The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-13
Unconstitutionaiity of the Hawaiian
Treaty.

Hon. Daniel Agnew in the December
Forum.
There is no express power in the con-
stitution to acquire and incorporate a
foreign territory and people into the
Union. Precedents are cited to justify
the annexation of Hawaii. Precedent
does not amend the constitution.
Amendment requires vote of two
thirds of congress and of three-fourths
of the states. Consent of the senate
alone is not enough. Precedent belongs
to the leges non scriptas; it has no
force except by usage and consent and
must be precisely in point. There is no
precedent to justify the admission by
treaty of Hawaii The purchase of
Louisiana, Florida and Alaska are
cited; but these are not in point. A
purchase unauthorized by the consti-
tuition can be justified only by an over
ruling necessity for the national safe
ty. To warrant the exercise of a power
not found in the constitution the neces-
sity must be clear and imperative.
Without this it is a violation of the
oath of Office The life of the constitu-
ton is as sacred to the people as the
natural life is to the individual.
What interest has the mass of the
people in this treaty? None whatever.
Let it be confirmed and a precedent will
be established having no limit to dan
ger. Folly may seize San Domingo,
aSarice covet Cuba and greed grasp the
islands of the Caribbean sea. Variant
interests will create controversies and
constant struggles, ending in disunion.
The Union, stretched and distended,
will fall to pieces of its own weight and
weakness, a prey to discord and foul
ambition. Now look at some of the
consequences in sight:
An ocean state 200 miles distant
from cur coast, and 5000 miles from
the seat of government, is liable to
mishaps. The telegraph may convey
news; but no force can reach ii in less
than a fortnight. Land and naval
forces must be kept there for immediate
use.
Incorporation confers a citizenship
upon aliens not within the naturaliZa-
ticn laws. comprehending "A ,401 Japan
ese u, 6l6 Chinese. 81 ,019 Hawaians. s.
4S5 half breeds. some South Sea island
ers. besides 1871 Portuguese. 1850 Eng
lishmen. / .432 Germans and a few 9TH
ers. 1t Will give Hawaii two senators
and congressman. alien in character
and foreign in interest, to vote on
American measures. 1t will confer a
right to send sugar and other products
into our ports without payment of du-
ties 1t will endanger the Monroe doc
trne; we cannot acquire distant ocean
lands and yet debar Europe from
American possessions.
We incur constant danger from the
natives seeking to recover their just
rights; they must be kept in subjuga-
ton by force of arms. We should be
bound by the existing treaties of Ha-
Waii with foreign nations, and thereby
be liable to foreign complications.
This mixed brown. yellow and dusky
people partly pagan. cannot be absorb
ed by assimilation; for they cannot
marry with American whites.
In his inaugural Mr.. Mckinley warn
Ell the people against "a citizenship too
ignorant to understand or too vicious
To appreciate the great value and benz
eficence OF our institutions and our
laws" At that moment Hawaii was
below his horizon,