The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-25
Tho Author OF tho Policy of Infamy
Is Heard from Again.

The temperance of Mr.. CLEVELAND In
public life as an opponent of Hawaiian an
nexation Ia a subject for general congratu-
lation. The more distinctly the attitude
and record and policy of the Cleveland AID.
ministration are recalled at the present
time. and thus brought into contrast with
the American attitude and record and
policy Of both BENJAMIN HARRISON and
WILLIAM MCKINLEY, the better for the
treaty which Is now before the Senate.
There will always be two theories Of the
initial motive of the Hon. GROVER CLEvE-
LANDS stubborn and defiant determine
ton to block annexation at any cost and
by any means. and to restore monarchy in
Hawaii. One theory is that his policy pro-
ceeded largely from the personal impression
made upon himself and his domestic circle
by the interesting young woman known as
the Princess KAIULANI during her visit to
Washington in charge of her astute and
polite English guardian. The other theory
is that Mr.. CLEVELAND withdrew the for
mer treaty as soon as he entered on his
second term simply because Hawaiian an
nexation was the leading measure of his
Republican predecessors foreign policy,
and a cause very near'to the hearts of both
Gen. HARRISON and Mr.. BLAINE.
1t will be observed that in his Princeton
interview of Saturday last the statesman
who was defeated by BENJAMIN HARRISON
in 1888 and who succeeded BENJAMIN
HARRISON in 1892, boasts that the first
thing he did after his Inauguration in
March, 1893, was to recall from the Senate
the annexation treaty negotiated by HAIR
RIsoN and then up for ratification.
In estimatingthe character Of his motives
for this extraordinary proceeding, 1t must
be remembered that so far as the Executive
Department was concerned the question
had been closed and the process Of annexa-
tion was complete. Under the Constitution
trested solely with the Senate, as it does to-
day, to say whether the treaty should be
ratified. Mr.. CLEVELAND violently de-
prived that body of the opportunity to eX-
ercise the Constitutional duty devolved
upon it by his predecessor. He broke the
continuity of this Governments policy with
regard to foreign relations; affairs properly
beyond the reach of partisan jealousies.
Immediately upon entering the White
House he undertook, not only to criticise,
but also to reverse totally the completed
act of his predecessor in a matter of supreme
national Importance, and to enforce his
own personal opinions, formed not as an
officer of the Government, but as a private
citizen, practicing law in William street,
near Broad.
1t is due solely and entirely to the Hon.
GROVER CLEVELAND that the Hawaiian
islands are not now United States territory,
happy and prosperous under our admins
tration and a valued and,valuable part of our
national possessions. From his own point
of view his boast is justif1able. He did
block annexation for four years. He did
haul down the American flag which his
patriotic predecessor had hoisted.
The remainder of Mr.. CLEvELAND's per-
sonal programme was never performed.
He did not succeed in crushing the life out
of the young republic whose President is
to-day approaching Washington as an hon
ored guest of thisn nation. He did not sue.
coed in setting up again the ridiculous,
scandalous monarchy which the republic
had superseded. The official opportunities
of Mr.. CLEVELAND, SO remorselessly and
u~nscrupulously used by him between 1893
and 1897, did not enable him to consum.
mate his Policy of Infamy. Indignant
American sentiment interfered to prevent,
and our country was spared the browning
outrage which the Hon. GROVER CLEvE
LAND had planned.