St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-03-27


the long parliament in CromwelPs
time, was in session until the more
respectable members were compelled
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,
hurriedly passed the bills known as
the Opium" and Lottery" bills.
The decent and respectable people
OF Hawaii saw the danger that men
aced them. The missionaries realized
that the race just rescued from
heathendom was about to be exposed
to all the vices of civilization, and a
land today filled with churches and
school houses, about to become the
Monte Carlo OF the Western Henri
sphere. Another class of Americans
looked on with alarm at the condition
Of affairs-those who had business
interests at stake which were in
jeopardy. Aparty of Christian ladies
waited on the queen and petitioned
her not to sign the odious bills. tits
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.
Meetings were held, and some dis
cussed taking measures to avert
moral and financial ruin. The queen
prorogued the legislature, dismissed
her cabinet and appointed in its
place set OF ministers obnoxious to
most of the respectable people of the
islands. The excitement was now
at its height. This high-handed
trampline 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 themselves.
The queen announced that she was
going to give her people new con-
stitution. The new constitution
was written and signed, but she
failed to get the signatures Of all her
cabinet. The document never came
to light. but it is known that it pro-
vided for the disiranchisement OF all
white men not married to native
women. and that only the property
of the whites should be liable tor
taxes.
The committee of safety organized
and formed in companies. Arms
were concealed in a hardware store,
and, on the morning of Jan. II,
1898, John Good, now Captain
Good, Mr.. Benner, and two others,
started with them to the armorv 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 John L. Stevens,
United States minister to Hawaii,
who was away up to this time,
returned to Honolulu after the com.
mittee of safety had been formed.
ae issued the following request to
Captain 6. c. Wiltse, OF the United
States Cruiser Boston:
"SIR:-In view of the existing critical
circumstances in Honolulu, indicating an
inadequate force, request you to land
marines and sailors from the ship under
your command for the protection OF the
United States Legation and United
States Consulate, and to secure Ameri-
can life and property.
John L. STEyESs.
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentlary of the United States"
Captain Wiltse had already antici-
pated the request of the minister,
aud issued the following order:
HONOLULU, Jan. 16, 1898.
Lieutenant Commander w. T. Swim
burne, United States Navy, Execu-
tive Officer of United States Cruiser
Boston.
"SIR You will take command of the
battalion and land in Honolulu for the
purpose OF protecting our legation, con-
sulate, ard the lives and property of
American citizens, and to assist in pre-
serving order.
Great prudence must be exercised by
both officers and men, and no action
that is not fully warranted by the con-
duct of those who may be inimcal to the
treaty rights of American citizens.
You will inform me at the earliest