The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-03-04
Hawaii-A olergyman's Protest.

paw" VI NhO OOuhbiJ WobSA NiOh ~
tense interest the conflict now being
waged in Congress over the Hawai-
ian question and owe you debt OF
gratitude for the firm stand you
have maintained against annexation.
1t does seem as though the cogent
reasons you have urged against it
would certainly bring conviction to
every unprecedented mind You have
shown clearly that it is utterly OPP
posed to the genius of our institu-
tions. and frsught with certain and
enormous expenditure to protect
these distant islands, as we'll as with
probable danger of bloody and ex
hausting wars with other nations.
You have demonstrated all this so
convincingly as to leave the advo-
Gates Of annexation without excuse
for the consummation OF such
crime against humanity. For surely
it would be no less to start peace
loving republic, heretofore regarded
as the palladium OF tho hopes Of the
world, upon a career of empire-seek-
ing throughout the earth. But,
while the arguments on the material
side against incorporating with our
selves people in the Pacific Ocean,
two thousand miles away from our
shores (and such people,, are so
conclusive, yet those on the side OF
national honor are even more over
towering
1t is matter Of history, and that
too recent to admit Of gainsaying,
that the Hawaiian Government,
recognized at the time by our own
and in treaty relations with us
similar to those we have with other
nations, was overthrown, in effect,
by the marines of one OF our war
ships, placed at the disposal of
little handful of conspirstors, and
that this was done with the COM
plioity Of our government, which
Immediately sought to reap the
benefit OF this act Of highway rob-
berry by having the islands annexed
to the United States Mr.. Cleveland
sought to prevent the completion of
the nefarious scheme, and tried to
repair the grievous wrong which had
been committed, by restoring the
deposed Queen to the throne from
which our armed force had driven
her. But such an outcry was raised
in Congress and throughout the
whole country against this act of
redress, imperatively demanded
though it was by every consideration
Of justice and right, that Mr.. Cleve-
land was unable to carry out his
good intentions.
1t was ludicrous, and yet deeply
notifying to every true patriot,
keenly alive to the shame thus
brought upon his country, to hear
the senseless clamor raised against
the restoration of the deposed Ha-
waiian ruler, on the ground that
monarchs had no rights to be re-
spected by the great republic, pro-
vided always they were weak enough
to be trampled on with impunity.
The so-called republics of South
America, though really ruled by die
tators, must be protected against
banded Europe. But the idea of
doing justice to king or queen, I'M
less under comparison, seems abhor-
rent to the average American. That
chapter in our history was disgrace.
full enough.
hope, although it seems almost
to be hoping against hope, that en-
lightened public opinion will speedi-
ly exert such pressure upon Con-
gress as will prevent the annexation
lists from accomplishing their pur-
pose and disgracing us in the eyes
Of the world. For it will not take
many such acts of perfdy and
tyrannical oppression of helpless
nationalities by the one great Power
which poses as the guardian Of
Liberty and the protector OF the
weak. To mako tho once proud mama