The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-09-08
THE ANNEXATION TREATY

1 ne ITONlSlOnal government Wnltn
succeeded the Hawaiian monarchy on
the 18th day of January. A. ID. 1898,
was organized for the administration
of public affairs until such time as
terms of union with the United States
of America should have been agreed
on. Unexpected delays in the con
summation of such union having oc-
Cured, the Republic of Hawaii was
organized and proclaimed on the Ith
day of July, 4. ID. 1894. The funda-
mental law of the new republic con-
tanned the following words: "The
President with the approval of the
Cabinet, is hereby expressly author
ized and empowered to make a treaty
of political or commercial union be.
tween the Republic of Hawaii and the
United States of America subject to the
ratification of the Senate"
The Legislature of the Republic
joint resolutions endorsing the annex
at both of its sessions passed
alton policy of the Provisional Gov
eminent and of the Republic of Ha.
vail.
The grounds for the adoption or
this policy on the 18th day of Janu-
ary, A. ID. 1898 were, first, the exist
ing local conditions under which the
maintenance of stable government
was beset with great and increasing
difficulties; and the growing menace
to the small Hawaiian population in
volved in the impending immigration.
possibly unlimited. of races whose
civilization was not in accord with the
established institutions of the coun-
! try. Second-The rapidly developing
interests of the great naval powers
in the Pacific ocean which rendered
the permanence of the Independent
government of the Hawaiian Islands
extremely uncertain. Third-The i'm
portance of securing such permanence
of relations with the United States as
would render possible the development
of the resources of this country: and.
! fourth-an abiding conviction that it
was for the best interests of all of the
people of these Islands.
All of these reasons for annexation
TO the United States or America still
exist, and subsequent events have em
phasized their Importance.
| | would further call your attention
to the friendly and protecting pol
icy of the government of the United
States of America toward this coun-
which has existed from the inception
of its foreign relations, whereby the
danger of foreign interference has.
been lessened, the stability of the Ha-
waiian Government has been promot-
ed and trade relations have been de
veloped to the great benefit of Ha
waii.
An important feature of the treaty
submitted to your consideration is
the provision that all Hawaiian laws
and customs regulations not incon-
sisten' with the treaty under consid-
Grafton, not contrary to the constitu
tion or treaties of the United States
of America, shall remain in force un-
til changed by Congress; such legisla-
tion by Congress to be preceded
by report to that body from five
commissioners. at least two of whom
shall be residents of the Hawaiian Is
lands, recommending such legislation
concerning Hawaii as they shall deem
necessary or proper. Thus is deliber-
alton assured as to the ultimate form
of government for the Territory of
Hawaii, and the injury that inevit-
ably follows sudden changes of polit-
zeal conditions precuded.
In submitting this most important
measure to your consideration,
would remind you that you are the
representatives of the interests of the
whole Hawaiian community of every
class and name. and / cannot doubt
that in reaching your decision you
will be guided by the conscientious
and patriotic desire to promote its
best and most lasting prosperity.
THE OPPOSING RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, 1t has been submitted tC
4 t1..s
America by the President of the Unit
ed States of America and its Secretary
of State, treaty for the annexation
of Hawaii to the United States 81
America, and which still lies with tn,
said Senate for action thereon to b,
had at its regular session which shal
be in December next, and
Whereas, A proclamation was is
sued by S. b. Dole, President of tn,
Republic of Hawaii, calling all of tn,
members of the Senate of this Repub
lie to assemble in special session o.
said Senate to be convened at the EX
ecutive building, in Honolulu, Islant
of Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, on the Stl
inst, for the consideration of the ques
ton of the ratification of the said pro
posed treaty of annexation of Hawai-
to the United States of America, anC
"Whereas, The native Hawaians ant
n large majority of the peonle of tn,
Hawaiian Islands have been in direc
opposition to the annexation of IIa
waii to the United States of America
and
Whereas, The native Hawaiian'
and large majority Of the people q
these islands have fully believed IL
the Independence and free autonomy
of these Islands and to the continun
tion of the Government of Hawaii a,
of free and independent country gov
erned by and under its own laws
therefore. be ii
Resolved We. who in mass meeting
assembled on the 9th dav of Septcm
ber, \. ID. 1897, at the City of Honolu
lu aforesaid. for ourselves and for ant
on behalf of the people of Hawaii, a
well as for the large majority of tn,
people of the Hawaiian Islands, earn
estlv protest against the annexation
Of Hawaii 10 the United States o
America in any form or shape"