St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-19
STEVENS AMBITIOUS.
He Wanted to Gain Glory for Him
self


The attempt will not be made in this
communication to touch upon all the
facts which throw light upon the prog
ress and contamination of this scheme
of annexation. A very brief and i'm
perfect reference to the facts and evil
dence at hand will exhibit its character
and the incidents in which it had It's
birth. 1t is unnecessary to set forth the
reason which III January. 1898, led a
considerable portion of American and
other foreign merchants and traders re-
siding at Honolulu TO favor the anneXa-
ton of Hawaii TO the United States. 1t
is sufficient to note the fact and to OBJ
serve that the project was one which
was ZealOusly promoted by the minis
ter representing the United States in
that country. He evidently had an ar
dent desire that it should become fact
accomplished by his agency and during
his ministry, and was not incOnven-
iently ScrupulOuS as 10 the means en-
ployed to that end.
On the 18th day of November, 1892,
nearly two months before the first overt
act tending towards the subYerSion of
the Hawaiian government and the at
tempted transfer of Hawaiian territory
to the United States, he addressed
long letter to the secretary of state, in
which the cause for annexation was
deliberately argued on moral, political
and economical grounds. He refers to
the loss to the Hawaiian sugar interests
from the operation of the Mckinley
bill, and the tendency to still further
depreciation of sugar property unless
some positive measure of relief is
granted. lie strongly inYelghS against
the existing Hawaiian government,
and emphatically declares for anneXa-
ton. He says:
''In truth, the monarchy here is an
absurd anachronism. 1t has nothing on
which 1t logically or legltimatelY stands.
The feudal basis, on which IL once
stood, no longer existing, the monarchy
now is only an impeachment to good gov
eminent, an obstruction to the pros
perity and progress of the islands"
He further says: LAS crown colony
of Great Britain or aterrltory of the
United States the government modifica-
lions could be made readily and good
administration of the laws secured.
Destiny and the vast future interests of
the United States in the Pacific clearly
indicate who at no distant day may be
responsible for the government of these
islands. Under territorial govern
ment they could be as easily governed
as any of the existing territories of the
United States.
Hawaii has reached the parting of
the ways. She must ROW take the road
which leads to Asia, or the other, which
outlets her in America. gives her an
American civilization, and binds her to
the car of American destiny"
He also declares: "One of two courses
seems to me absolutely necessary to be
followed, either bold and vigorous
measures for annexation or customs
union an ocean cable from the coast of
Honolulu, Pearl harbor perpetuaily
ceded to the United States, with an i'm
piled, but not expressly, stipulated
American prOtectOrate over the islands.
j believe the former to be better, that
which will prove much the more adj
VantageouS to the islands and the cheap
est and least embarrassing in the end to
the United States. If it was wise for
the United States, through Secretary
Marcy, thirty-eight years ago, to offer to
eXpend 100000 to secure a treaty of an
neXation, it certainly cannot be chlmer-
lcal or unWlSe TO eXpend 100000 10 Sc
cure annexation in the near future.
TNiay the United States has five times
the wealth she possessed in 1854, and
reasons now existing for annexation are
much stronger than they were then. l
cannot refrain from expressing the
opinion, with emphasis, that the golden
hour is near at hand"
These declarations certainly show a
disposition and condition Of mind which
may be uSefully recalled when inter-
pretlng the significance of the minister's
conceded acts or when considering the
probabilities of such conduct on his part
as may not be admitted.