The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-18
AN EPOcH.MARKiNG ACT.
From the Washington star.

From the Washington Star.
The signing of treaty for the annex
alton of the Hawaiian Islands Is an act
of which the administration may wlth
every reason be proud, and upon whlen
the country may with reason be congrdt-
ulated. 1t is the working of manifest
destiny" and in the direction OF the ful-
flllment OF our just obligations to our
selves and others. The aspirations OF
more than fifty years are realized In H.
and the best and most progressive senti-
ment Of this present day approves IT, Tne
details of tho convention may with all
safety be left to leisurely examination.
They are the work of competent men,
with definite patriotic end In view. But
the significance of the convention Is some
thing to be seized at once, and Is suffi-
Client to give the country-the whole coun-
try-a thrill of pride and pleasure.
~ The islands belong in our scheme OF
advanced and rapidly advancing national
power. We are exclusively land power
no longer. We are a sea power as wel'
and must support that power in every
proper way. 1t is especially necessary that
we make ourselves strong in the Pacific,
and the Hawaiian islands are the Key to
the Pacific. Their d3stancp from our
main coast Hne will soon be annihilated,
by the laying OF a cable and the estab-
lishment of a line of fast vessels, ana
under the influences of speedy and IRE
quent communication the new country In
its fun development viii reflect both the
spirit and the characteristics Of the old.
(2) The United States has a record of
phenomenal success in dealing with newly
acquired territory Texas Is a great and
prosperous empire. The Louisiana pur-
chase, though inhabited at the start by
people of an alien tongue ana habit, is
now a garden spot, and the home of mil
lions. When II was acquired, 1t was more
difficult and took more time to go from
Washington to New Orleans than now to
go from Sar Francisco to Honolulu.
Alaska Is rapidly developing under the
Stars and Stripes. This Is assurance In
itself of our ability to convert the Ha-
waiian islands at a very early day, with
| the splendid start that American ciytliza-
| tio already has there, into territory go
prosperous and inviting that 1t will fill
| up with people Of excellent stamp and con-
| dition.
go This step will arouse the people and
| appeal to them on the score of the future.
| 1t will serve as q finger-board. pointing
| to what is before u.s. and how, II the
country Is to take it's proper place in the
| growth of the world, the future must be
met. There arc just two conditions In the
| world, for nations as for individuals
| growth and decay. The United states
| cannot hope to stand still. If 1t does not
| go forward 1t will certainly go backward
But growth, of course, does not mean a
constant expansion of boundaries. II
means the rising TO all occasions when the
| country's welfare demands it, and when
to make itself properly felt It must make
itself strong.
There will follow some talk about Cuba
There are very many people who would
| be glad to see Cuba speedily follow Ha'
| wall into the Union. The topic is full Of
suggestion. But sufficient unto the day !:
the island thereof. The Hawaiian grouI
is ripe and we take ii in. With Cuba as
ripe and as ANXIOUS for absorption-anc
| that condition seems swiftly approaching
who shall say that the result in her cas'
| will not be the same?