The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-10-14
Continued from 1st page.)

We often hear that the United
States ought to reach out and take
in other countries. The issue thus
raised opens broad field OF dispu-
tation iuto which l do not propose
Row to enter, further than to say
that from Mr.. Jefferson, whose
words upon this subject have been
often quoted, to very late date,
the policy and the teachings OF our
ablest statesmen have been against
the acquisition of any territory re-
curing navy to defend it. The
idea Of becoming strong by acquir-
ing something to protect is nov
city. We are asked TO annex the
islands because they are too weak to
live, and yet we are told that their
annexation will add to our strength.
But object to annexation upon
other grounds. While there are
many earnest and honorable men
who favor .ais step, still viewing the
matter from my standpoint, I re-
gard the present proposition as in
tensely dishonest. There are not
above 1000 American males on these
islands. These people, as believe,
through the fundamentally of Mr..
Stevens and under the American
flag, drove the former Government
from power and seized upon the
country. They call their establish
ment republic. This is misnemer.
No one has any voice in the Govern
ment except those who swear allegi-
ance to the oligarchy. No one else
voted on the Constitution. There
are hardly any of the natives who
cannot read and write, yet they are
disfranchiseds They are not con-
suited as to this cession of their
territory, or as to anything. 1t is
proposed that the United States
should be party to this open and
palpable effort to deprive innocent
people of their inherent privileges.
While they are not an aggressive
people, they are nevertheless far
from being savages. A member OF
the Dole establishment very recent
ly said that uGless annexation was
had the Hawaiian republic could
not maintain itself. II this is true,
it means that the Hawaiians will
take the matter into their own
hands. There Is no danger from
any outside source. 1t is the bust
ness of the present rulers to manu-
facture stories of foreign attack.
The truth is that Mr.. Dole and his
associates know that they represent
2 percent OF the people of the ISL
ands and that the other SO percent
will sometime or other assume
authority. This fear permeates the
language Of the proposed treaty. 1t
is not designed to make the islands
an ordinary Territory or State, for
in that event it might be difficult to
prevent the natives voting. If the
natives are allowed this right there
is not a man connected with the
present management who would be
permitted to hold any place. 1t is
plain case of the minority mana
cling the business Of the majority.
Something has been said with re-
ference to the fact that the Califor-
MIA Legislature in 1893 passed a re-
solution favoring annexation. A
number of the members of that
Legislature have told me, and / have
no doubt with entire accuracy, that
they paid but little attention to the
subject, and that the resolution went
through without particular refec-
ton. But if our Legislatures
opinion has any bearing upon this
subject it is only advisory. We find
that similar and later resolution,
which had passed the Assembly Of
1895, was defeated in the Senate by