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Mr. McCandless. William C. Wilder.
The Chairman. Were speeches made?
Mr. McCandless. Yes.
The Chairman. By whom?
Mr. McCandless. I do not know that I can give you the names; I have them here in this little pamphlet.
The Chairman. Have you an account of the proceedings of that meeting?
Mr. McCandless. Yes; I have a complete account here: "Two weeks of Hawaiian history, from January 14 to the 28th." One of the printing houses printed that. I have read it, and it is a very correct statement.
The Chairman. Are there any statements in that history that you object to as being untrue?
Mr. McCandless. I do not remember any. I have read it over several times.
The Chairman. The facts stated in that history came under your personal observation generally?
Mr. McCandless. Yes; as a general statement.
The Chairman. Are you willing to submit this as your statement of the facts that occurred during that time?
Mr. McCandless. I should not like do that now, without reading it over very carefully.
The Chairman. Were any resolutions adopted at that meeting?
Mr. McCandless. Yes.
The Chairman. What were they?
Mr. McCandless. I can give them to you word for word out of that book.
The Chairman. Just read them.
Mr. McCandless. The resolutions are as follows:
"1. Whereas Her Majesty, Liliuokalani, acting in conjunction with certain other persons, has illegally and unconstitutionally, and against the advice and consent of the lawful executive officers of the Government, attempted to abrogate the existing constitution and proclaim a new one in subversion of the rights of the people;
"2. And whereas such attempt has been accompanied by threats of violence and bloodshed and a display of armed force; and such attempt and acts and threats are revolutionary and treasonable in character;
"3. And whereas Her Majesty's cabinet have informed her that such contemplated action was unlawful, and would lead to bloodshed and riot, and have implored and demanded of her to desist from and renounce such proposed action;
"4. And whereas such advice has been in vain, and Her Majesty has in a public speech announced that she was desirous and ready to promulgate such constitution, the same being now ready for such purpose, and that the only reason why it was not now promulgated was because she had met with unexpected obstacles, and that a fitting opportunity in the future must be awaited for the consummation of such object, which would be within a few days;
"5. And whereas at a public meeting of citizens, held in Honolulu on the 14th day of January, instant, a committee of thirteen, to be known as the 'committee of public safety,' was appointed to consider the situation, and to devise ways and means for the maint nance of the public peace and safety, and the preservation of life and property;
"6. And whereas such committee has recommended the calling of this, mass meeting of citizens to protest against and condemn such
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action, and has this day presented a report to such meeting, denouncing the action of the Queen and her supporters as being unlawful, unwarranted, in derogation of the rights of the people, endangering the peace of the community, and tending to excite riot, and cause the loss of life and destruction of property:
"Now, therefore, we, the citizens of Honolulu, of all nationalities, and regardless of political party affiliations, do hereby condemn and denounce the action of the Queen and her supporters;
"And we do hereby ratify the appointment and indorse the action taken and report made by the said committee of safety; and we do hereby further empower such committee to further consider the situation and further devise such ways and means as may be necessary to secure the permanent maintenance of law and order, and the protection of life, liberty, and property in Hawaii."
The Chairman. Was that resolution adopted by the meeting?
Mr. McCandless. It was, unanimously.
The Chairman. Was there much enthusiasm exhibited on that occasion?
Mr. McCandless. A good deal. The speakers had all been instructed to be as moderate as possible, and every speaker—whenever there was any allusion to the intentions of the people, they just went wild.
The Chairman. At the time that meeting was being held another meeting was being held, as I understand, by the supporters of the Queen?
Mr. McCandless. Yes.
The Chairman. What distance was there between the places of the meetings?
Mr. McCandless. Less than half a mile—third of a mile.
The Chairman. Did you visit the meeting in the palace grounds?
Mr. McCandless. Palace Square.
The Chairman. Yes; Palace Square.
Mr. McCandless. No; I did not.
The Chairman. After your meeting dispersed, the meeting of the opponents of the Queen, did the committee of safety reassemble?
Mr. McCandless. Yes.
The Chairman. Where did you meet?
Mr. McCandless. At W. O. Smith's office.
The Chairman. What steps did you take, if any, to carry out the resolutions which you have just read?
Mr. McCandless. We knew we had the support of the whole white population in the movement on foot. In the morning, at the morning meeting, before this mass meeting, we had drawn up a paper and asked the American minister to land troops to protect life and property.
Senator Gray. When was that?
Mr. McCandless. The Monday morning meeting.
The Chairman. Was that request communicated to the minister before the mass meeting was held?
Mr. McCandless. I believe so.
The Chairman. Do you know who communicated it to him?
Mr. McCandless. No; I could not state. After the mass meeting the information was that the troops were to be landed at 5 o'clock. There was a division in the committee as to whether it was wise for the troops to land then or not. Those who were thinking of their property and their families, and the families of the whole white community,
S. Doc. 231, pt 6----62