Evening star., 1897-01-28

sighted in her persistent refusal to resume
her authority while granting complete am
nesty TO the people who had dethroned her.
1t was practically Impossible for any peace
or quiet to have remained for her semi
heather and despotic rule so long as these
freedom loving foreigners continued in the
country. Liluokalani was not in accord
with the higher civilized sense when she
proposed to execute her enemies or to 'be-
head them. as she curiously worded 1t. l
think she proposed that method of eXecu-
ton as being less dishonorable than hang
ing. She subsequently relaxed her views
so far as to concede deportation to all con-
oerned in the revolution, together with con-
fiscation of property, life only being grant
ed them. Mr.. Willis orders were explicit.
He had no discretion whatever. He had ac-
cepted a positive commission, and had to
enforce it. He WAS in a very difficult posi-
ton between the two parties, whom he eX-
pected to readjust and reconcile to each
ether Probably the only course left to
him was the one he took. of resolutely clos
ing his ears to all information rendered
him, and going blindly forward In the exc
cution of his trust.
1t must be regarded as most grave mis-
fortune for any American to leave behind
him the unique record of having been the
agent in demanding the destruction of a
liberal republican government, and the re-
instatement of monarchy by nature
autocratic. Subjection to personal author
ity-monarchy-is the form of government
natural to uncivilized races incapable OF
exercising sober and thoughtful representa-.
tive government. The strong clllilZed
American colony, which predominates here,
necessarily demanded the latter 1t was
the irrepressible conflict between the oid
and the new. the lower and the higher
Bindly yielding himself without inquiry 10
the incredibly erring judgment of Mr.
Cleveland, Mr.. Willis entertained no doubt
that the dark-skinned queen had really
been dethroned by the United States forces,
corruptly employed by Minister Stevens in
CARRYING out policy of his deceased friend
James G. Blaine, a detested rival OF the
President
Mr.. BlOunt's Inquiry.
The actual facts were, as any openly
conducted inquiry would have made
triumphantly manifest, that the queen was
oyerthrown solely by the determined ac-
ton of the white residents Of Honolulu.
Mr. Stevens and the United States forces
were passive spectators. wholly neutral In
action throughout the affair. But Col.
Blount called such witnesses as he chose.
and questioned them In private. Mr.. Dole
and his associates were totally unaware OF
the real object of those inquiries. directed
against their right to exist as a govern
ment. They were not summoned to a
trial. They were not permitted to bring
their own witnesses, nor to question those
Of the queen. Every essential of just
and impartial inquiry was absent. Yet the
President summarily adopted Mr. Blounts
conclusions and decided that he had tried
tne case appedieu 10 ulIu ny the QuCSii, oAo
given formal verdict in her favor, when.
in fact, her opponents had never had
pretense of hearing. And it became the
most unfortunate task OF Mr.. Willis to ex-
ecute the decision of his chief.
do not overlook an element affecting
the events of the revolution, which was
easily misconstrued by Col. Blount, and by
Mr.. Cleveland after him. That was the
moral influence exerted by Mr.. Stevens and
the United States forces. Their presence
powerfully impressed the supporters of
despotism with the mighty adverse SYM
pathies of the great American people. Al
though Mr.. Stevens clearly stated his in
tention to be neutral, and only to prevent
riotous injury to American life and prop
erty, yet the royalists felt that their oppo-
nents had the forces Of an imperial civ