The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-08-01
TUESDAY, AUGUST l, 1898
ANNEXATION IN AMERICAN POL
ITICS.

The relations which Democratic pol
itics have in the United States to the
annexation question are Of kind to
make the reform elements OF Hawai-
confident of good results to their cause.
In the first place, the experience gained
from civil-war politics has made Dem
ocratic leaders extremely wary of the
negative or dissentient position toward
any issue which savors of patriotism or
the glory Of the flag, 1t was such an
attitude during the administration OF
President Lincoln which kept the
Democratic party out of power for
twenty-four years; and it is remem-
bered that after it had gained the goal
it was driven away, partly because OF
the critical position which Mr.. Cleve-
land took toward veteran pensioners
and the political rewards he had heaped
upon men who had rebelled against
the Government and fought four years
to make themselves foreigners in their
own country. After coming object
lessons of this kind, of which they and
theirs were the sufferers, it is difficult to
suppose that Democratic statesmen Will
rush blindly into another scheme SO I'M
patriotic as to repel American advance
in these islands and make permanent
the act of April 1st, by which the Stars
and Stripes were ANONYMOUSLY hauled
down. Already the Republicans have
made abundant capital at their expense
Will Mr.. Cleveland have the faulty to
let them make more by going to the in
decent and unpatriotic lengths pre-
scribed by Nordhoff and his ilk' We
think not.
There is another angle to this ques'
ton. Mr.. Cleveland cannot afford to
get his party into any more trouble
than that which now encompasses It,
The administration in power is always
held responsible in America for hard
times, and then comes the cry tor "a
change" which few parties can prevail
AGAINST. 1t will be impossible, we
think. for the Democrats to carry the
next Congress. The Presidential cleo
ton of 1896, if business depression
continues, can only be saved TO the
dominant party by the exercise OF the
utmost prudence and wisdom ; and
both these considerations would oppose
an act which should give the Repub-
licans chance to lodge a charge OF
un.Americanism against Mr.. Cleveland
in addition to the one of responsibility
for the distress of the business and
laboring classes.
If the failure to annex these ISLANDS
would embarass the Democratic can
vass the acceptance Of the offer OF the
Provisional Government might, with
proper provisions made for Hawaiian
statehood, aid it in a most materla
way. There would be gained FIRST the
prestige born of an American policy
a widening OF the national domain
strengthening Of the American defenses
Then would come the aid to be de
rived from the voters of the new com
monwealth among whom the Demo
cratic propaganda could busy itsel
with immediate profit There are votes
to be had in Hawaii at time wher
votes may be badly needed
These are the American politica
asnects of annexation merely. There
are other phases of the question whic'
have to do with common justice to th'
whites and common good to the ma
tiyes with defense and commerce
with protection from foreign powers
with Christianity and the spread o
civilization with manifest destiny an'
manifest duty These have been de
hated before and will be again. SO
Is not necessary to repeat them now
The one point of this discussion
that the present administration OF tn
limited States cannot afford, as
simple matter of politics, to let thes
Islands 60.