The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-03
xGAINsT ANyFyA ron or HAWAJI
Mr., fuckers Speech Against Govern
ment Cable.

on the 2ist of February Hon. II. ST.
George Tucker delivered the Following
nve-minute speech against the PROPOSE
ton to make an appropriation Tor the
construction Of a cable from the United
States to the Hawaiian Islands,
Mr. Speaker: &c is well enough to I'M
derstand the real question before the
House. The amendment presented, APP
parently is for the sole purpose of lay
ing a cable by the Government of the
United States between this country and
Honolulu, to be owned and operated by
the United States Government. ! say that
that is the proposition, Mr.. Speaker. but
that is not it's ultimate object. Down be-
low the laying Of the cable. down IN the
bottom of the hearts OF gentlemen who
advance this proposition there is an
other-not TO lay the cable to Honolulu,
but to lay the wires for the annexation Of
the Hawaiian Islands. cloud applause ON
the Republican side)
l am very glad, Mr.. Speaker, that l have
succeeded at last in smoking out the gen
tlemen upon the other side. Ueers on the
Republican side.
MIR. Storer: The gentleman can always
smoke out the American flag.
MIR. Tucker: listened with great pleas
ure to the distinguished gentleman from
Illinois Oir. HitD, who is q noted diplo-
mat. on Yesterday. / noticed that his
speech was gwen up TO a discussion or
the commercial interest that existed be
tween this country and the Hawaiian Is
lands, but [ failed to hear him declare
openly for annexation. | noticed ms mag
nifcent appeal TO the Americanism OF
this House. ] accept il, sir. l am Tor
America against the world. Yet SIR, |
am for America for Americans, ana not
for America for Chinese, Dagos, Japa-
nese and haIf-breeds in the Hawaiian IS
lands. (Applause on the Democratic side)
must do Justice TO my honored frlend
and colleague, the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts Cdr Draper, who IN ms dls-
cussion in this matter, with frankness
which is Characteristic of him, dld not
conceal the fact that his OBJECT was 10
have annexation. Mr.. Speaker, 40 NOT
believe in an ambitious Government.
do not believe in that principle which
would lead us to cast our longing eyes
across the seas, seeking what we can
gather under the folds of the United
States flag. Our duty sir, as Americans
is TO see that honest and good laws are
enacted for the Advancement, cuitlVa'loh'
civilization and progress OF Americans
and to see that our commercial relations
with other nations are proper ana cor
rect | am against annexation.
Gentlemen have said in this discussion
lion bill on yesterday carrying $-o'Voo'VOC
for building four war ships in time OF
neace Well, sir, / found 1t 10 be my
duty TO vote against it; but When that
bill was passed, ] at least congratulated
rrvself that the country was at last saie.
R,,t row my honored friends on the other
eide saw that the navy alone amounts TO
nothing. We are To have it, but, they
say, What is a navy without a cableY
Mir. Boutelle: A cable is good thing
for a navy.
Mr.. Tucker: A sort OF umbilical cora!
Gaughter) Why, Mr.. Speaker, if the
United States cannot get along with the
reinforcement Of the navy. with four
battle ships provided for in the bill just
passed, and which / think ought not to
have been passed in the present condi-.
ton OF the Treasury-if we cannot get
along with that, what next will gentlemen
bring up? Do they want TO extend this
cable to Japan and thence TO the islands
of the sea beyond, and in their wild
dreams OF conquest and power compel
submission from those countries 10 ours?
Mr.. Speaker, l have no sympathy with
that idea. 1 have no sympathy with an
nexatOn.
Have we not questions Of sufficient diff
Guilty to contend with in the vast domain
now under our jurisdiction? Have We not
political and social questions enough to
engage our attention? And has our solu-
ti)n of the great race problem with which
we have been struggling for thirty years
been so successful as TO warrant our ac-
ceptance of others? The acquisition of
territory on this continent in the past for
well known political reasons is one thing;
TO attempt 10 bring into our social fabric
the islands OF the sea is an entirely diff
ferent matter. Sir, the argument can not
be resisted that If the Hawaiian Islands,
Zoo miles from our coast, are necessary
for its protection, then must IL follow
that the countries beyond the Hawaiian
Islands must be necessary TO the United
States for the protection of the Hawaiian
Islands. 1 can not do more than suggest
the argument in the limited period OF five
minutes.
1 believe that our true principle is to
legislate for Americans, and not TO seek,
by greed and lust Of power. 10 extend
our domain across the sea. Without
meaning any pun. ] may suggest, in the
language of another. that when you
leave the land then you are at sea in
deed" applause on the Democratic
side.)
A Cold Wave.