The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1875-08-12

liquor license law, and the Gazette slls-
tains that And yet that paper claims
that there is no Inconsistency in this
that it is open, honest, fam, consistent,
and moral
Grant Expanding the Empire.
Our readers may remember that the
witty Sam Cox last winter amused Con-
gress and the country with review OF
the diplomatic ieats Of the administration
The most wonderful correspondence Of
those favored representatives who were
sent ''to lie abroad for the benefit OF the
country" were read and commented on
as no other man than Cox can do it.
The country was on the broad grin for u
month
1t now appears that the Navigators or
Samoan group of Pacific islands have re-
ceived in another way the attention OF
President Grant. The plan appears to be
very like that upon which San Domingo
was to be protected and finally annexed
at the time Senator Sumner put his foot
upon the speculation.
The attention of the President vas first
directed to the Samoan Islands several
years ago. In 1871 petition was pre-
scented at Washington in which the ma
lives OF those islands peltioned the gov
eminent Of the United States 20 grant
them protection-a@ain,t whom on what
we do not know At the bottom Of this
movement seems to have been a land
speculation of California company which,
il is said, had purchased 10000 acres Of
Samoan lands. In 1872 an Australian
line of steamers became interested in the
islands, the managers Of which seem TO
have been under the impression that the
Washington administration was eager to
annex territory anywhere, and could east
" be won to help private spectators.
On this theory they negotiated 4 treaty
between the Samoan chiefs and the Unit
ed States, one Of the clauses Of which is
as follows: eve do acknowledge the ab-
solute authority of the United States Of
America with regard to ali matters what
ever, and bind ourselves to adopt the
common law of America" While the
males of the Samoan islands thus proved
themselves ripe for the blessings of free
government, the females We're no less
deserving, tor in report by Capt Wake
man, published at That time, in which the
necessity of q treaty with the Samoans
said Of the native women that they stand
out in al their beatlic nudity and love
illness, the emblem of the great Master
handiwork in his happiest mood, a com
bination OF beauty, grace, and innocence
which no Christian can look upon with
out the deepest sentiments OF love and ad-
miration, both toward the Creator and the
created
In April, 1873, the administration saw
fit to send to the islands one A. b. Stein
berger, who is st4 led ''colonel' and seems
to have been before the war one of Mr..
Grants personal trends. lhis trip, It is
estimated cost the United States trea Sury
$50 900, A second trip was made in the
spring Of the present year. On the fourth
of March the United States steamer Tus-
carora lett Honolulu for the Samoan Is
lands, having on board Col Steinberger,
duly empowered rs especial commission
er of the United States to the Samoan Is
lands under instructions of President
Grant The next chapter in this remark
able story is filled by proclamation or
communication, in which Commander
Henry Erben, Of the Tuscarora, gives the
following information to the Samoans ::
81 am sent by the government OF the
United States to convey in the vessel of
war Tuscarora Col. A. h. Steinberger
sent by the President OF the United States
to remain among you" Commander
has great faith in Steinberger; that the
latter is to assist the Samoans to organize
q government that the Samoans are to
become Il nation; that they must look to
the common good of all and must forever
Danish Jealousy from among them; that
everybody works in the United States
that they must respect the white people
and avoid intoxicating liquors, and that
the great government OF the United States
has q kindly interest in them The next
official document comes from the especial
commissioner of the United States, Col
Steinberger, who hands to the natives u
letter from his excellency the President
of the United States of America, and
brings them presents from our govern
ment. In an elaborate and lengthy mes
sage Mr. Steinberger expresses his views
on civilization, popular enlightenment,
natural resources, law making and the
erection OF government buildings He
points to the encouraging example Of the
Hawaiian Islands under King kalakaua,
whom he has ''the pleasure Of Knowing"
and on the whole appears rs the inspired
envoy sent by-a higher being, to-wit; L.
S. Grant, President of the United States
of America. No wonder that the uuso-
phisticated natives entrust to him the
power of organizing a government" He
is fully prepared for that task Among
the features Of the new government are a
including a bill Of rights.
and 4 new flag, which was saluted by the
United States ship with twenty-one guns.
The government is vested in two cold
families Of kings" These are to furnish
the kings alternately each king to serve
four years. But above these quadrennial
is set a prime minister, whose
office is n life OoSiti0n The prina NH,