The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-08-06
HONOR is PRESERVED
M'klNLEY WIPES OUT THE POLICY OF
"PARAMOUNTlSM."

''fAhAMOONII oM
Two Events Show the Difference Between
Clevelandism and Statesmanship - Ha-
waiian Blunder Corrected The United
States viii Control the Islands.
Events now occurring in connection
with the Hawaiian Islands will wildly
recall to the mind Of the American peo-
pie an entirely different series Of events
which happened just four years ago. A
treaty was prepared in the last few
weeks Of the Harrison administration
proposing the annexation Of Hawaitto
the United States, and this treaty was
pending before the senate when Grover
Cleveland became president. There
were rumors that the new administra-
ton was not we'll disposed toward the
annexation project, but there was no
expectation thu. any steps would be
taken which would dishonor the coun-
try or injure its interests. A simple
narrative will show whether this ex-
pectation was met.
Grover Cleveland becames president
Of the United States on Saturday,
March 4. 1898. On Monday, March g,
his selection of cabinet ministers was
confirmed by the senate. The cabinet
had time to hold only oney meeting
when the country heard with surprise
that on the 9th Cleveland had with
drawn from the senate the Hawaiian
treaty. With haste that wasl insulting
to his predecessor Mr.. Cleveland made
his first move ON the Hawaiian chess
board. Still the country was patient
and waited for the full development Of
the presidents policy. It did not wish
to judge hastily. There was not long to
wait, however, for events moved rapid
ly. Meanwhile the American flag had
been raised over the Hawaiian Islands
by the responsible majorityin Honolulu
and the virtual annexation of the islands
to the United States had been pro-
claimed.
The next step of Mr.. Clev Gland was
the appointment Of special commits
sioner to the islands. Ex-Co1,gressman
Blount was selected for this office, and
he was given powers paramount" over
any one then representing the United
States at Honolulu. He was appointed
March 10, and ten days later Ihe sailed
from San Francisco for his pest Of du-
ty. April he arrived at Honolulu, and
on April IS the stars and stripes were
hauled down from the Flagstaff on
which they had been run uprand hauled
down by the order of Grover Cleveland,
president Of the United States. The
next move in the policy of infamy was
the request ON the part Of President
Cleveland's special envoy that the free
and representative government which
had been formed in Hawaii should alb
dictate and permit the return to power
of the corrupt and debauched woman
who claimed to rule by right divine
over the islands, WON an who declared
that she would behead the men who
had the courage to take the government
out Of her weak and defiled hands.
It was weeks before the American
people learned the true and full nature
of these transactions, but the truth
gradually dribbled out, and it was con-
firmed later by the official documents
laid before congress. And when the
knowledge of the affair became public
the first emotion which seized the Amer
lean people was one Of amazement at
the colossal blunder made by the admin
istration. This was succeeded by feel
ing Of shame and indignation that the
country had been disgraced and humil-
lated In the eyes of the world and that
its disgrace and humiliation were due
to q man whom 1t had raised to its
highest Office. The rest Of the story Of
the Hawaiian ignominy need not be
repeated. It is burned into the memory
| Of the American people. and genera
tionwiu pass before it will cease to
| make, their ears tingle with shame.
This was "paramountism. Three
months and half ago another admin
istration came into power. It represents
a great majority of the American peo-
pie, which the previous administration
never did, and it was elected ON the dis
tinct pledge that 1.-THE Hawaiian Islands
should be controlled by the United
States and no foreign power should be
permitted to interfere with them"
There was far more reason for sudden
and complete change in policy than ex-
listed in 1893, but the plan pursued has
been dignified and patriotic. In order
to give consistency and continuity to
the foreign policy of the nation, affairs
were permitted to work themselves out
slowly and intelligently and at last,
when 1t could be done without the ap-
pearance of a sudden and testy break,
the new policy was announced. This is
craftsmanship. Four years ago the ma
ton was Inundated by a policy
which has been rightly named "par-
amountism, and II cut proud people
to the quick to have the disgrace thrust
upon them. Today the country stands
proud and erect because it knows its
honor will be conserved. The contrast
between the two events is an object les
son as to the difference between Cleve-
landism and craftsmanship. -Philadel-
j phia Press