The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-04-03
or THE DARK DAYS.


Rev. q. y. Emerson. address ut the
American League hall last night held
the closest attention Of large audience
throughout. The speaker was frequently
applauded. His general subject was
"Hawaii's case at Washington" aud his
theme at was Our Opportunity" In a
sketchy, entertaining style the speaker
reviewed events at Washington and on
the Islands during the intense period
when the fate OF the Provisional Govern
ment was hanging IN the balance. The
trying time was of course in the middle
Of December. II was then that the
Annexatiunists here viudicaicd the
claims OF their representatives at
Washington. When the determined
men OF Honolulu resisted and deiied the
autocrats OF the White House, it was
then that liberty loving people said with
out reserve: "rhis Is movement oi
patriots. ut was then that all realized
and declared the bad faith OF the admins
istration. The latter did not at any
time consider the question at issue ON
its merits. President Cleveland and
Secretary Gresham were simply decided
to discredit cX-President Harrison. This
was plainly shown by the hasty and
secret dispatch OF Mr.. Blount, by the
special private work Of the paramount
envoy and by the acceptance OF his re-
port as gospel truth. On the other
hand was the ill-conccaled effort to be-
smirch Minister Stevens. 1t was some
time before the truth came out and won
the American people. Mr.. Emerson
says they first endeavored TO work on
Administration lines" Every effort
was made to molliiy Mr.. Cleveland.
This task was marked by signal failure.
The President would listen to nothing
in behalf OF the Provisional Government.
He had Blount's report and that was
enough for him. The difficulties in
the way OF reaching the public at first
appeared almost insurmountable. In
the beginning but two newspapers and
only handful OF Congressman were
with Hawaii. After the history of
December Is, II and Is was made there
was complete revolution OF sentiment.
Contradictions of Blount's statements
were followed by production OF masses
OF facts in favor OF the Provisional Cow
eminent. There was the keenest sort OF
Il demand for information. Congress
men were eager to learn, Senators asked
papers sought interviews, every letter
from Hawaii was snapped up, every
person who had visited the Islands was
solicited to speak. The ladies
became interested, churches ar
rayed themselves. The Pro-
visional Government was commended
everywhere and the Islands were fol
days the sole topic of conversation. As
is always the case the great American
public took the side of the right, and OF
the weak against the strong and oppres.
sive. Mr.. Emerson spoke especially OF
the services of Senator Morgan, Mr.
Thurston and Professor Alexander. In
conclusion the speaker urged harmon
ious action in building up State.
Mr.. j. o. Emerson spoke for fifteen
minutes on the influence of the old
chiefs on Hawaiian character. 1t is al.
ways pleasure to hear this gentle
man. His life study of the Islands and
the people has made him an authority
on all matters pertaining to them. MIR
Emerson spoke of the grandeur of char
acter developed in some of ALI re
representatives., of their nobility of pur
pose, of their endeavor to inculcat,
traits of genuine manhood, of theil
Spartan devotion to the simplest laws Of
Justice. He drew the lesson that ther,
was no wonder IN the loyalty of tn,
native to the chief and his memory.
Prof. w. ID. Alexander will address
an open meeting of the League on mex
Friday evening.