Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-05-25
HAS THE CURTAIN BEEN RUNG
DOWN?

The concurrence Of two disclosures
with regard to affairs in Hawaii is full
of suggestion and significance We
refer to the sudden elation of the roy
alists coupled with a corresponding
depression on the part of the republi-
cans and, almost simultaneously, the
angry demonstration of England in
the cases the two leaders of sedition,
Richard and Walker. Mr.. Thurston,
who recently was the Hawaiian en-
voy to the United States, is reported
as declaring that he has abandoned
hope of maintaining republican form
of government in his country, and as
advocating the revival of the mon
archy. England, by the way of illus
trating Mr.. Thurston's discourage
ment and despair, now nenaces the
struggling and feeble civilization of
Hawaii under pretext of wish to as
sert the British citizenship of two
worthless criminals and vagabonds who
have been punished only too lightly
for their murderous wickedness
The two developments appear togeth-
er. They move upon us hand in
hand, twin omens of sorrow and dis
aster to the cause of human liberty
and enlightened government in
Hawaii.
How much cXaggeration there may
be in either or both of these reports
it is difficult now to say. Possibly
there is a great deal; probably there
is very little. Beyond question the
royalists are greatly jubilant just now
Both here and in Hawaii, the enemies
of free institutions have discovered,
quite recently, vast confidence and
exultation. They speak with more
scorn and enmity than ever of 1.-The
Yankee missionaries, and indulge
in unwonted boasts of speedy and con-
elusive triumph over them. 1t is
only too evident that new perils are
gathering about the young republic
which has cried to us for succor and
been repulsed. Clearly, fresh hope
has been infused into those who clam
or for its ruin and extinction. Posi-
bly, Mr. Thurston has been incorrectly
reported. 1t may be that his despair
relates not to the continued existence
of free government in Hawaii but to
the prospects OF obtaining encourage
ment or aid OF even friendly neutrali-
ity, here. We know that he left
Washington profoundly discouraged
in that respect, and quite convinced
that his government had nothing to
hope for from ours. 1t is quite con-
therefore that, whilst he
may not have actually recommended
the abdication of Mr.. Dole and his
coadjutors, he announced the con-
viction that such result was newt
able.
But there seems TO be no doubt as
to the part England is preparing to
play in this sad and miserable comedy. |
The indications are all too plain that |
she is about to inaugurate policy of
and intimidation, of men |
ace and encroachment. under the fell
shadow of which the Dole government
will lose its strength and courage and
by which the royalist
may at last achieve their
purpose AS for the pretext that has
been set up, that is hardly worthy of
serious consideration. Both these
men, Richard and Walker, are known
to have acquired full Hawaiian citizen
ship, and therefore, to have relinquish- !
ed any otherthey may have previously |
claimed. The pretense Lord Kimberly |
uses as stalking horse is SO flimsy
as to be insulting. But it will serve. |
If England can declare a grievance
against Nicaragua, fix her compen-
sation as she wills, and then, without |
let or hindrance, land troops. seize a
custom house, and effect military &C.
cupation until tribute shall have been
axtorted, surely she may do as much
and more i'll distant, friendless, and |
forlorn Hawaii.
Verify it looks as though the cur
tain has been rung down upon civil
zation in Observation-Disclosures Post.