The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-12-08


at both sides of the question / am con-
vineed that annexation of Hawaii is
Of as much Importance to the United
States as to the people here. Had the
Islands in the Atlantic belonged to
the United States we would have had
much less trouble in times of war.
During the late unpleasantness the
harbors of islands in the lands of an
tagonistic nations furnished refuge for
vessels that made themselves very an
noying. 1t would be a calamity for
these Islands to pass into the hands of
any power but the United States In
event of European war, there is no
question of the advisability of the
United States controlling this terri
tory. | one time had conversation
with Mr.. Cleveland on annexation,
and tried to convince him that he could
make no more popular movement than
TO annex these Islands"
Mr.. Hartwell-I understand Mr..
Pratt is relative of Mr.. Cleveland.
Mr. Pratt-Yes, that is true, but am
not saying very much about it. Mr..
Cleveland is a second cousin of mine,
and that is not my fault. (Applause.)
Mr. Cleveland asked me if l thought
l knew as much about the Islands as he
did, he having had man down here
to investigate affairs, referring to
Paramount Blount. l replied: Yes,
think l do. I've been there and have
kept up correspondence with people
ha Tcln
think he was pleased with my remarks,
and we changed the subject. The last
time 1 passed through Washington 1
didn't call on Mr.. Cleveland. He was
very busy, l believe, and so was l.
We didn't meet. l stood by Mr.. Cleve-
land in his first administration, but in
his second, the first thing he did was
to put his foot in it by selecting a rene
gade Republican for Secretary of State,
as if there were not enough good men
in the good old Democratic party. The
policy was principally Gresh-
am policy, and was simply the result
of desire to vent personal spleen and
throw mud at President Harrison.
believe annexation is sure to come. 1t
is manifest destiny"
E. H. Waity was called upon as rep
the bankers. He expressed
qualification that he could make the
statement that personally he was heart
lily in sympathy with the annexation
banker or no banker. An
neXation is the best thing for the
The people should not be too
but should consider the
best good. l shall be with
you first, last and always.
A. V. Gear said: 81 am an Ameri-
can, always have been and always ex-
pect to be. have always thought an
neXation would be good thing, but
not till the last year have l been abso-
lutely convinced that it was the only
hing for the country. l shall work for
the annexation of Hawaii to the Unit
ed States, and will do all in my power
to bring it about. l believe it will help
every class on the Islands, both finan-
cially and socially, and l trust our
hopes will be realized not in the dis
tant future"
Mr. Bolte made a short speech, in
which he said: 81 can only say for
myself that l believe in annexation,
and wish and hope that it will very
soon come"
Attorney General w. o. Smith, in re-
ply to a suggestion from the chair
about foolish rumors that the Govern
nent was not honestly for annexation,
said it seemed almost unnecessary to
assure the people of the position of
the Government. 'It is based on an
nexation, and will do everything in
its power to bring it about! We are
all working to the end expressed in
the proclamation of the Provisional
reiterated in the consti-
,ution of the Republic and many times
after. The members of the Govern
nent know the firm, honest sentiments
Of the people, and when there is such
a show of hearty, sincere feeling as
has been manifested at different times
Of trial during past years, we have a
great deal to hope for the future.
DR.. Wood said he was an annexa
ZIONIST and always had been since he
arrived in the country; first, because
he was an American. 'The only poll
tics l have is annexation" DR.. Wood
the Club on its selection
for president, and also remarked upon
the excellence of the national leaders
that had risen to the emergency.
After repeated calls D. L. Naone
made a short speech. He said: 'The
word annexation is one, the full
meaning of which was not familiar to
me when | first heard it, but as have
come to understaid the term, it means
The establishment of peace and strength
in this country, therefore am in favor
of it. The question in my mind is,
how we can best combine the natives
and foreigners in the movement? We
all know that in union there is
and if all can work together
the object can be obtained. There is
power in that word. 1t has been my
desire since 1887 that peace shall be
in this land. Tonight we
are working in the right direction to
obtain the object, which can, l be-
lieve, be reached through that-thor-
ough American W. Mckinley l am
steadfastly in favor of annexation.
People have said to me they did not
believe the Government was sincere for
1 believe every officer of
the Government is in favor of complete
union with the United States of Amer
lea, but if they were not, should say,