New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-06
THE CORUTN'S MESS1GE T..

To nut It as cOnservatively ~ possible, Mr.
Cleveland seems 10 have gone 10 the limits of
improperly I'm his treatment Of Congress III
connection with the Hawaiian affair The news
from Auckland that Minister Willis has made
a formal demand upon President Dole and the
Provisional Government for their sef-cxtincfion
and for the re-cnthronement Of the Queen
would prove, If confirmed. that th" message
sent from Washington by the Corwin was an
instruction to our representative 10 persist in
the course which public opinion had plainly
condemned. and which Congress was AT that
moment starting Ia investigate. IT is true mat
Mr.. Cleveland frightened at The possible con-
SEQUENCES OF the use OF force has conceded
that he does not possess the power TO command
American troops 10 discharge their guns until
Congress has said the word. But he made no
such concession until it was wrung from him,
and he took especial pains 10 clear the Corwin
for Honolulu before the concession escaped liiil
Political slibservcncc could not 20 much FUR
Their than by supporting the President In any
Illegal and improper acts, and it is supporting
them not 10 denouncc and forbid them. The
President has almost maniac's elfsriiiclency.
lie looks upon himself rs Il heaven selected and
aforementioned person. to whom the affairs Of
this country have been committed and into
whose decisions error canno, creep. This Is
what he means when he calls an ouburSt or
public sentiment noise and camor" 1t is
what he means when he tells man who has
some respect for himself and for his neghborS
that he must not yield 10 public opinion.
II IS what he means by confusing himself with
the people. and by the complaccnt tone in which
he says that the people desire this or are OPP
e.. tbnf ha desires If and
that he is opposed to it. And it is only vague
notion OF seeming irreverence that prevents
him from n confusion Of terms even more sig
niNcant OF his belief that his thoughts and his
will result from inspiration and that any one
who opposes them breaks the First COnnanl-
mcnt Only on this theory Is ii ut all credi-
bic that the President, after Congress had
called for the papers in the Hawaiian coniro-
yersy after resolutions had been introduced
condemning The plans OF the Executive. aud
after II was apparent that Congress intended
To take the matter under advisement could
have dispatched Il Government vessel To the
scene Of the difficulty with instructions 10 our
Minister 10 go on with policy SO repugnant
to the people.
Fortunately the men In charge Of the Gov
eminent in Hawaii understand the American
Constitution better than President Cleveland
does They understand him and the temper or
the American public better than h. does. They
know his characteristics and not less the lin
irallons of his power. and they know that he
cannot succeed In nhicing upon them the In
iuri.s and humiliations to which he may have
committed himself His orders. therefore. II lie
has really given any will not br obcyed. The
Provisional Government will not surrender.
The Queen will not be renstacd. The Amcrl-
can troops will not make war. Nevertheless he
has done much injury to American interests,
and unless he IL promptly checked he may sue
ceel in nhictIng injuries more serious. He has
already obtained for the United States the con
tempt and cnmity Of both the Hawaiian fac
tions Of the Queens because lie lacks the final
courage Of his convictions. and the peoples be-
cause his convictions are hopelessly wrong.
| But before the situation has become more scrl-
ously complicated before new embarrassmcnts
| have arisen and new troubles developed. Con-
grcss should declare an American policy in
| Hawaii and should give proof 10 the Govern
mcnt of that country that IFS friendly offers
are appreciated