The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-19

n - CIeveisud's and Not Gre.hnu.'s- rrsster
Knotps HoaorabIs Refusal


WASHINGTON. Jan. lathe question what
was the underlying motive for the Policy Of
lnfamy is what principally engages the minds
OF men who have looked carefully into the
whole subject Before Clevelands Inaugural
tlon the policy was fixed In his mind but by
whom and for what reasons Is not yet so we'll
known ne some other things peculiar to the
Administration. Was the idea OF undoing
what had been done in Hawaii evolved in his
brain because he could not heln it. as sancho
Panza could not help going forth TO redress
the wrongs OF mankind in general2 Or WIS It
suggested to him. formulated in all particulars
as Blount and Willis have since lnbored to az
ecute it2 That Cleveland was familiar with
all the details. whether original or second
hand. entering into the Hawaiian revolution.
the overthrow OF monarchy. the rise OF the
Provisional Government. is an extraordinary
fact in the case II Is no violence to proba-
biity to conclude that some one else than
Cleveland devised the Policy OF 1ninmv. for rea-
sons that would not occur TO him. though he
might adopt It and make it his own after the
proper understanding was reached.
II Ia an interesting question what was the
origin and progress OF the Policy OF Ininmy in
Clevelands intelligence. That 1t was there
fully shaped and complete in all its details
before Judge Gresham entered Clevelands
Cabinet IL entirely certain. That the clouds
which obscured tho beginning OF Cleveland's
scheme have broken away so as to disclose this
as 10 certainty IL no longer question. The first
Gresham heard OF the intention OF Cleveland as
to Hawaii was at Buzaard's Bay before he came
to Washington or had actually entered the Cab
met. Even before Mr.. Cleveland's Inauguration,
Cleveland was full Of the Policy OF 1nfamy. and
had the papers all made out for Gresham to
sign. and he signed them with little thought OF
their full import or what would follow. There
were things relating to other matters which
Cleveland had not had time to consider. but
when Gresham came to Washington this Ha-
walisn question he had In full shape and ready
to take hold OF. How this came about. with
whom Cleveland had conferred and what were
tho reasons for this plan 10 not yet so we'll
known as what followed, The Hawaiian revo
luton had taken place three months before.
The treaty OF annexation was before the Sen
ate. There were a score OF other questions OF
importance he would have to deal with when
he came in but OF them all only on this one.
without there being any pressing necessity
except as IL might relate to individuals. was he
prepared 60 act without delay These things
are true. unless we are prepared to dispute
Gresham's own statement.
This il the place to do Gresham Justice BY
saying there is not any foundation for the
allegation that he took hold OF the Hawaiian
question either rs coming from Cleveland or
OF his own motion In the spirit OF hostility to
Harrison. Tho truth is. Gresham had nothing
whatever to do with the POLICY OF Iniamy at its
origin. lie had hardly given It n thought when
he put his official signature TO the first docu-
ment in the Hawaiian business. The first he
heard OF Blount whom he did not know. e1-
cept casually was when that gentleman APP
peared in the state Department. saying he
had been selected by Mr.. Cleveland as his
Commissioner to go to Honolulu to begin
there the work OF restoring the Queen. At tho
Same time Blount handed to Gresham his
comm isson for him to sign. and then his in
structions. which had been made out for the
Secretary's signature. and all OF which
Gresham duly signed. The purpose OF Blounts
going to Honolulu was not fully known to
Gresham and when the Policy OF Iniamy be-
gan to develop. it was as much to his amaze
ment as to that OF the American people
In uarratin: to a friend Of long standing the
history OF the Hawaiian com plication, Gresham
related those particulars and then with empha-
sis and feeling he said:
the Hawaiian business. IL Is not mine"
In particular was the Judge DESTROYS OF re-
rudiating the charge OF having acted at any
thought was not in It so far as he wac con-
cornej. That rumor at least he wished to have
corrected. As he was not the author or in any
way the originator OF the Cleveland Ha-
waiinn policy. no such motive could be alleged
against him.
Why the Judge worked. or appeared TO
work with earn estness for the success OF the
policy it is not known; but as to his relation
10 tho early stages OF tho policy he has made
the above explanation.
Another unwritten page Of the Policy, OF In
fanny is this: Proctor Knott OF Kentucky was
first summoned to Washington TO receive the
offer OF the post of Minister to Honolulu. To
him Cleveland explained what would be ex-
pocted OF him as Minister. The Pole OF In
fanny was laid before the distinguished Ken.
all. Knott told Cleveland he would not accept
the mission to Honolulu. He said to Ceve-
land with emphasis. that his policy was wrong
unpatriotic. un-hmerican. and he could have
nothing to do with II.
Mr.. Willis was then selected and the world
knows tho rest