Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-13
Mr.. GRAY'S SPEECH
He Continues His Defense of the
Presidents Hawaiian Policy.
SEVERE CRITICISM OF MIR. STEVENS
The Flag Incident Alluded to and
Justified.
MR.. BLOUNT'S OFFICE

A bill was reported by Senator Coke CTex.)
the protection of fish in the Potomac river.
Senate bill making labor day. the first
Monday Of September. legal holiday was
reported by Mr.. Kyle from the committee
on education and placed on file.
MIR. Gray Resumes His Speech.
Then. at $780, Senator Gray of Delaware
resumed his argument on the Hawaiian
resolution.
He reiterated his statements of yesterday
that the revolutionary leaders were not
willing to carry out their plans until as
sured of the support from the United States
forces and read an affidavit in which it was
deposed that John II. Soper, now comman-
der of the provisional military forces at
Hawaii, had declined first to accept this
command, but afterward accepted, saying:
Il have had satisfactory assurances from
the old man himself minister Stevens) that
the American forces will give their support,
and intend to take a hand"
The Senator proceeded to argue that the
provisional government could not have stood
one hour without the support of the United
States forces.
Severe on Mr. Stevens.
He also quoted from the letter OF Mr.
Dole and other members of the provisional
government declaring their inability TO pre-
vent disorders and praying that the Ameri-
can flag be raised for the protection Of the
Hawaiian Islands. Even to Mr.. Blount MIR.
Dole stated that the provisional govern
ment could not have got along without the
aid Of United States troops There is no
doubt from the evidence" said he, that
Mr.. Stevens long before this had been ac-
lively promoting what he calls annexation
sentiment and that he was in close commu-
nication with those desiring to bring about
a change in the government and setting up
another that would treat with the United
States, or, as the President says. bring
about a state Of things in which the United
States would represent both sides or the
bargain. He used the United States forces
to attain that result. In view OF all this
there ought not to be two opinions as TO
the duty of the President"
The President Defended.
Every patriotic American ought to see
that his duty was to withdraw this treaty
ard rescue our government from the dis
honorable and disgraceful attitude in which
it had been placed by the unauthorized
acts of this petty minister to petty king
dom. The executive in disregard of the
calumny of his partisan opponents dared
to do the right thing. He dared to do that
which will stand the scrutiny of the years
to come and will commend to the postertty
that comes after US the wisdom, the honor
and the integrity Of government that they
will have inherited. The executive has ap-
pealed to the honor and Judgment of his
countrymen, and l am willing to abide the
result of that appeal
The Flag Incident.
T. great deal has been said about the
American flag being hauled down at Hawaii.
l say that when the flag of the United
States is hauled up by the order Of a DEM
ocratic President it will be hauled up under
circumstances that will keep it where it is
until the winds of heaven have blown it
into rags. 1t will never be hauled up in
dishonor, SO as to put the great people
whose symbol of power and authority it is
to the blush. 1t will never misrepresent the
magnanimity and greatness and courage of
the people of the United States as il did
when it was hauled up at the request of
this revolutionary junta in the Hawaiian
Islands; hauled up because a revolutionary
government which the American minister
has established. though they could not con-
tinue 1t any longer except under the pro-
lection OF its told; hauled up by the author
ity of President Dole-by his command
The American people will commend a Pres
ident who dares to do the right thing and
is not deferred by the mere clamor and
jingoism that is sought to be injected into
this government.
Mr.. BlOunt's OMce.
The position filled by Commissioner
Blount. said Senator Gray. was not an office
in the constitutional sense such as required
confirmation by the Constitution Chief
Justice Marshall had defined an office under
the Constitution, to be such a position or
trust as continued In being Notwithstanding
the person die or vacate the trust. The DO
sition occupied by Mr. Blount no longer
continued the moment he resigned o. ceased
to be commissioner.