The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-12-16
Continued from fSt page)

was to be seen except the landing OF
formidable armed force with gat-
ling guns, evidently fully prepared
to remain on shore for an indefinite
length OF time, as the men we're sup
piled with double cartridge belts
filed with ammunition, also haver-
sacks and canteens, and were attend
ed by hospital corps with stretch
ers and medical supplies, The
curiosity of the people on the streets
was aroused, and the youngsters,
more particularly, followed the
troops to see what it was all about"
To sum up, Mr.. Speaker, these event 8
which crowded themselves upon each
other with such rapidity that the
human mind fails to grasp them, it
will be seen on Saturday, the 14th
day of January, the Committee OF
Safety first met; on Monday, the
18th, our forces landed and took
possession Of the island; on Tuesday
the 18th, the Provisional Govern.
ment was proclaimed, and on Thurs
day the 10Th, commissioners were
appointed and sailed in vessel
ready for the occasion to conclude a
treaty Of annexation and cession
with the United States of the Sand
witch Islands. Then, sir, it will be
seen that in thirty-two days they
had dethroned the Queen, establish
ed Provisional Government, COM
missioners had been appointed with
power to cede the islands TO the
United States, they travelled 5000
miles by land and water, conferred
with the Secretary of State and
President OF the United States the
terms Of annexation, and arranged
and submitted the same
to the United States Senate for their
ratification.
Why this unseemly haste during
the closing hour of MIR. Harrison's
administration? We are simply dazed
with the rapidity with which this
Government has been torn down,
blotted off the map of nations, and
its territory disposed of to another
power. This Mr.. Speaker, is but
brief and imperfect summary of the
facts which go to make up the case
against Mr.. Stevens, and demand
the vote OF this House in condemna-
ton of his course as diplomat and
agent of our Government. The
proof is accessible in the possession
of this House, sustaining every pro-
position contended for--but why
consume time in further discussing
the FIRST clause OF this resolution?
Mr.. Stevens must be censured and
his actions disowned by this House.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, we come to the
discussion of the other branch of
this resolution reported by the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. 1t says:
Second. That we heartily APP
prove the principle announced by
the President OF the United States,
that interference with the domestic
affairs of an independent nation is
contrary to the spirit of American
institutions"
This is clear-cut unequivocal
statement OF our position and policy
in dealing with foreign nations. 1t
is not only the doctrine of the Dem
ocratic party in dealing with indie
pendent foreign nations, but every
Democrat insists that the same doc
trine should be applied in dealing
with States Of this Union, and that
the Federal Government should not
interfere with the domestic or local
affairs Of any State.
! want to say to my Republican
friends on the other side of this
Chamber that we indorse this doc
trine as laid down by Grover Cleve-
land, and we will also indorse his
Interpretation OF this doctrine when
he was called on to apply it in this
controversy with Hawaii. You all
know that it is correct and fully in
accord with every precedent estab-