The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-12-09
HENDERSON, n. c.. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1897.

century has proclaimed the vital in
terest OF the United States in the in
dependent life of the islands and their
intimate commercial dependence upon
this country. AT the same time 1t has
been repeatedly asserted that in no
event could the entity of Hawaiian
statehood cease by the passage of the
islands under the domination or in
huence of another power than the
United States. Under these circum-
stances the logic of events required
that annexation, heretofore offered but
declined, sho-.d in the ripeness of time
come about as the natural result of the
strengthening ties that bind US to those
islands and be realized by the free will
Of the Hawaiian state.
That treaty was unanimously rati-
fed without amendment by the senate
and president of the republic of Ha-
waii in the 10th of September last, and
only awaits the favorable action of the
American senate to effect the complete
absorption of the islands into the do
main Of the United States. What the
conditions Of such a union shall be, tn.
political relation thereof to the United
States, the character of the local ad-
l
the elective franchise of the inhabi-
tantS, the extension of the federal laws
to the territory, or the enactment of
special laws to fit the peculiar condi-
tion thereof, the regulation if need be
Of the labor system therein, are all
matters which the treaty has wisely
relegated to the congress-
SHOULD BE CONFIRMED.
If the treaty is confirmed, as every
consideration of dignity and honor re-
Quires, the wisdom of congress will SEQ
to it that. avoiding abrupt assimila-
ton of elements perhaps hardly yet
fitted to share in the highest fran
chises of citizenship, and having due
regard to the geographical conditions
the most just provisions for self rule
In local matters, with the largest po-
l1tical liberties as an integral part OF
our nation will be accorded to the Ha-
Wallans. No less is due to a people
who after nearly five years of demon
strated capability to fulfill the obliga-
tions of self governing statehood, come
of their free will to merge their des-
| TIMES in our body polite.
The questions which have arisen be-
tween Japan and Hawaii. by reason Of
| igrating to the islands under the Ha-
Waiian-Japanese convention of 1888, are
| in a satisfactory stage of settlement
| by negotiation. This government has
| not been invited to mediate, and on the
| other hand has sought no intervention
in that matter, further than to evince it's
| kindlieSt disposition toward a speedy
| and direct adjustment by the two SOW
| ereign states in interest as shall COM
| port with equity and honor 1t is graf
| flying to learn that the apprehensiOns
| at first displayed on the part of Japan
| lest the cessation of HawaiiS national
| life through annexation might impair
privileges to which Japan honorably
| laid claim, have given place to conf
dence in the uprightneSs of this gov
ernment, and in the sincerity of its
purpose to deal with all possible ul-
terror questions in the broadest spirit Of
| friendliness.
The president declares that he has
concluded that Mr.. William L. Merry
! shall proceed to San Jose, Costa Rica,
| as minister to Nicaragua, Salvador and
Costa Rica, and Mr.. Godfrey Hunter
! as minister to Guatemala and Hon
| duraS.
The message deals but lightly with
the Nicaragua canal project, declaring
| that in the future he will transmit to
congress the report of the special COM
mission now employed in making plans
for it's construction.
Regarding the appointment of Messrs
Wolcott, Stevenson and Paine as BIZ
metallic commissioners the message
says:
THE BIMETALLIC COMMISSION.
The gratifying action of.eur sister re-
public of France in joining this coun-
try in the attempt to bring about an
| agreement among the principal COM
mercial nations of Europe, whereby a
fixed and relative value between gold
and silver shall be secured, furnishes
assurance that we are not alone among
the larger nations Of the world in re-
aizing the international character Of
the problem and in the desire Of
reaching some wise and practical So
luton of it. Our special ENJOYS have
not made their final report, as further
| negotiations between the representa-
| tives of this government and the gov
| ernments of other countries are pending
and in contemplation They believe that
doubts that have been raised in certain
quarters respecting the position of
between the metals and kindred ques-
tions may yet be solved by further ne
gotiatiOnS.
Meanwhile it gives me satisfaction to
state that the special envoys have al
| ready demonstrated their ability and
fitness to deal with the subject and It
Is to be earnestly hoped that their la
bors may result in an international
agreement which will bring about rec
ognition of both gold and silver as
honey upon such terms and with such
safeguards as will secure the use Of
both metals upon a basis which shall
work no injustice to any class Of our
citizens.
Referring to the appointment Of Hon
John A. kasson as a special commits
sioner to negotiate for the execution
of the reciprocity provisions OF the
tariff law the president believes thai
by a careful exercise of the powers OF
that act our commercial exchange:
may be enlarged with advantage Il
both contracting parties
| The president urges that special Ell
fort be made to extend our merchan
marine, and then discusses the recen
Bering sea seal negotiations. and re
! ferring to the conference with can
adian commissioners says:
The result of this conference was al
agreement of important facts connected
with the condition of seal herd here
!. tofore in dispute. which should plac
!, beyOnd controversy the duty OF tn
, governments concerned to adopt meas
ures without delay for the preserVatlo
and restoration of the herd. Nego
tIations to this end are now in progress
the result of which l hope to be abl
to report to congress at an early day
INTERNATIOEAL ARBITRATION.
International arbitration cannot b
!, omitted from the list Of subjects claim
2 ing our consideration Events haV
only served to strengthen the genera
3 views on this question expressed IN m
inaugural address. The best sentimeH
= of the civilized world is moving to"al
e the settlement Of differences betwee
v nations without resorting to the horror
p of war Treaties eubOdying these hC