The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-14
PRICE FIVE CENTS.

Tory, ana was characterized by most
obstinate struggle for personal control of
the Government aid the Legislature on
the part OF the Queen. This was strepu-
ously resisted by the opposition. Dur
Ing this contest four Ministerial Cabinets
were appointed and unseated, and the lot
terry franchise bill, which had been
Withdrawn early in the session for want
OF sufficient support, was at the last mo-
meDt, when the opposition was weakened
by the absence of several of its mem bers,
again brought forward and passed through
the exercise of improper and illegitimate
influences upon the legislators, among
which were personal appeals on the part
of the Queen to them. The Cabinet,
which represented the opposition and the
majority of the Legislature, which the
Queen had been compelled to appoint, was
unseated by similar means, and with a
Cabinet of her choice the Legislature was
proroGued. This lottery franchise was Of
character corresponding with similar
institutions which have been driven out OF
every State of the American Union by an
indignant public sentiment. If it had
been established here it would in brief
period have obtained full control of the
social and political life of the people.
Although the situation at the close Of
the session was deeply discouraging to the
community it was accepted without auy
intention of meeting it by other than legal
means. The attempted coup d'etat of the
Queen followed. and her Ministers, threat
ened with violence, fed to the citizens for
assistance and protection then it was that
ho rr1rfcI B ha
and gathering force from day TO day re-
suited in the proclamation of the Pro-
visional Government and the abrogation
of the monarchy on the third day there
after.
No man can correctly say that the Queen
owed her downfall to the interference of
American forces. The revolution was ear
ried through by the representatives, now
largely re- enforced, Of the same public
sentiment which forced the monarchy 10
its knees in 1887: which suppressed the in
surrecti0n in 1889. and which for twenty
years has been battling for represen-
tative government in this country. If the
American forces had been absent the rev.
OlutiOn would have taken place, for the
sufficient cause for it had nothing to do
with their presence.
l, therefore, in all friendship for the
Government of the United States, which
you represent, and desiring to cherish
the good will of the great American people,
submit the answer of my Government to
your proposition, and ask that you will
transmit the same to the President of the
United States for his consideration.
Though the Provisional Government is
far from being "a great power" and could
not long resist the forces of the United
States in hostile attack, we deem our posi-
tlon TO be impregnable under all legal
precedents, under the principles OF diplo-
matte intercourse and in the forum of
conscience. We have done your Govern
ment no wrong; no charge of diseourtesy
is or can be brought against US. Our only
issue with your people has been that
because we revered its institutions of civil
liberty we have desired to have them extend
ed to our own distracted country, and be-
cause we honor its flag, and deeming that
its benetcens and authoritative presence
would be for the best interests of all of
our people, we have stood ready to add
our country new star TO its glory and
to cOnsummate union which we believed
would be as much for the benefit Of your
country as ours. II this is an offense we
plead guilty to 1t.
l am instructed to inform you, Mr..
Minister, that the Provisional Government
of the Hawaiian Islands respectfully and
| unhesitatngly declines to entertain the
proposition of the President of the United
States that it should surrender its author
| ity to the ex-Queen.
| This answer is made not only upon the
grounds herenbefore set forth. but upon
our sense of duty and loyalty to the brave
men whose commission we hold, who have
faithfully stood by US in the hour of trial
and whose will is the only earthly author
ity we recognize. We cannot betray the
sacred trust they have placed in our hands,
trust which represents the cause of
Christian civilization in the interests of
the whole people of these islands.
CLASfiING PARTIES.