The record-union., 1893-12-20
THE HAWAIIAN CASE.

he San Francisco Cali admits that the
residents Hawaiian message is a logical
document. or the most logical he has
issued. But our contemporary begs the
question when it adds that the President
should have considered the causes. the
acts of the Queen, which led the revolu-
tionists to assume the risks of what, if
unsuccessful, is treason.
That, it must be clear to anyone, the
Government OF the United States cannot
do. The instant we do so we constitute
ourselves judges and controllers of the
domestic policy of a nation with which
we have established and unimpaired
treaty obligations. Once open the door to
such doctrine, and we may be embroiled
at any time by unwise or indiscreet
agents abroad in the domestic affairs of
other peoples.
No, it must be evident to the thinking
man that we cannot enter into any such
matters aggressively, strong though our
sympathies may be with the revolu-
tionists, and abhor as much as we may
the policy of the Government in power.
The Call says:
The Presidents appeal to the sense of JUS
ticc of the American people would have more
force il he had first shown that an injustice
had been done 10 the Queen. As facts come
TO us from other sources it appears that the
Queen was deprived OF her authority because
she had forfeited it. The new constitution
she prepared would have exposed the white
residents of the islands 10 terrors of q despotic
rule under monarch that was not lit TO rule
at all.
Let any American citizen pause and
ask himself if he is prepared to make
that the policy of this country; whether
we are to pass upon the justice Of every
revolt abroad, and take sides accordingly;
whether we have the right, in good con-
science, to set ourselves up in the busi
ness of determining what Governments
are. because tyrannous, to be over
thrown?
If we are to come to that, our policy
should follow our sympathies and prompt
Intervention in Russia between the Car,
and the nihilists whose declaration of
principles follow closely the declaration
of our own independence, abhorrent as
nihilistic methods may be. We should,
possibly, side with Mello at Rio, and de-
eide that Peixoto is dictator and a cruel
and tyrannous usurper of power and sub
verter of republican institutions.
The RECORD UNION did not support
Mr.. Cleveland in politics, but for that
very reason it is careful TO be exact in
pronouncing judgment upon his acts.
We say now and frankly. as at the outset,
that while our sympathies are all with
the revolutionists. and against the opium,
lottery policy of the Queen, we believe,
on the basis of the truth of his assertions
of fact and in the light of his message,
that President Cleveland has landed on
his feet 1t is not question for an in
slant whether he is making a successful
stroke as the head of the Democratic
party, puI is no duueIluS W LAe WISE IRA
ditional policy of the American nation in
the light of facts not before President
Harrison, and is such policy wise and in
the interests of common justice, even to
Liliuokalini?
Mr.. Cleveland's error in this matter
was his reticence; in allowing the people
to believe that his declaration that the
Queen ought to be restored, and that the
United States should undo wrong into
which the President alleged it had been
by indiscretion led, meant the employ
ment of force.