The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-04


Publications were exchanged.
The difference is very striking between
the treatment OF Mr.. SEVERANCE and Mr..
CARGO In those days, and the treatment Of
Mr.. STEVENS In ours. What was then re-
garded as the alert observation and valuable
| Information OF diplomatic representative.
alive TO the interests Of his country, is now
denounced by CLEVELAND and his followers
as an unprecedented offence. and 1t might
almost be supposed that they had never
heard Of Mr.. SEVERANCE or Mr.. GREGG
| at all.
Coming TO later days. during Secretary
Stewards charge OF the State Department,
in 1868, Mr.. SPAUBDINa. who then repre-
eentcd US in Hawaii reported the existence
OF annexation sentiment, and President
JOHNSON made his memorable declaration
that the good will and forbearance OF all ma
tions we're expected toward Hawaii. until
the people Of tho islands shall Of themselves
at no distant day voluntarily apply for adj
mission to the Union" few years later,
Minister PIERCE wrote TO Secretary FISH
that the time was ripe for beginning meas
ures for the annexation OF the islands TO the
United States, the same to be effected as
the manifest will and choice OF the maIori-
ty Of the Hawaiian people," It Is hardly
necessary to say that Secretary FISH did
not abuse the Minister for this information,
though he told him that there was not then
in the possession OF the Government SUM-
cient information touching the population.
resources. and debts OF the islands to
decide the policy which must soon be con-
sidered with respect to the relations they
are to maintain toward this Government"
Under Mr.. HAYES. our Minister ut Homo
lulu again informed the authorities at
Washington Of the talk about annexation
prevailing in the islands; and the succeed
ing Minister. under President ARTHUR. gave
information which caused Secretary BLAINE
to announce that "if through any cause
neutrality should be found by Hawaii i'm
practicable. this Government would then
unhesitatingly meet the altered situation
by seeking avowedly an American solution
Of the grave issues presented"
With such record. 1t Is obvious that tho
familiar experience OF q long series Of our
Ministers at Honolulu. and of our successive
Secretaries OF State at Washington. has
been that Of finding annexation projects
prevailing in the islands, which caused re-
ports and suggestions to go forth ard back
in the diplomatic correspondence on the
subject Is it not almost incredible that
President OF the United States and
his abject following IN Congress. should
cite and denounce as unprecedented and
suspicious the similar dispatches Of Min
lister STEVENS, premonitory OF an effectual
revolution and request for annexation
then almost at hand?
1t may be answered that Minister STEVENS
was reproved by Secretary FOSTER for over
jealous encouragement Of the annexation
project: yet even in that respect we may
find an analogy between him and his prede-
cessors. The anxiety OF our Government
has always been not to hasten annexation.
but to let 1t come through voluntary Offer
Mr.. WEBSTER found 1t advisable to warn
Mr.. SEVERANCE on that point. and Mr.. MAR
cY was forced to instruct Mr.. GREGG that
our policy was not Ito accelerate or urge
on +" annexation, although that decorous ro-
hinder did not prevent him from welcoming
the offer OF annexation, just as in Mr.. STE
vESs's case any partial disavowal of his
action did not prevent the Administration ut
that time from recommending annexation.
Rebukes or admonitions OF this kind. some
OF Them 1t must be owned, rather perfume
tory. occur throughout the record. Our
representatives in foreign lands are ex-
pected to be Jealous In the pursuit OF Ameri-
can interests. as any error In that direction
can be repaired by the conservative an
nouncements OF the Government
But to see the sagacity and patriotism
OF Mr.. STEVENS denounced. as they now
are In Congress. following the lead Of Mr..
CLEVELAND. is astonishing. 1t is equallcd
only by CLEvELAND's denunciation OF the
Hawaiians themselves for seeking to enter
the Union. although that project has been
favored, the propitious time alone being
awaited. for the last forty years.