The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-15
pfR. CIEyELAND's WISE COURSE RE-
GAKDING HAWAII.

Mr.. Cleveland possesses in an eminent
degree two qualities. which are the source
OF his enormous hold upon the confidence
and the respect OF the people. They are
an unselfish desire 10 promote the public
good and perfect independence OF judg-
llent I'm arriving at his conclusions In all
matters that concern the publics inter
ests. During his first term OF office he
undoubtedly made errors of Judgment,
and he is equally liable 10 error during
this term But whilst his actions evil
dence that sincere desire to promote the
pubic welfare that has always heretofore
characterized them, the people will over
look much and still give to him their en-
tire confidence
He has taken no step in office which will
impress the public with confidence in his
good hard, common sense more thor
oughly than his course in respect TO the
island of Hawaii For this Government
10 busy itself as an intermeddler in the
affairs of that island is for it 10 over
throw and reverse every principle OF ac-
ton that 1t has declared to the world
since It commenced as the basis Of its
foundations and, for 81 TO annex the
island as part OF the United States. is
equally to do the same thing. and to in
volve itself in a line Of policy liable 10
bring It into all the tangles and embar-
easements Of what is euphemisticaly
termed European Diplomacy" with its
attendants of bloody wars and huge ma
tional debts
Coming into control OF the executive
policy of the nation when public opinion
touching Hawaii was In the crisis of its
formative process. his first act in calling
upon the Senate to return him the crude,
unripe treaty Of annexation that hasty,
laundering Mr.. Harrison had been so
speedy In entering into, gave a shock to
the spinal column of the Jingoists and
sensationalists that has made them "roost
lower"-much lower-ever since. Ills next
step IN sending a wise, conservative man,
like Mr.. Blount. TO the island to investi-
gate the actual condition of things in
an entirely independent way, was a Sec
ond evidence of prudence, wisdom and
good. common sense. that made strong
appeal TO the sober judgment OF the
whole people.
II now transpires that' Mr.. Blount was
clothed with very wide powers, IL he saw
fit to exercise them, when he reached
Hawaii. This also was wise. employing.
as he did. an agent trustw orthy from
every standpoint both of character as
well as discretion. And now we have
the final outcome in Mr.. Blount ordering
the American flag 10 be taken down and
4 the American marines 10 be returned 10
their ships.
Mr.. Blount has served in Congress from
Georgia for some twenty years past. and
he voluntarily abandoned his seat at the
last election. During most of his service
in Congress he has been a member Of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and was
its chairman in the Fifty-second Con-
gress. The country will recollect the ex-
traordinary scene which occurred in the
House OF Representatives just before the
expiration OF the last Congress, when
the House testified. in body, 10 It's re-
spect for Mr.. Blount and it's regret al
losing him from the Legislative Halls
OF the nation-a scene without parallel
in the history OF the Government. His
Character as man. and as d man OF
discretion and judgment, are so well GER
tined TO- therefore. that the country Will
accept his action in taking this step as
wise one, whilst all the facts that led
MIN to II are being prepared to be sub
mitted to II.
mr. Cleveland IL pursuing the right
sourss In respect to this Hawaiian mat