The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-12-21

other foreign merchants and traders re-
siding at Honolulu to favor. the annexa-s
tien of Hawaii to the United States. 1t
is sufficient to note the fact and to OBJ
serve that the project was one which.
was Zealously promoted by the minister
representing the United States iii that
country. He evidently had an ardent
desire that it should become a fact ac-
complished by his agency and during
his ministry, and was not intonveniently
scrupulous as to the means employed 70
that end. Of course the assumption Of :,
protectorate was promptly disavoWed ny
cur government, but the American H'g
remained over the government building 1T
llOnOlulu. and the forces renamed en-
guard until April, and after Mr.. Blounts
arrival OH the scene, when both We're re-
moved.
The president then follows with re-
view of tho occurrences that led up to
the subversion Of the constitutional gov
eminent of Hawaii, all of which facts
are already familiar to the public.
The president then sums up the condi-
tons of the situation as follows: The
lawful government of Hawaii was over
thrown without the drawing of a sword
or the firing of a shot by a process every
step Of which, it 1nay safely be asserted,
its success upon the agency of the Unit
ed States government through Its di-
plomatic and naval representatives. But
for the notorious predictions of the
United States minister for annexation
the committee of safety, which should be
never have existed But for the landing
of the United States forces upon false
| preteXts respecting the danger to life
! and property the committee would never
| have exposed themselves to the pains
and penalties of treason by undertaking
Of % g
| But for the p1 essence of the United States
force in the immediate vicinity and in
position to afford all needed protection
and support the committee would not
have proclaimed the provisional govern
nent from the steps of the government
building and finally, but for the lawless
occupation of Honolulu under false pre-
texts by the United States forces, and
but for Minister Stevens recognition of
the provisional government when the
United States forces We're it's sole support
and constituted its only military strength,
the queen and her government would new
or have yielded to the provisional govern
| ment, even for a time and for the sole
purpose of submitting her case to the
enlightened justice of the United States.
Believing 3: therefore; that the United
States could not, under the circumstances
disclosed, annex these islands without
justly mourning the imputation of ac-
quiring them by unjustitable methods,
shall not again submit the treaty of an
neXation to the senate for its considera-
ton. and III the instructions to Minister
Willis. Il copy of which accompanied
this message, l have directed him to so
inform the provisional government, but
III i'll the present instance our duty does
not, in my opinion, end with refusing
to consumate this questionable transac C.
ton. 1t is the boast Of our, government
that it seeks to do justice i'll all things
without regard to the strength or weak
ness of those with whom it deals. l mis-
take the American people if they favor
the odious doctrine that there is no such
thing as international morality, that
there, is one law for strong nation and
another for weak, and that even by
indirect means a strong power may
with impunity despoil a weak one of it's
territory. by an act of war committed
with the participation of a diplomatic
representative of the United States and
ment Of feeble but friendly and con-
filling people has been overthrown.
A substantial wrong has thus been
done, which due regard for our national
character as we'll as the right of the in
jured people required that we should ell
deaNor to repair The provisional gov
eminent has not assumed a republican OF
other constitutional form, but has re-
| manned Il mere executive cOunci ! or
oligarchy, set up without the assent of
the people. 1t has not seen fit to find a
| permanent basis for popular support and
has given no evidence of an intention to
do so. Indeed. the representative of
that government assert that the people OF
Hawaii are unfit for popular government
and frankly avow that they can hest be-
fuled by arbitrary or despotic power
The law of nations is founded upon rea-
son and justice and the rules of conduct
governing individual citizens Or subjects
Of civilized state as equally applicable
as between enlightened nations. TIL
considerations that international law is
without court for it's enforcement, and
that obedience to the commands practi
cally depends upon good faith instead OF
upon the mandate of a superior tribunal
only give additional sanction to the law
itself, and brand any deliberate infrac
ton Of it not merely rs Il wrong but as a
disgrace. A man of true honor protects
the unwritten word which binds his con
science more scrupulOnsy, if possible
than he does the bond, the breach OF
which subjects him to legal liabilities
and the United States in aiming to main
tain itself as one of most enlightened
of nations would do it's citizens gross in
justice if it applied to its internal rela
tions any other than Il high standard OF
honor and morality. On that ground the
United States cannot properly be put If
|
after its commission any more than il
that of consenting to it in advance. Or
that ground it cannot allow itself to re
fuse to redress Al, injury inflicted
through an abuse Of power by officer:
clothed with it's authority and wearing
its uniform. and on the same ground il
feeble but friendly state is in danger Of
being robbed of it's dependence and it,
: sovereignty by misuse of power of the
United States, the United States cannot
fail to vindicate its sense of Justice. by
an earnest effort to make all possible
PREPARATIONS. These principles apply tt
the present case with irresistible force
. when the special conditions of the queen.
surrnder of her sovereignty are recalled
She surrendered not to the provisional
government, but to the United States
She surrendered not absolutely and per
manently, but temporarily and condi
.. tionaAly, until such time as the fact!
could be considerd by the United States
Furthermore. the provisional government
acquiesced III her surrender, in that man
ner. and if those terms not only by thei]