The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-07-22
THE TREATY.


The favorable report of the Committee
on Foreign Relations, of the Senate of
the United States, on the Reciprocity
Treaty with the Hawaiian Islands, was an
important step gained towards its adoption
by that body finally.
Though some months have elapsed since
that report was laid upon the table, it has
not yet been brought up for consideration,
not, as we believe, because its friends have
not sound and forcible reasons to urge in
It's favor and with great chance of success,
but because other topics of intenser home
interest have rendered it inexpedient, or
inopportune to press the Treaty on the
attention of the Senate. In that body,
upon which presses questions relating to
the political, commercial and social inter
ests of great nation, many a proposed
measure fingers along for months, and even
years before reaching hearing. especially,
where the measure relates to foreign policy,
and there is no immediate necessity for
action. These are liable continually to be
thrust aside by questions of home politics
and the exciting issues of the day. Such
has proved to be the case with the Treaty,
which. just as it was reported by the Com
mittee, was overshadowed by the excite
ment attendant upon the great impeach-
ment trial. Pressing upon the termination
of this, comes the excitement of the open
ing of the fall political campaign, the
nominating conventions for Presidential
candidates, the legislation for securing the
Congressional mode of reconstruction, and
the new tax bill, the immediate considera-
ton of which, is looked npon as present
necessity by the dominant party. All
these home questions engross the atten-
ton and claim precedence of senatorial
action, and but one or two executive ses-
sions since the impeachment ended, have
been held.
1t is very true, if our Treaty contained
some favorite political principle, like that
negotiated with the North German Con-
federation conceding to the American view
of the rights of naturalization, or had in it
the glow of brilliant foreign policy"
like that negotiated with Russia and with
Denmark for the transfer of territory,
then we nigh. have expected for it, imme-
diate attention by reason of its being
linked with the popular questions of the
day. A political treaty is also very diff
ferent affair from a commercial one. The
latter, though the amounts involved may
be insignificant, by their connection with
the commercial policy of the nation, and
their bearing on the revenues of the coun-
try, are subjected to closer scrutiny and
more thorough examination, and hence the
slowest deliberation in maturing and APP
proving them, is not accounted unwise or
inexpedieut.
1t also takes time in treaties like the
one in which we are interested, to meet
objections, overcome prejudices, collect
and disseminate information, to win over
those whose opinions are welded to pro-
tective policy, and to interest those who
are Indifferent or engrossed with other
matters. We have no reason then to con-
clude that the Treaty viii not in due time
be considered and acted upon. The New
GRENADA postal treaty, reported at the
same time with ours, and since ratified,
has been in progress eight years, and the
history of treaties before the Senate will
show that haste is not the usual rule.
1t does not appear that the friends Of
the Treaty have fallen of, but rather that
it has gained ground, both on its own
merits. and the further favor which re-
ciprocity seems to be securing in the pub
lie opinion. If Reciprocity becomes