The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-05-13
AGAINST ANNEXATION.
An Ohio Plea for Respecting Conf
dence of Hawaiians.

dence of Hawaiians.
In an article under the heading,
against Annexation" the Toledo
Blade refers to the Herald's letter
from Mr.. Nordhoff and continues as
follows:
The annexationists are less than
two thousand in number. These
comprise Americans, men, women
and children, though by no means
even all of these are favorable to an
nexation. The leaders of this small
party are making an effort to incite
the natives to deeds of violence by
Haunting foreign flag in their faces,
and they may bring about the dis
order they seem to seek. Great as
the provocation is, however, the ISL
anders have thus far displayed their
restraint admirably. They show
their good conduct and peaceful in
clination by carefully refraining
from any act that is calculated to
bring about a conflict. Should these
planters succeed in their efforts to
incite to violence, they might arouse
spirit that would sweep the few
annexation schemers and their plan
tations out of existence 1t might
prove to them an eruption as terri
BILE as that of Mauna Loa. These
annexationists are embittered on &C
count of the failure of their schemes,
and if an outbreak should occur,
they themselves would be RESPONSE
BILE for it.
These natives are obedient to their
queen, who has enjoined upon them
to be quiet, as she has confidence in
the United States government. She
has told them that it is a great and
just nation, and that the president
is great and just man. She has
thus encouraged them and inspired
them with the same confidence she
possesses in the belief that our gov
eminent will do no act of injustice
to her people. Will it be good poll
cy in the United States to abuse and
violate that feeling of trust?
Can the United States show itself
to be less just and magnanimous
than Great Britain proved itself to
be fifty years ago9 The incident is
related by Mr.. Nordhoff in his cor
respondence. In 1943 an English
admiral hauled down the Hawaiian
flag, hoisted the British flag and
took possession of the island. The
natives were defenseless and could
do nothing more than protest
against the high-handed act. Rests
lance was useless and they could
only remain quiet, as directed by
their rulers. In the course of time
another English admiral came and
hauled down the British colors, ran
up and saluted the Hawaiian flag,
and restored the government to its
former authority. Shall the United
States prove itself less just and
honorable than that imperial power?
We can we'll afford to correct the
tlagrant wrong perpetrated by the
Harrison administration.
In striking contrast to the Judi
cious conduct and quiet demeanor
of Commissioner Blount, is that of
Minister Stevens, who, according to
Mr. Nordhoff, "still. goes about urg-
my anu encouraging duueAdtlOH.
His action continues as reprehensi-
BILE as it has been from the begin
ming. His presence there is menace
to the peace, and his recall should
be the next step in the settlement of
the present trouble.
The entire Hawaiian business from
its first inception was foul blot
upon the Harrison administration.
No holder act, none more unwar-
ranted, has any American represent
ative been guilty of than that which
stands charged to Minister Stevens.
1t has no warrant in American law
or American policy. In this in
stance a petty minister arrogates to
himself powers which the president
himself can not exercise except by
and with the advice and consent of
the senate. Why did this act of
usurpation receive countenance at
Washington? Why was not the
minister guilty of the fragrant and
unauthorized act at once recalled2
That would have at once put a stop
to the nefarious business. The re-
cognition of this procedure at Wash
ington was not calculated to raise
the United States in the respect and
esteem of the civilized world.
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