The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-23
ANTI-HAWAHAN SPEECH
The FIRST GUN FIRED IN The HOUSE
BY A REPUBLICAN,
Many Members of His own Party
ana the Galleries Joined I'm Civ
ing Mr. Johnson the Heartiest
Applause of This Session-Dav
Devoted to- Political Addresses.

tat
ing Mr. Johnson the Heartiest
Applause of This Session-Dav
devoted to- Political Addresses.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-Washing-
ton birthday was celebrated in the
mouse, after a motion of Mr. Railav +O
adjourn had been voted down. with a
vast deal Of political speech-ma king.
ana 1t was also signaIized by the firing
Oh the hrst gun in opposition To Ha-
WaIian annexation.
Mr.. Johnson, an Indiana Republican
delivered a speech that electrified the
mouse and the galleries in danuncfatfou
or what he termed an attempt 10 cut
loose from the traditional policy of
the United States and enter upon a
scneIne or colonization that had proved
the ruin OF empires and of nations He
used some very strong aInguage, but
his remarks We're enthusiastically an
pIauded and the minority and many
Republicans Joined in the demonstra-
ton.
Mr. Johnson. in opening. referred TO
the contest now on in the senate over
hawaiian annexation, and said the
Irlends and supporters of the treaty
poth inside and outside Of the senate
were turning heaven and earth - se-
cure its adoption and that President
Mckinley was faboring to change the
convictions of senatorial opponents of
the measure He discussed the recent
visit of President Dole and suggested
mat the Hawaiian nation, unlike the
United states, had everything to gain
ard nothing to lose 4 am opposed TO
the annexation of Hawaii" ne contfn-
ued, because I believe the people Of
Hawaii are opposed to IT. I am not TO
be confused by this special plea that
Ar1t Of Ea DTa -,
Sandwich Islands is only to be obtain
cd from the views Of those who have
assumed 10 govern them"
Color TO Suspicion.
Whether the present government OF
Hawaii was a de facto or de iure
government, he declared that 1t misrep-
resented the people of Hawaii whose
rights it was ready to profrer away.
When it was charged, in 1893. at the
time when the republic succeeded the
monarchy, that the revolution was aid
ed by tnterposftion of American citf-
zens, I did not believe it was true"
said Mr.. Johnson, and I denied it
vigorously at the time. but the persis-
tency with which this treaty of annexa-
ton Is being pressed, gives color to the
accusation then made, and which 7
then so earnestly denounced"
Mr.. Johnson, continuing. gave some
or the reasons which tmpelled him TO
opposition TO annexation. The annex
alton Of Hawaii would establish a bad
precedent which we would be urged TO
follow at an early day. The appetite
grew by whst it fed upon. Today the
cry was, Give us Hawaii tomorrow
ii would be, Give US Cuba" and the
next day, Give US Samoa"
These appeals would all be justified
by the pleasant sOphistries which ap-
peaIed to our vanity and cupidity until
a last we would find ourselves ire
trtevably committed to policy un-
necessary to the material happiness OF
our people, hurryiug along a path
which was strewu with the wrecks of
empires and of nations. (AppIause}
Let US not be known and execrated
as the 'Boistering bullies Of the West
ern hemisphere. Our country Is all
powerful. The world comedies our
strength
while 7 am proud of our navy
continued Mr. Johnson. inpressiveIy
Il sometimes think that the powerful
battbeships we have built have bred a
feeling Of intolerance and insoIence.
1t IS not more true that a plethoric
treasury breeds public pIunder than
that well equipped army and navy
rashly lead to friction and war
Great Demonstration.
while 1t may seem that these re-
marks are premature and that 7 have
taken too firm grip on the forelock
OF time, it IS my purpose to sound the
alarm that the house and the country
may understand the character of the
proposition pending in the senate Ny
information Is that the treaty will fail
in the senate, but it will be supplanted
by q. joint resolution providing for the
annexation of the islands I do not
doubt its passage by the senate and
that 1t will come here. If the senate
fails to do IT'S duty. let us, fresh from
the people, exercise our high preroga-
tive and send it to its doom" (Ap-
plause)
The demonstration which greeted
the conclusion Of Mr.. Johusou's speech
was one of the greatest and most spon-
taneous witnessed in this congress.
Many of the Republicans Joined in it,
and the galleries. which were crowded,
gave evidences of approval. Members
thronged about the Indiana member
when he took his seat and warmly
congratulated him.
The remainder Of the day was almost
entirely consumed with political
speeches.
Mr. Miers Dem, Ind-) made a Wig
orous arraignnent Of gold monOmeual-
lisrn and the Republican party. Mr.
Jones (fusfonist, WaSh) delivered a
general speech in opposition to ex-
listing conditions which aroused the
minority TO enthusiasm, and Mr. Simp-
son pop. KAN created some auuuse-
ment by some Of his rather unique OBJ
servations.
Wealth Defended.
Mr. Walker CRep., Mass.) replied to
Mr.. Simpson denouncing the other side
Cor its reiterated aspersions Of men of
wealth
Turning 70 the Southern members he
declared impuIslvely that he had given
TO the cause Of education IN the South
more than all Of them together had
contributed.
Figure it out said he with feeling.
"and you will find I have given two
dollars for every one you have con-
tributed I am tired of this abuse I
stand here in the integrity of an honest
life. I have given away more than
now possess. You have driven me to
this statement, now hang your heads
IN shame" Great applause on Repub-
Iican side.)
Before the debate began Mr. Cannon
took the floor and made a general ex-