Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-11-29
The Hawaiian Situation-Prompt Annexation
the Best Solution.

luz 0eSt OUsuuOu'
1t is well understood, that for many
years our ablest statesmen have seen clear
ly that the United States should have con-
troll of the Hawaiian Islands. since the
establishment of the American right 10
what is now the domain of the great states
of Oregon and Washington, followed by
the acquisition of California and Alaska,
giving lis vast frontage on the North
Pacific. and the construction of five great
continental railroad lines to that ocean,
and the proximate completion OF the
Nicaragua canal, the reasons for onlted
States possession of Hawaii have been
greatly increased. The predominating
opinion now in the United States is that
those beautiful Pacific lands must form
mart of the American Union. But some
say the question of time is not important
that the little Republic is now getting on
very well, that good order prevails within
its borders. that it's finances are well
mana ged, the laws well administered, and
the best forces of civilization in full force.
1t is urged that the Islands can get along
very well for the present, and why not
wait until everybody in the land is con-
WINGED of the necessity of the important
step of annexation? To wait until the
entire people of the United States shall
be ready to accept annexation, would DE
! to adopt a policy of delay and procrastina-
ton which has never been adopted in re-
gard to any other great question of public
interest Certainly our statesmen did not
wait for such unanimous opinion before
annexing Louisiana, Florida, Texas Cali
power did not procrastinate when the OPP
perfume time came to make those great
territorial acquisitions. They too well
understood the contingencies and dangers
OF delay There is nothing more true than
the old adage, that there are times and
tides in the affairs of man. In the brief
six years following the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise in 1854, the pressing
question among Americans was, should
| free or slave institutions acquire perma-
nent domination in the great territory OF
Kansas? 1t was plain enough to all who
| knew the facts, that delay and compro-
mise were impossible. The supporters of
slavery thought to win success by the
use of official and military power, aided
by Fictitious or real pro-slavery immi-
grafton The friends of free institutions
saw that the only sure alternative to Sc
cure free Kansas was by an immigration
of an opposite character. The Free State
men, led by Thayer, Robinson, Pomeroy,
| Spooner, and others as brave and clear
sighted as they, in and outside the terri
tory in controversy knew well the fatality
of delay They won a glorious success by
the legitimate march of population seek
ing land, homes, and the just rewards of
labor. Ancient and modern history alike
furnish innumerable illustrations show
ing that territorial acquisitions are gener-
ally made either by military force and
conquest, or by the peaceful movement
of population.
1t is clear to all who know the essential
facts, that the real question underlying
the Hawaiian situation is this-shall u
European American population and
American political institutions permanent
ly predominant on those valuable Islands
of the North Pacific? Or shall an Asia
tic population and an Asiatic civiliza-
ton, more or less stimulated and CON
trolled by British agents and British in
terests, there prevail? So long as the ma
tive monarchy had some reason to be, sup
ported by population mainly Poly
nesian, and there was but little move
ment of Asiatic peoples towards the Is
lands, there was little danger in delaying
American political and naval possession
of them But the conditions of fifty and
of twenty years ago no longer exist.
The native population is now decidedly
in minority, and is rapidly dwindling
away Today the Islands have not fifth,
probably not tenth, of what they are
capable of sustaining. 1t is therefore,
plain that the flow of emigration will de
eide the future posscssors of the Islands.
The British government will make nc
serious opposition to the annexation of
Hawaii to the United States. if our Wash
ington government continues to assert the
I, views recently approved by "A nearly
unanimous vote for the Senate and often
, expressed through the State department.
But British Canadian officials and British
intriguers resident abroad, know how to
antagoniZc American interests. To popu-
late the Hawaiian Islands with Asiatics
and Canadian and Australian adventures
t would serve well enough British designs
and policy in the end, but not the inter
, ests of American civilization, American
f commerce, and American sea power. 1t
r does not conflict with British policy and
methods to hold foreign province popu-
} lated by nearly an entire foreign people as