The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-09-16
THE PLATFORM.


and mastery document, advocating
first and foremost the sheet anchor
of the party, the very corner stone
upon which it hangs together-an-
nexation-and then laying down
series of strong and healthy opin-
ions such as every voter, no mat
ter of what nationality or stripe
must desire to see honestly carried
out
OF annexation at this stage there
need be here no argument. 1t is
proved proposition that it is the
thing, and the only thing, that will
secure to the Hawaiian, to the
Latin, and to the Anglo-Saxon
races upon these Islands that pro-
lection for their interest, their in
dustry, and their very existence
which they need. AS far as the
Hawaiian side Of the question is
concerned, the country, through
its representatives, has spoken.
The treaty as presented by Presi-
dent Mckinley has been ratified by
the Senate of the Hawaiian Re-
public. That this treaty will also
be ratified by the Senate of the
United States there is every hope.
That annexation will come there is
no doubt, though, knowing the
forces arrayed against it, we may
feel satisfied that there will be
bitter struggle to prevent it. The
American Union Party on these
Islands has been pledged to annex
alton from its inception, and it will
remain its corner stone until it has
been carried out. No matter what
stripe of thought the members of
the party may be; no matter
whether Republicans or Democrats !;
no matter whether supporters of
free silver or of gold standard; no
matter Of what nationality, whether
American or European, all differ
ences cease before the one great
aim and object of the party-an-
neXation to the United States.
That the platform of the party
should commend the Government
for its courageous conduct of affairs
Is most just. 1t is easy to criticise
and find fault, but when the history
of the administration is written, it
will be found that strong commend
alton must be given to this body of
men who have guided the ship of
state in many trying and dangerous
positions, In nothing have they
shown their courage and determine
ton more than in the matter OF
Japanese immigration. A small,
weak power has protected itself
from an overwhelming avalanche of
Asiaticism, under which the civili-
cation Of the West must have gone
to the wall. That we had the
sympathy and protection of our
Great Neighbor detracts nothing
from the boldness and determination
which took the bull by the horns
and turned it aside before it could
gore us.
In dealing with internal affairs
the platform is comprehensive and
progressive. The employment of
Asiatic labor and of prison labor
upon public works is opposed, and
this must meet the appreciation of
every mechanic and free laborer
here. The improvement, of harbor
all wharf facilities, and the acquire
ment by the Government of all
harbor front property throughout
the Islands appeals to every district
from Haena to Kalae. 1t shows
that the Honolulu section of tie
party will assist the country districts
in obtaining what to them is p-iue
necessity, and that the capital city
appreciates and aims at broader
field than tine mere wants of local
nature.
The Income Tax is measure in
which all will acquiesce. That the
law was found technically unsound,
as passed by the last Legislature,
will only make the next House the
more careful in drawing another
No tairer method of taxation has
ever been devised, for it is one
which puts the burden of contribut-
ing revenue upon those best able to
bear it.
The planks referring to restriction
f Asiatic immigration, to the pro,
motion of the settlement of public
lends by small land holders, and
offering inducements for introduce
tion of farmers, laborers and artizans
from the United States are on the
lines of true progress and promi e
to build up for us that sturdy popu-
latinn which IS above all thinos