The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-12-09
OUR ROTATIONS WITH HAWAII.
Speech of Hon. j. f. Stallings OF
Alabama, In the House of Repre-
sentatives, Tuesday, February
9, 1894.
Continued from yesterdoy)

Then it will be seen, MIR. Speaker,
by these extracts from the CORE
spondence with our consular agents
and ministers, what has been the
universal policy OF our Government
in its dealing with other friendly
powers This policy was very dis
tinctly laid down by MIR. Blaine in
his note of instructions to Mr..
Stevens. There has never been any
change OF policy from Washington
to Cleveland. Our diplomatic agents
have not been permitted to partici-
pate in any manner in the internal
affairs or political controversies OF
the country to which they are accre-
dited. They are not even allowed
to express an opinion on any local
issue, and certainly not on political
controversies. These principles
were distinctly embodied and en-
braced in Mr.. Stevens instructions,
and we have at all times exacted
strict compliance with them from
diplomatic agents stationed in the
United States.
During Mr.. Cleveland's former
administration England was polite
ly requested to recall her minister
then in the United States, and his
passports were furnished him for
very slight violation OF this well
established American doctrine. Now,
MIR. Speaker, in the light OF all
former precedents, there can be no
question about the limit Of Mr..
Stevens authority; no question but
that it was his duty to his own Gov.
eminent as well as that Of Hawaii,
to occupy during revolution Of the
people against the regular organized
Government strictly neutral ground.
Then the question arises. Does
the evidence which is now in posses
sion of this House, uncontroverted
evidence, show that Mr.. Stevens
aided or encouraged, countenanced
or abetted the revolution organized
to overthrow the legally constituted
Government OF Hawaii and dethrone
the Queen?
The government of these islands
was, at the time Mr.. Stevens entered
upon these duties as American min
lister to Hawaii and for many years
before, a Constitutional Monarchy,
fashioned like England's, with a
house of lords and house OF COM
mons elected by the people. There
had been petty revolutions and
changes Of the constitution, but
amidst it all constitutional govern.
ment had been maintained.
The correspondence OF Mr.. Stevens
clearly shows that early in his ad-
ministration he formed designs of
annexing these islands to the United
States. 1t appears to have been
his dream by night and the con-
slant companion of his thoughts by
day. The whole energy of his be-
ing was devoted to this plan, and it
is clearly deducible from the evi.
dence that the State Department at
Washington was not averse to lend
ing a willing ear to his seductive
scheme Nevertheless, his instruc.
tions we're in strict conformity with
the well established American doc
trine of non-interference with the
political affairs of friendly nations.
In note addressed to Mr.. Blaine.
Secretary OF State, February 8, 1892,
by Mr.. Stevens from Honolulu,
he said:
There are increasing indications
that the annexation sentiment is
growing among the business men as
we'll as with the less responsible of
the foreign and native population of
the islands. The present political
situation is feverish, and l see no
prospect OF its being permanently
otherwise until these islands become
part of the American Union or a
possession Of Great Britain. The
inf oil inanf and ron.nnn;Ll 49,. L LII