The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-03-25

airy was held UP in the light of moral
pirate, who had left his conscience oil
Cape Horn, and come TO rob and plumber
the natives as the Spaniards had done in
America, and all under the guise of
religion.
In various ways she kept her subjects
alarmed by threats 10 deprive them OF
their constitutional liberties. Tho her
salary and income from crown lands ex
ceedcd the salary of the president of the
United States by nearly twenty thousand
dollars, she was not satisfied. She was
advised TO be queen in splendor as well
as name. A crowd Of evil designing
friends were constantly about her advis-
ing her to do what they should have
known would be her ruin. There were
nearly two thousand Americans and over
one thousand Germans, as well as many
English, at this time living on the islands
who did not believe in the divine rights
of kings. Many of these had, by thrift
and honest toll, accumulated property
amounting to millions. With them 1t
was business proposition. Should they,
in order TO maintain a tradition born in
the dark days of barbarism, and Graded
in ignorance and superstition, yield up
the hard earnings of their lifetimes
Among the other schemes to replenish
the depleted treasury of the queen was
what is known as the lottery. The orig
inator of this was Mr.. Thomas E. Evans,
whose wife was maid of honor to the
queen, and who had held some offices
under the kings.
After the Louisiana Lottery had been
driven out OF the United States, Its back
ers and supporters began to look about
for some place convenient TO America
where the gigantic swindle might be re-
suscitated. The Hawaiian Islands were
regarded as the most convenient place.
Mr.. Evans went TO Chicago, where he
met the capitalists willing to engage 10
the enterprise. An arrangement was
made whereby the Chicago capitalists,
providing the franchise was granted,
were to pay the Hawaiian government the
sum OF five hundred thousand dollars per
annum for the term of twenty-five years.
At the time the lottery bill was being
agitated 10 the legislature, another bill,
fully as odious TO all decency and morals,
known as the "Opium Bill" was
brought up.
The queens cabinet was composed of
men who inspired confidence in the minds
of the people, but they did not prove
sufficient 10 check their headstrong ruler.
The legislature, like the Long Parliament
in Cromwell's time, was 10 session until
the more respectable members were COM
PEELED to leave for their homes to attend
to their business. They had scarcely left
before the opium and lottery men, taking
advantage OF their absence, hurredly
passed the bills known as the "Opiumn
and LOTTERY" bills.
The decent and respectable people OF
Hawaii saw the danger that menaced
them. The missionaries realized that
the race just rescued from heathendom
was about to be exposed to all the
vices OF civilization, and land to-day
filled with churches and school houses,
about to become the Monte Carlo Of the
Western Hemisphere. Another class of
Americans looked on with alarm at the
condition of affairs-those who had bust.
ness interests at stake which were in
jeopardy. A party OF Christian ladies
waited on the queen and petilioned her
not to sign the odious bills. 1t is said
she wept with them they prayed with
her and left, assured she would veto the
bills, but she signed them almost as soon
as they were gone.
The alarm spread and increased. Meet
ings were held, and some discussed la
king measures to avert moral and finan-
cial ruin. The queen prorogued the
legislature, dismissed her cabinet, and
appointed in its place a set of ministers
obnoxious 10 most of the respectable
people of the Islands. The excitement
was now at its height. This high-handed
trampling on the liberties OF people, many
Of whom were born on the islands, was
resented. A Committee of Safety was
formed, and citizens began to arm them,
selves.
The queen announced that she was GO
ing TO give her people new constitution.
The new constitution was written and
signed, but she failed to get the sigma.
lures OF all her cabinet. The document
never came to light, but it is known
that IL provided for the Acknowledgement
of all white men not married to native
women, aud that only the property of the
whites should be liable for taxes.
The Committee of Safety organized and
formed in companies. Arms were con-
ceaIed in a hardware store, aud, on the
morning of Jan. II, 1898, Mr.. John Good,
now Captain Good, Mr.. Benner, and two
others, started with them to the armory
of the Committee of Safety. On Fort
Street they were attacked by the police.
Captain Good fired and wounded one
man, and Mr.. Benner knocked another
down with the butt OF his whip, and thus
they escaped.
In the meanwhile Mr. John l.. Stevens,
United States minister to Hawaii, who
was away up to this time, returned to
Honolulu after the Committee OF Safety
had been formed. He issued the follow
Ing request to Captain G. 9. Wiltse, of
the United States Cruiser Boston:
"sIR In view of the existing critical cireum-
stances in Honolulu, indicating an inadequate
force, l request you to land marines and sailors
from the ship under your S command for the pro;
United States Consulate, and to secure American
life and property
John l.. STEVENS.
Envoy Extra ordinary and Minister Plenipo-
Tertiary ofthe United States"
Captain Wiltse had already anticipated
the request OF the minister, and issued
the following order:
"HoNoLuLu, jan l6. 1898.
+" LIEUTENANT COMMANDER w. T, SwINBURNE,
UNITED STATES NAVY, EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
UNITED STATES CRUISER BosToN.
"SIR You will take command of the battalion,
and land In Honolulu for the purpose of protect
ing our legation, consulate and the lives and
property of American citizens, and to assist in
preserving order.
''Great prudence must be exercised by both Off
GERS and men, and action taken that is not
fully warranted by the condition of affairs and by
tn G conduct of those who may be inimcal to the
treaty rights of American citizens.
"You will inform me at the earliest possible
moment Of any CHI ange In the situation.
VERY respectfully,
G. C. WILrsE.
"Captain, United States Navy, Commanding Un-
ifad Glatas Crusier Russian