The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-16

American flag over Honolulu and
proclaimed a protectorate in the
name of the United States over the
Islands, ordering United States ma
rines from the Boston ashore to pro-
tect American interests. His action
in establishing protectorate was
not approved by the Harrison adj
ministration, but his other acts re
ceived full endorsement. Mr. Stevens,
however, had the satisfaction of
knowing that his course was largely
approved by that very large portion of
the American people who regard the
annexation of the Islands as inevi
table in the near future. The course
of Hawaiian affairs since the incom-
ing of the Cleveland administration,
is we'll known and need not be re-
viewed at this time. The provisional
government has been erected into a
republic and recently roralst in
surrection has been successfully over
come and Liliuokalani has abdicated
and promised allegiance to the re-
public of Hawaii in order to save
herself from merited punishment for
completely in the late instruction.
Mr.. Stevens died without seeing the
realization of his hopes in the annex
alton of the Islands to the United
States. That he acted from patri-
otto spirit, and with statesman's in
sight into the future. will not be
questioned by those who knew the
man and understood the high motives
that always characterized his diplo-
matte action. In letter addressed
to the Editor of The UNIvERsALIsT,
written at Honolulu, May 4, 1898,
Mr.. Stevens succinctly explained the
situation on the Islands in the fol-
lowing words:
by several copies of The UNIvER-
sALIsT, received at this Legation, 1
learn that you take lively interest
in the Hawaiian question, which, in
reality is great American, as well as
a highly important Christian ques-
ton. The real issue here is not that
of sugar, pushed by selfish planters,
as has been represented in the United
States by portion of the American
press, and especially so by the Lon
don newspapers. The establishment
of the present Provisional Govern
ment, in place of the dead and worse
than useless monarchy, was the re-
suit OF necessity and it is supported
by nearly all the responsible people
of the Islands. The question in is
sue is whether Christian civilization
and good government shall prevail
on these Islands, or they shall be
given over to semi-heathenism, an
archy and Polynesian and Asiatic
sensualism.
This outpost of American and
Christian influence, fronting the
400, 100000 of China and Japan, can
easily be held for Americas great flu
ture and Christianity's great work in
the Pacific, if the American people
and their Government will promptly
do their duty"
These are the words, not of a
scheming politician, nor of diplo-
mat seeking only to secure a temper
airy standing ground for bis party,
but of conscientious and high
minded Christian Statesman, alive
not only to the question of his coun-
try's future but also to the advantages
which would come to the Hawaiian
people and the sunny and beautiful
Islands of the \ orth Pacific, by their
incorporation into the American
Union. 1t was to this end that Mr..
Stevens, with patriotic determination,
raised the flag over the Islands. In
this he may have exceeded the strict
letter of his authority as Minister, but
his act became symbol of the future,
when, in his own words, "these gems
of the ocean will be accepted and
placed among the jewels of Americas
future crown of empire and glory"
In the death of Mr.. Stevens the
infant republic of Hawai- loses
powerful friend and the American
people tried and true statesman
whose name will be honorably re-
membered in our diplomatic history.
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