Hawaii Holomua, Volume II, Number 14, 17 January 1894 — How to Deal with Stevens. [ARTICLE]

How to Deal with Stevens.

The President’s message leaves ex-Minister Stevens, our recent representative in Hawaii, under a cloud, with a very grave charge hanging over him. Mr. Cleveland says that Commissioner Blount’s report shows beyond all question that the constitutional government of Hawaii was subverted with the active aid of our representative to that government, and through the intimidation caused by the presence of an armed naval force of the United States, which was landed for that purpose at the instance of our Minister. We have here the positive charge in an executive communication to congress that Mr. Stevens, while acting as Minister of the United States, was guilty of malfeasance in office, and practically treason. This is a very serious matter from every point of view. If Mr. Stevens is guilty of treason, or any other high crime or misdemeanor in office, he should be tried and punished, and if he is innocent he should be vindicated through an acquittal. It would be an injustice to him, as well as to our government, to drop the case where it is, with this criminal charge made a matter of permanent record in a State paper, while the accused is left free to protest against it, without an opportunity of bringing the matter to a conclusive test. Our government cannot afford to deal lightly with the treason of malfeasance of a Minister. If Mr. Stevens conspired against a friendly government and aided in its overthrow by the unlawful use of the naval forces of the United States he deserves severe punishment. To let him off scot-free, without even a trial, would establish a dangerous precedent. It is not consistent with our honor and dignity to put the world upon notice that Stevens is guilty of a high crime against the governments of the United States and Hawaii, and then take no steps to bring him to the bar of justice. Let us have none of this child’s play. Under a democratic administration there should be no loophole of escape for this man, if he is guilty, and, on the other hand, if he is innocent, there would be no danger of an unjust verdict. The American people have a right to ascertain through a verdict whether the charge against Stevens is true or false. If true, he should be punished; if untrue, he is entitled to a vindication. Until the question is settled it will be the subject of partisan misrepresentation, and the accused will be regarded on the one side as a traitor, and on the other as a victim. Let Stevens be put on trial! Let congress take the matter in hand without delay! — Atlanta Const.

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