
examination of the facts will force the
conviction that the provisional govern
ment owes its existence to an ,rmed in
understand that any member OF the
government claims that the people
would uphold it by their suffrages if
they were allowed to vote on the ques-
tion.
I shall not again submit the treaty
of annexation TO the Senate for its con-
sideration, and in the instructions to
Minister Willis, q copy of which ac-
companies this message, have direct
ed him to so inform the provisional
government
But in the present instance our duty
does not, in my opinion, end with re-
fusing to consummate this questionable
transaction. 1t has been the boast of
our government that it seeks to do jus
tice in all things, without regard to
the strength or weakness of those with
whom it deals. | mistake the Ameri-
can people if they favor the odious doc
trine that there is no such thing as in
ternational morality that there is one
law for strong uation and another for
weak one and that even by indirec-
tion, strong power may with i'm
punity despoil weak one of its ter
ritory.
BY an act of war committed with
tho participation of IL diplomatic rep
resentatiye of the United States and
without authority OF Congress, a gov
ernment of a feeble, but friendly and
confiding people, has been overthr6wn.
A substantial wrong has thus been
done, which due regard for our ma
tional character as we'll as the rights
of the injured people, requires that we
should endeavor to repair. Tho pro-
visional government has not assumed
q republican on other constitutional
reform, but has remained a mere exec
utive council or oligarchy, set up with
out the assent OF the people. 1t has
moi sought to find permanent basis of
popular support and has given no evil
dence OF an intention to do so. Indeed,
the representatives Of that government
assert that the people OF Hawaii are
unfit for popular government and
frankly avow that they can best be
ruled by arbitrary or despotic power.
instructed Minister Willis to advise
tho Queen and hor supporters of my
desire to aid in the restoration of the
status existing before the lawlcss land
ing OF the United States forces at Homo
lulu on the 10th of January last, if
such restoration could be effected upon
as justice to all parties concerned.
The conditions have not proved ac-
ccptable to the Queen, though she has
been informed that they will be in
sisted upon, and that, unless acceded
to, the efforts of the President to aid
in the restoration of her government
will cease, [ have not thus far learned
that sho IS willing to yield them her
acquiescence. The check which my
plans have thus encountered has pre-
vented their presentation to the mem
bers Of the provisional government,
while unfortunate public misrepresen-
tations Of the situation and eXagger-
ated statements of the sentiments of
our people have obviously injured the
prospects OF successful executive medi-
alton.
l, therefore, submit this communica-
tion with its accompanying exhibits,
embracing Mr.. Blount's report the
evidence and statements taken by him
| at Honolulu, the instructions given to
both Mr.. Blount and Minister Willis
| and correspondence connected with the
| affair in hand.
In commenting this subject to the
| EXTENDED powers and wide discretion
| of Congress-, desire to add the assur-
ance that / shall be much gratified to
cooperate in any legislative plan
which may be devised for the solution
OF the problem before us, which is con-
sistent with American honor, integri-
ty and morality.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
|
| a JOKER AMONG BIRDS.-The blue
| foU io Oh n p,naf pnraiS Stnnt ,ro otina1 inlk-