The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-08-04
PRESENT AND FUTURE.


these islands to the United States
is foregone conclusion. 1t is true,
as the Don says, that the die is
cast" but nothing in this world
can be regarded as absolutely GER
tain, and no cause, however good,
can be won by simply sitting down
and waiting. 1t behooves the friends
of annexation-the true friends Of
these islands-to put in their best
work between now and December,
and to keep the matter well before
the eyes of the people in the United
States.
1t is a noteworthy fact that the
more the subject of the annexation
to the United States is discussed,
the better it is understood, the
more supporters it has. Some
months ago, though the statesmen
of the country saw the wisdom of
the course, the mass Of the people
was Indifferent. The people on the
western seaboard realized the ad-
vantages accruing to the United
States from the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands, but the people
of the interior states did not. Now
this is completely changed. The
people are no longer Indifferent
they are eager. The people of states
far removed from the ocean are as
eager for annexation as those of the
coast states. Michigan, Nebraska,
Utah and Illinois understand as
thoroughly, and demand annexa-
ton as eagerly as California or
Oregon.
Such is the condition of affairs in
the United States. Before Congress
took its recess, it was hoped that
the treaty might be ratified. The
tendency of all bodies petitionlng
for the annexation of the islands
was to have the notification made
at once. But the Senate is a Con-
sentative body-it is so meant to be
by the Constitution-and the Senate
likes to do things deliberately, and
so, in spite of popular clamor and
the eager desire of the people, the
ratification Of the Treaty has gone
over to December.
Now, though everything is il
train, though everything points tc
the realization of our wishes II
December, we must remember tina
the enemies of annexation will no
be idle during the recess. We mus
thoroughly understand that we have
bitter and INSCRIPTIONS enemies
Among these is the little knot O
Royalists which is playing its las
cards. Though not powerful
though the cause is bad one-stil
1t will be played for all its worth
and there are sentimental crank
who will sympathise with it, jus
as there are sentimental cranks wht
will weep over the ache in prince
finger and gaze dry-eyed at tn,
body of a pauper's child that ha'
starved to death.
Then there is the Trust in thi,
We have many and powerful enc
mics. Some of the enemies in thi:
are distinctly vindictive-with the
vindictiveness of those who have
been friendly and have ceased to b.
so. Here is a powerful engin,
against the cause, but it has beer
beaten in the extra session, anG
it will be beaten at the regula
session.
The Mugwump element is an
other that is inimical. Not very
actively inimical, because who eve
saw Mugwump that was active
Life is too wearisome to the average
Mugwump to draw his breath in
but he is passively inimical-aI
inert mass it is difficult to move.
Lastly, there is Japan. Her de
clared policy is to prevent annexa
ton if possible and this policy il
directly opposed to the interests o
the United States. Japan's plan
are being laid for the future-half
way into next century-and if thu
United States misses the chance O
countering those plans it will regre
the matter but once, and that is 70
all time.
Such are the forces we have t.
take into consideration-but GU
cause will win in spite of enemies.