Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-13
IN THE SENATE.
Gray Of Delaware on the Hawaiian
Situation.
He lndu!sss in Old and Wesn.oui Criticisms ol
niaisaes Stevens.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-In the Senate
Gray spoke on the resolution declaring il
expedient the annexation of Hawaii.
treaty of annexation with a government
formed a. the provisional government Of
Hawaii had been. Gray declared, was in.
consistent with the honor and dignity of ths
United States, and would be in violation OF
the plainest obligations of international
morality, as well - settled practice and
traditions of the United States government
There had not been an ear mark to chsrac
terize the movement Of that comparatively
small number Of people 10 Honolulu as 3
revolution emanating from the people grow.
ing out of strong feeling of wrong or op-
preston.
Gray sketched the progress of events,
beginning with the proposition of the Queen
to establish new constitution, which made
he sail, pretence and excuse for carrying
out the da ing scheme of the plotters
The evidence all went to show that the
movement was confined to'a comparatively
small junta of able, intelligent. vicious
men, who with the aid of the American
minister, accomplished Gas far as they could
The object they had in view. This junts
composed an oligarchy of wealth and in
tligence, an oligarchy as foreign to Re-
publican form of government as most oppo-
site things in the world could be opposite to
each other.
Gray spoke of the call for United States
troops "to protect life and property" 40 q
novel and unique discovery in revolutions
Mr.. Stevens. he said, might be very good
man but he was the most indiscreet man
that ever occupied such an important posi-
ton in foreign country in so great crisis,
1t was most indiscreet thing for him to
consent to the application for troops for
such purpose, without suggestion in the
way of dissuadingj the applicants. His
actions were not to be construed otherwise
than completely with their plans.
"Do you think Mr.. Stevens ought to have
interfered?" Teller asked.
Certainly I do not" Gray answered.
II think he should not have interfered.
Here were avowed revolutionists, seeking
the aid of the American minister and COM
municating to him the project they had on
hand-to wit, overthrowing the existing
government to which he was accredited,
and to which he was bound by every obli-
CATION of good faith and propriety. They
disclosed to him their object; he did not re
buke them, did not try to dissuade them;
he promised just what they asked. do
say that (this being evidence out Of their
own mouths) it is impossible for me or any
.andid man to believe otherwise than that
Mr.. Stevens was in active completely with
them in the plans they proposed"
''Do you think it Mr.. Stevens duty"
Teller asked, "to attempt to dissuade
them?"
"Not at ALL" Gray answered. ..
"Then why bring that in as a charge
against Mr.. Stevens" said Teller.
~ say that the fact that Mr.. Stevens
promised them just what they asked, with
out attempting to dissuade them, showed
nim guilty of completely. 1t was not the
iuty of Mr.. Stevens to compromise any,
thing. He was there to perform q duty to
this great republic, and to American citizens
whose lives and property might be in jeop-
.rday, and he was not there to consult with
-evolutionists who put them in jeopardy.
There was not cloud in that blue Ky ex-
cept what was created by the committee of
safety and by the project that they had in
hand. 1t was they who were about to in
augurate state of things to put the m in
jeopardy; and they came to Mr.. Stevens
6uu dskcu Hill " etuu kIUOpo xIOul Vic DUE.
ton, and they were satisfied with his an
swer.
In answer ty = remark of Hawley's, Gray
ssid: "Mr. Stevens has stuck to his text
as to the landing of the troops for the pro.
lection of American life and property; but
my charge against Mr.. Stevens is not that
he used that formula, but all the evidence
shows that he participated in all the arrange
ments to bring about change of govern
ment. Can We rob this people of their gov
ernment ard territory on any different con-
iitions (and maintain ourselves before the
world) than we would seek to despoil q
powerful kingdom Of its territory and its
Gray continued to comment upon the
statements of members of the committee of
safety and spoke Of their agitation at not
finding arms in the city to arm their sup
porters. at was," he said, "a most ac-
rommodating revolution. The revolution
lists had to have regular mesls--their break
fast, luncheon, dinner, at regular hours.
Otherwise the revolution would go to pot.
Commend me to Thurston's revolution. All
these revolutionists had to do was to get
foreign minister and big foreign warsbip
to take eli the trouble of their hands.
They had no time to think of such things as
swords, spears and guns. They were
statesmen. They to make schemes of the
government and annexation
After occupying the floor more than
.hr, hours Gray yielded for motion to go
into executive session on the condition that
he should have an opportunity of conclud.
ing his speech tomorrow.
The Presidents message, transmitting
further dispatches from Minister Willis,
and certain version of the interview of
Nov IA, 1898, between Secretary Gresham
and Mr.. Thurston, representing the provis-
onal government at Washington, were laid
before the Senate and rererred to the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
After an executive session resolutions of
regret at the news Of the death of Repre-
sentative Houk Of Ohio, were adopted, and
- further mark Of respect the Senate ad-
journed.
Epidemic ei Scarlet Fever Feared.