The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-18
NOW NOT THEN.

The arguments of Harper's Weekly
against the annexation of the Hawaii
an Islands seem on the face of them
specious, but they are at heart fall
lacious. The writer in 'IIarper's,"
whoever he may be, certainly does not
write as an ignorant man, but he
writes as very selfish man. Accord
ing to his view, the Hawaiian Islands
will always necessarily be under the
influence of the United States and that
all advantages" can be had for asking.
"Why, them" the article goes on to
say, burden ourselves with any polit-
zeal responsibility for those islands,"
The idea of tie writer in "Harper's
Weekly" is the very huckster's plan,
and the average huckster not only does
not get ahead, but very frequently gets
left-to use vulgarism, but one en-
inently to the point-"in the soup"
Reading between the lines, it seems
as if the writer in 'Harper's Weekly
had an innate hatred of the American
Navy. He is afraid that the anneXa-
tion of the Hawaiian Islands will cause
What if it does? Are the United
States so poor and so unpatriotic that
they grudge the pay of Jack Tar and
his officers? Are they not proud of
their ships and their sailors? From
papers to hand the retort final is made
The United States are proud of their
navy and proud of the increase of it.
ANY cause which adds to its efficiency
and usefulness will be to the advant-
age not only of the navy, but of what
is of far more Importance, the Nation!
Another point that the writer tries
to make is that the present Hawaiian
Government is a government of usurp-
ers. The argument comes strangely
from the pen of one who is supposedly
citizen of the United States. Was
George Washington a usurper? He
was the representative of free govern
ment against autocracy, which was
condemned as much in England as it
was in the Colonies. The elder Pitt,
with all his eloquence, inveighed
against the Stamp Act as a nullity, a
document of no more validity than
Charles writ of shipmoney, or James
proclamation dispensing with the
penal laws. That in his dotage he op-
posed the recognition of the Colonies
has nothing to do with the point. In
his prime he saw, and many others
with him, what the true theory of lib
erty was.
If Washington was right in the
United States, so were Sanford b.
Dole and those who have supported
him here. The liberties of the Anglo
Saxon on these Islands were in abso-
lutte danger, and they would have been
faithless to the traditions of their race
had they not done what they did in the
year 1898. The justification of their
course is in the absolute success of it
and the advantages that have accrued
TO the country since.
AS has been put forth in these col
uillllS lllllt anu again, II - Hol lol III
ternal reasons that the Annexation
party desire Incorporation with the
United States. The danger comes from
abroad. In spite of the statement in
''Harper's" that mo foreign power
will lay its hands upon the Hawaiian
Islands against the protest of the
United States" The Star must beg
leave to differ. In all affairs there is
the turn of tide. The opportunity tl
take possession of the Hawaiian
Islands now, in a peaceable manner, s
given to the United States Who car
tell how much blood and treasure #
may cost twenty years from now? TIC
use the words of Holy Writ, in nj
spirit of irreverance-"Now is the ap
pointed time!"