The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-12

Of the United States contributed mill
ions Of dollars to bring the inhabitants
out Of wretched state of barbarism
and servitude and to secure them a
place among the civilized peoples Of
the earth. Americans gave them
written language, organized their
schools taught their Kings the prn-
ciples of government, for more than
half century We're the real admins
traitors of public affairs, and until the
rulers demonstrated their utter inca
pacity were the firmest supporters of
the native Government The United
States has by means Of the reciproc-
ity treaty, brought life and prosperity
to the islands and enabled the mer-
chants and planters to grow rich at
our expense.
1t is to-day virtually an American
colony. The paramount influence is
American. In no part Of the United
States is there more intense loyalty
shown to our country or it's institu-
tons During our civil war Hawaii
contributed much more than it's quota
of Americans to maintain the Union.
Every year the Fourth of July is cele-
brated with much enthusiasm by
public meeting in Honolulu. On Dec
Grafton Day the post of the Grand
Army of the Republic repairs to the
cemetery to keep green the memory
of the soldiers who lie buried there.
Thanksgiving Day is annually observ-
ed with even more Solemnity than in
the native land. The Americans of
Hawaii are loyal and patriotic sons OF
the fatherland and it would be a cruel
and undeserved fate to abandon them
to the rule of some foreign Power. Four
times in it's past history a foreign flag
other than that of the United States
has fioated over the islandS-frst the
Russian, then the French, afterward
the British, and again the French. Any
one of these Powers would gladly as
sumo sovereignty again, and to them
is to be added as a menace the rising
Power of Japan.
To my mind annexation presents no
political or administrative difficulties.
During the discussion four years ago
it was suggested by certain writer's OF
standing in the legal profession that
there was no authority given in the
Constitution of the United States to an
mex territory not contiguous. When
the purchase of Louisiana was first
suggested Mr.. Jefferson, a strict con-
structionist thought it could not be ac-
complished except by an amendment to
the Constitution but when the oppor-
tune moment arrived he heartily APP
proved the treaty, and nothing further
was heard of the constitutional amend
ment. The objection now advanced
does not seem to have had any weight
with the Executive or with Congress
when Alaska was acquired, nor will it
with enlightened statesmen to-day.
The islands should be admitted, not
as a State, but as part of the territory
of the United States, to be organized in
such manner as Congress in its wisdom
may determine. We have already three
forms of territorial government under
authority of Congress-in the District
of Columbia, in the Territories and in
Alaska One of these may be applied to
Hawaii or a new one instituted. Under
whatever form of Government, doubt
less, to the native Hawaiians and those
of American and European origin
would be granted the right Of suffrage
under proper conditions: and to the
Asatics would be applied the existing
prohibitive laws of the United States
which would lead them gradually to re-
turn to their own countries.
I do not regard the suggestion of a
protectorate as practicable. We cannot
assume it without becoming responsible
for the Government of the islands, and
we should not become responsible for
the Government unless we can exercise
a control in its creation and manage
ment. Such a system would bring no
end of complications with foreign Pow
ers and in domestic affairs We must
either annex the islands or leave them
free to make such other alliance as they
may choose or as destiny may deter
mine.
As rule I do not believe in the ex-
tension of our territory beyond our
present ocean limits. I think we should
develop within our own domain a great
IEnglish-speaking nation, controlled by
the principles marked out for us by the
fathers of the Republic. But it is pre-
cisely because want to see a great and
powerful nation-much greater and
more powerful than the one we now
have-developed on this continent that
/ hail the opportunity now offered of
securing this outpost of our Pacific
frontier and thus protecting for all
time our future mighty commerce and
rapidly growing interests on that coast
from the encroachments of The great
Powers striving for ascendancy in that
quarter of the globe.