Evening star., 1897-06-16
An Epoch Marking Act.

The signing of treaty for the annexa-
tion of the Hawaiian islands Is an act OF
which the administration may with every
reason be proud, and upon which the coun-
try NAV with every reason be conyratu-
lated. 1t Is the working of manifest
destiny" and in the direction of the fulfill
ment of our just obligations to ourselves
and to others The aspirations of more
than fifty years are realized In It, and the
best ard most progressive sentiment of this
present day approves it. The details of
the convention may with all safety be left
to leisureiy examination. They are the
work of competent men, with definite and
patriotic end In view. But the significance
of the convention Is something to be seized
at once and Is sufficient to give the country
the whole country-a thrill of pride and
pleasure.
QD The islands belong In our scheme of
advanced and rapidly advancing national
power. We are exclusively land power
no longer. We are sea power as well. 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 distance from our main
coast line will soon be annihilated. by the
laying of cable and the establish
ucHl VI line VI idSt StSSclS, anu
under the influences of speedy and frequent
communication the new country in itssfull
development will reflect both the spirit and
tie characteristics of the old.
ca 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 and habit, is now
garden spot, and the home CT millions.
When it was acquired, 1t was more difficult
and took more time to go from Washington
to New Orleans than now to go from San
Francisco TO Honolulu. Alaska is rapidly
developing under the stars and stripes
This is assurance in itself of our ability to
convert the Hawaiian islands at a very
early day, with the splendid start that
American civilization already has there
into territory prosperous and inviting
that it will I'LL UP with people of excellent
stamp and condition.
90 This step will arouse the people and
appeal to them on the score Of tine future
1t will serve a finger-board. pointing to
what Is before US. and how, If the country
is to take its proper place in the growth of
the world. the future must be met There
are just two conditions in the world, for
nations for individuals growth and
decay The United States cannot hope to
stand still. If 1t does not go forward it
Will certainly so backward But growth,
OF course does not mean a constant expau-
sion OF boundaries. 1t means the rising 10
all occasions when the country's welfare
demands it. and when to make itself pron
cry 1eit 1t must make itself strong
fhere Will follow some talk about Cuba
ihere are very many people who would be
siao 10 see Cuba speedily follow Hawaii
INTO the Union The topic is full Of susges-
''oh- but suficient unto the day is the
isiaho thereof. The Hawaiian group is ripe
Gnu we take 1t IN With Cuba as ripe and
as anxious for absorption-and that condi
uon seems swiftly approaching-who shall
say that the result in her case will NO, ha
the same?