The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-03-26

concealed in hardware store, and, 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 es-
capped.
In the meanwhile Mr.. John L. Ste
vens, United States Minister to Ha-
waii, who was away up to this time, re-
turned to Honolulu after the Commit
tee of Safety had been formed. He is
sued the following request to Captain
G.. c. Wiltse, of the United States
crusier Boston:
| 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 American life
and property.
John l.. STEVENS.
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States
Captain Wilrse had already anticipa
ted the request of the Minister, and
issued the following order:
"HoNOLULU, Jan. 16, 1898.
| 'L'EUTENANT COMMANDER W. L. SWIM
BURNE. UNITED STATES NAVY, EXECU-
TIVE OFFICER or TiNITED ST r,ES CRIrIS-
Err BOST N,
"Sir:-You will take command of the
battalion, and land in Honolulu for the
pur pose of protecting our legation, consul
late, and the lives and property Of Ameri-
can citizens, and to assist in preserving
| order.
'Great prudence must be exercised by
both officers and men, and 10 action taken
that is not fully warranted by the cOndi-
ton of affairs and by the conduct of those
| American citizens.
| on Will inform me at the earliest pos
sible moment of any change in the situa-
| ton.
VERY respectfully,
&c. c. W1LTsE.
handing United States Cruiser Boston. -
The troops were landed, and during
the day divided into small squads. A
part were placed to guard the United
States Legation, small squad sent to
the Consulate, and eight to the home
of an American resident named Hop
per. AS the troops had no tents the
Minister secured quarters for them
from royalist.
There has probably been more whole
sale lying, in print and out of print,
about the action of Minister Stevens
and Captain Willse than about any
other subject since the days of Anan-
las. The day after the landing of the
troops, the queens cabinet called on
Minister Stevens to ask the aid of the
United 5 ates marines in sustaining
the queen against the Provisional Gov
eminent then in course of formation.
Mi lister Stevens answered:
"Gentlemen: these men We're landed
for one purpose only, pacific pur-
pose, and we cannot take part in any
contest. | cannot use this force for
sustaining the queen or anybody else"
This remark was made and this as
surance given before the Queen had
been deposed, and her cabinet knew
that the United States troops would
not interfere in the affair in any way.
Thlrtytwo armed citizens of the
Committee of Safety marched to the
government building and took posses
sion of it. The constitution had not
been formally promulgated, and it is
said, was never signed by all The cabi-
net. The ministers fed, the guard
went to the police quarters, and the
unfortunate queen was deserted by
every one save her marshal, Mr.. Will
son, who through all her adversities
has remained her truest friend. 1t is
SAID that Mr.. Wilson warned her
against an attempt to pronulgate the
new constitution. 'sIt you do, it will
be your ruin,'' he declared, "but
shall stand or fall with you" If Mr..
Wilson made this assertion, he kept
his word. To his credit be it said he
was The only friend of The queen who,
IN the hour OF trial, displayed any
pluck. But he had not a soldier or
policeman to aid him, and thirts two
men seized the government.
Hon. S. B. Dole, chief justice of the
Supreme Court, resigned his position
when the trouble began and was made
a member of the Committee of Safety,
and later, on the organization of the
Provisional Government became its
president.
After the failure of the effort to Sc
cure annexation nf the islands to the
! United States, and the defeat of the
project TO restore the Queen, the Pro-
visional Government became perma-
nent government. A constitution was
framed and Hon S. B. Dole selected
as president for the term of six years.
A wiser choice could not have been
made. Mr.. Dole is a brave, honora-
bic, conservative gentleman. He is a
statesman beyond corruption, and,
while dignifed, is utterly devoid of
any of the silly pomposity which so
often characterizes men who think
themselves grea'. He is easily ap-
preached, open and hn, e., and capa-
Die ct beng a rhc h',i IF m'irh
lar-er country 'hin Hawaii.
Ohm K. MUsICK
All last winter Nj Geo. \. Mills, o
Lebaaon. Conn, badly afflicted with
rl,a