Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-02-14
That Is, Loyal to CIeveland's
Hawaiian Policy.
He Renews His SIurs and Insinua-
tions Against Mr.. Stevens.
Attempts 10 Place Presidents Acts In q More
Favorable Light.


Mr.. Dole ard other members of the pro.
visional government, declaring belief in
their inability to pro.ect life and property
and prevent civil disorder and praying Mr.
Stevens to raise the flag of the United
States for the protection of the Hawaiian
islands. So that, Gray said, from the first
| % the last Mr.. Stevens seemed not only in
constant communication with the committee
of safety and the provisional government,
but had been swift ON all occasions to do
their bidding ard respond to their call.
GRAY directed attention to the mark d
contrast between the attitude of Mr.. Ste
vens toward the provisional government
and his attitude toward the Queen, to which
he was the accredited minister. He referred
to Mr.. DoIe's statement to Mr.. Blount that
the first provisional government could not
have got along without the al of the United
States troops and said there wss no possible
escape from the conclusion that the ~provis-
ional government could not have existed a
moment without the moral and ply sical aid
given it by Mr.. Stevens.
81 do not believe" said Gray, "that the
evidence from which l read extracts can
l4sve any doubt in the minds of the Senate
chat Mr.. Stevens, long before this emeute
of January, 1898, had been actively pro-
noting what he called annexation senti-
ment,' and he was in close commun cation
aith those who desired to bring about a
change of government By oyerthrowing the
established government and setting up one
which would treat for anne xation to the
United States.
What duty deyolved upon the President
IF the United States? lido not think there
ought to be two opiuionsas to that ques-
ton. do not think any patriotic Ameri-
can oug to doubt for an instant that the
Executive head of this great nation, when
ne knew the facts was certified of the
truth, withdrew, or attempt. d to withdraw
the government of this great country from
the dishonorable and diJgraceful attitude ia
which it was placed by an unauthorized
dom.
"He has done it; and believe the coun-
try will, when it understands the case, be
grateful and continue to be grateful for the
wisdom and courage of the Executive, who,
regardless of the calumnies of his partisan
opponents, dared to do the right thing.
This. Executive appealed to the conscience
and judgment of his country men, and am
Wiling to abide by the result of that ap-
pal"
"a good deal has been said about the
hauling down of the American flag in
Honolulu. When the American flag is
hauled up by the order of Democratic
President it will be hauled up under cir
cumstances that ill keep it where it is.
until the winds of heaven have blown it in
to rags. 1t will never be hauled up in dis
honor. 1t will never be hauled up to put a
great people, whose symbol of power and
authority it is, to blush. 1t will never mis-
represent the magnamity, greatness and the
courage of the people of the United States,
as it did " hen hauled up at the request of
this revolution ary junta in the Hawaiian is
lands, the first of February.
What are we to say in condemnation of a
President, who, unhesitatingly, when he
found q wrong had been done, ordered the
fl g hauled down? The American people
will always commend the President who
does the right thing and is not governed by
the mere clamor and jingoism sough. to be
injected in this case.
Gray devoted much of the rest of his
speech to q discussion of the question
whether the appointment of Mr.. Blount as
commissioner to Hawaii was such as re-
qnired confirmation by the Senate. He AZ
gued that il did not. He was asked by Tel
lar whether, if Blount superseded an officer
whose appointment did require confrma-
ion by the Senate, that did not change the
'ituation. Gray gave his opinion that it
I'D not and the person so appointed for a
specific purpose was an "ofiicer under the
constitution"
oa,I tbo rs .1n
was one of international morality. If thi,
a,ion was ever to step from the shores of
this continent on the career of empire and
colonization, it should be with head erect,
without suspicion of dishonor, intrigue or
low d, aling.
Teller asked Gay as member of the
committee charged with the mstter) what it
vas proposed that they should do now that
the President had remitted the whole qucs-
ton to Congress.
Grey rep led that he thought the interest
of all concerned in these islands as we'll as
the interest of the people of the United
States, would be best conserved by leaving
the Hawaiian people to pursue their own
line of policy. If the provisional govern
mept had established itself 10 a manner as
to be able to make itself 10 reality a de
facto government, the beet interests of the
Hawaiian people aud the United States
would be promoted by its going on and OBJ.
tanning the sanction of the people, if it
could.
Teller said he hoped the senator spoke
for the administration. 1t would be a good
deal better to do that than to keep the
matter in doubt, to keep the Hawaiian peo-
pie in an unsettled condition, as it seemed
to be, by the conduct of our minister, who
seemed to carry an idea that there was
something irregular in the provisional gov
ernment. something TO be rishted there by
the President or Congress.
Gray said be very much regretted that
the President was unable to undo the out
rage and make reparation for the wrong COM
mitted there the 18th of January, 1898.
The opportunity 20 do il was gone and he
supposed would never return.
Teller remarked that he did not care
what Mr.. Stevens conduct was. He was
looking 1t the present condition. 1t seemed
to him more than wicked, more than cruel.