The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-01-10

Letter to Them Saying the Government
would Not Interfere with the Repoblio
WASHINGTON, Jan. THE attention
Of President Cleveland having been
called to hint thrown out In the senate
discussion on Friday that the visit of a
certain committee Of royalists from
the Hawaiian Islands was connected in
some way with the departure of Ameri.
can ships from that locality, the presi.
dent said 70 your correspondent:
"Of course such an insinuation is
very absurd Its propriety and motive
behind IL, ! am sure, can safely be left
to the Judgment Of fair and right.
thinking Americans l am entirely
willing that all our people should know
everything know concerning the visit
Of the so.called committee of royal
uts'
Last year, in the latter part of July
or early in August three gentlemen
from Hawaii arrived here and asked
through the secretary Of state my desig
nation of time when they could have
an interview with me and present a
message from the deposed Hawaiian
queen Though I could not with pro
priety recognize them officially, ] was
not disposed to refuse them personally
the courtesy of an audience. Therefore
future day and hour were fixed for the
interview. In the meantime, at my re.
quest transmitted through the secretary
Of state, these gentlemen made known
the precise purpose of their visit in a
note, which read as follows: We, the
undersigned commissioners sent by her
majesty, Queen LiliuoKalani, request AN
audience Of the president of the United
States We desirS to ask his excellency
whether there is any hope for his doing
anything for the restoration of the con.
stitutional government of the Hawaiian
Islands 1t was signed by j A Cum.
mingS, Fl A Widemann and Samuel
Parker
After this note had been submitted
TO me prepared in writing with some
care a reply to the question it contained,
TO he read by me to the commissioners
at our meeting. ! intended TO avoid all
misunderstanding and misConCeptiou by
absolutely COnfning myself to such writ.
ten reply. of which the following is a
copy:
'GENTLEMEN--Yo must permit ME
20 remind you that this interview is not
an official one, and that instead of re.
ceivtng you in any representative capac.
ity I meet you as individuals who have
travelled long distance for the purpose
of laying a certain matter before me.
You ask if there is any hope of my
doing anything for the restoration of
the constitutional government of the
Hawaiian Islands. | suppose that this
question is largely prompted by the fact
that soon after the overturning of the
late government of the queen ! inveSti.
gated that transaction and was satisfied
that there had been such an unjustifiable
interference of aid Uf that movement on
the part Of the representatives of the
government of the United States, in its
diplomatic and naval service, as to call
for correction, not only TO rectify what
seemed to he wrong done to others,
but also through that rectification to
ward off what appeared TO be danger to
American honor and probity.
Fully appreciating the constitutional
limitations of my executive power, and
by no means uumindful of the hin.
ORANGES that might arise. | undertook
the task
Having failed in my plans, COM
mitted the entire subject to the congress
of the United states. which had abun.
dant power and authority in the prem.
ises. The executive branch Of the gov.
ernment was thereby discharged from
further duty and responsibility in the
matter, unless moved thereto by con.
gressiOnal command The congress has.
both by its action and its commission ia
act, siguitied that nothing need be done
touching American interference with
the overthrow Of the government Of the
queen.
Quite lately a government has been
established in Hawaii which is in full
force and operation in all parts of the
islands. IL is maintaining its authority
and discharginE all ordinary govern.
mental functions. Upon general prin.
ciples, and not losing sight of the spe.
cial circumstances surrounding this
case, the new government is clearly ell.
titled to our recognition without regard
20 any of the incidents which accompa
MED or preceded ITS inauguration.
This recognition and the attitude
of the congress- concerning Hawaiian
AFFAIRS, vi CouIsot leu W an dpSolute ue
nial of the least present or future aid OF
encouragement on my part to an effort
to restore any government heretofore
exiting in the Hawaiian Islands
when the day appointed for the
meeting arrived I was confined to my
bed by illness and unable to keep my
engagement, l, therefore, signed the
paper had expected to read, and it was
delivered to the commissioners. who
believe, returned at once to Hawaii
never saw any member Of this oommis
sion or committee, and have never had
any communication or transaction with
any Of them directly or indirectly. ex
cept rs have here stated"