The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-09-06
FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 6, 1897
now CLEMENcY CAME.

NV NrA@A@@H ff~'h.
In its utterances this morning on
the subject OF clemency for political
prisoners the 'ziSer is almost as
pessimistic as it was in 90 when 1t
advised surrender of the Provisional
Government to the monarchists.
The 'Tiser cannot understand the
motives of those who have advo-
Gated the policy of peaceful settle
ment endorsed by the Cabinet and
the Council OF State. 1t can see
but foolish fickleness or political
plot behind the movement. There
is neither absence of stability or
evidence of a shrewd campaign
maneuver. However, it is but
natural that any element Of the
country should act politically with
that other element which had
shown at least fairness.
There have been two situations
here during the year. In the first,
armed men assailed the Govern
ment, defied its authority, sought
the lives of its administrators and
supporters, provoked disorder, Gre
ated revolution.
Then the weak sisters who now
combat and frown upon the policy
of executive clemency were for
temporizing for compromise, for
well considered action" for gentle
dealing, for palaver, for anything
except a decisive, positive stand,
requiring courage. They were
afraid of the insurgents.
AT the ..me Of the uprising the
men who have lately advocated the
exercise of clemency, were for deal
ing with the revolution as they
found it. They were for meeting
armed assault with armed attack.
They were for crushing out the
army organized and operating
against the constituted authority Of
the land. They were for driving
from Hawaii the idea Of govern
ment other than by modern civil
lied methods.
Mandy -pambyism prevailed. Side
issues were dragged in. Discrim-
nations were made as to persons
and nationalities. Penalties were
imposed that it was never intended
should be inflicted. A makeshift
settlement was made.
Very soon the whole face Of the
situation was changed. Whatever
had been the situation in January
and it was one of serious revolu-
ton if such ever existed-midsum-
mer presents to view quite another
scene of the rapid moving panor-
anna. Those who had been mem
bers of insurgent bands are become
in fact political prisoners. They
are so known and accepted at home
and abroad. By some process of
disinfecting the faint of revolt
against government is obliterated
from them. They are political
prisoners"--men held in goal on ac-
count OF their political opinions.
The element which has taken a
stand for clemency does not believe
in the political prisoner as part of
the household or machinery or man
agement or trust or possession Of a
Republic. To have him is impoli-
tic, unchristian, hampering, down
right wrong. The element that has
no use for the political prisoner can
not share the fears of those who
find governmental security in prison
walls any more than it could in
January share the opinion that a
full-blast revolution was an affair
to be handled with hating deliber-
alton.
The '7iSer intinfation that the
militiamen and Citizens Guards
men are sulking over the release Of
political prisoners is far from being
warranted. In fact there are no
grounds for it at all. The backbone
of the country has boldly urged
clemency from principle and is
willing to see even more Of it ex-
tended.