The record-union., 1893-02-28
THE HAWAIIAN TREATY.

Such opposition as has developed to
the ratification of the Hawaiian treaty
partakes of three elements; jealousy on
the part of some members in the lower
house OF Congress and of political parti-
sans; hesitation on the part of certain
Senators to enlarging the policy of the
Government in the matter of extending
our territorial area, and direct and un-
reasoning opposition to annexation on
the ground that the right of royal form
of government will be invaded and the
islands annexed under COW and threat
that prevents the free expression of the
people of the territory.
SO far as the concurrence of the House
is concerned, in the whole history of the
Government the Senate has acted indie
pendently of the House in these matters,
even though the treaty involved financial
Obligations. While there would be no
impropriety in the Senate consulting the
House, yet the constitutional right of the
upper body is now as it always has been.
The House of Representative in the mat
ter Of other treaties, involving far greater
sums of money, has failed to manifest
any distrust or to Sickle for consultation.
We apprehend that the hope of partisan
advantage has far more to do with the OBJ
jections raised in the House than any
sincerity Of claim that that body should
be consulted in the initial steps.
So far as the enlargement OF govern
mental possessions is concerned, this
would seem to be a case of simple protec-
ton. That the monarchical system must
go down in Hawaii is granted by every
person who has noted the growth of the
democratic spirit in the islands and the
steady advance of the foreign population
in dominating the public sentiment. 1t
is a mere question of time when the
Hawaiian flag must be permanently dis
placed. With England and Russia on the
north and England, France and Ger
many on the south and in the Orient.
there remains in the Pacific waters but
one island group of any Importance for
US to lose, and no other Pacific shores for
European Governments to master. The
Outposts in the Atlantic on this hemi-
sphere are all held adversely to US. In
the far East and in the South Pacific we
have not single foothold nor will we
ever secure one. If we adopt now a
weak policy the last possession of value
unoccupied by foreign power will pass
into hands that may be some day hostile
to us.
1t is not only because the intelligent,
progressive and commercial spirit in
Hawaii is asking US to take the islands,
but the need is that in the mid-Pacific the
United States should possess a station,
and this is the unanimous judgment of
every naval official who has been en-
rolled in our service.
Partisanship should have no place in
the present consideration. The negotia-
ton of the treaty by Republican Admin
istration is an accomplished fact; to delay
ratification until Democratic President
is seated can add no glory to his Admin
istration. Whatever there is of that which
enters into the question belongs to the
present.
The people do not believe, however,
that President Harrison was actuated by
party sentiment or the ignoble desire to
win advantage for his party. There is
nothing in all his career to justify so
mean an estimate of the man. That he is
2 patriotic, broad-minded and courageous
President not even his political enemies
will deny. That he places his country
second to his party is an assumption
that insults the common intelligence.