Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-16

10 some of them; but that does not change
the Iact that We have made this inxular
territory part OF our domain and that
protect IL.
IF il is wise and expedient 10 annex an.
sular territory TO fertilize American soil IN
the name OF God. how can YOU consistently
refuse to annex similar territory to protec,
American people? The protection OF our
interests in the Pacific ocean and on the
coast of that sea should be regarded every
where. except perhaps In New England. OF
our soil
Another important fact bearing on this
brarch of the question is the annexation
IN 1867. of the Island OF Midway and the
appropriation Of $4,000 by Congress for
the improvement OF it's harbor and to con-
vert IL into naval station. This island is
about l.loo miles west of Honolulu It be-
longs TO the Hawaiian group. After the de-
struction of vessel on it's reefs. the at
tempt 10 make IL a naval station was aban-
doned. hut the island remains the properfy
of the United States
Has its annexation. or the annexation of
tne Aieutlan Islands. or any OF the seventy
islands annexed heretofore involved us in
international difficulties? Did their arnex-
alton or the annexH ton of Alaska conflict
less with the alleged traditional policy OF
our government thin wo..id the annexation
of the Hawaiian .slands2 The only tradi-
tonal policy of Cur government has been 10
annex any territory deemed essential to
the growth and development Of our country
ana to the protection of that which We pos
sessed. whether contiguous or insular
rs the policy of the government concern
ing the annexation of territory affected by
the motive which prompted the annexa-
tl"nE No; the motive goes only to the
question of eNpediency. II does not change
or AFFECT its policy. Therefore IL IL has
been our policy to annex insular territory
Tor any purpose. the annexation Of the ISL
amos or Hawaii. no matter what the mo-
ha n ~. -, ..F 49,
Icy. nor would IL constitute a precedent,
Tor the precedent has long since been es-
stablshed."
Hawaii Our Buttrcss
In conclusion. Mr.. Tawney made the fol-
lowing eloquent plea for annexation:
The audible rumh]ings on the other side
of the Atlantic should warn us that the
spirit OF national ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, of terri
torial acquisition and greed of commercial
power is abroad in that land. The eyes of
the world and the nayies of the principal
nations OF Europe are now turned iowa I'd
tie far-off land Of the cel.sfials The i'm
portance OF Hawaii to the great interests
OF European countries in that part of the
world would promptly demand It's annexa-
ton III VIC did not consider IL worth having
TO reject these islands under these cir
Gums stances, sir, would be a crime against
the American people Their possession by
any foreign power would give to that pow
would inevitably retard the growth of ou-
&C mmerce on that sea and he a perpetual
menace to that imperial domain lying in
the morning shadows of the Rocky noun
tainS.
THE fruit of the policy inaugurated by
Webster and Tyler, and 50 long aintained
by all political parties. Is now ripe. II is
ready to drop from the tree planted by the
hands of American statesmen. We must
accept it or allow ii TO fan into the hands
of some other power.
Following, therefore. the teachings Of
that enlightened patriotic American states
manship which. TO promote the general well
fare Of the people and to insure the preser-
walton of the republic, has in the past ac-
quired territory, whether contiguous or in
srlar we should ratify and confirm the
far-seaing judgment and intelligent action
of President Mckinley. thereby throwing
around these islands the shield Of Amcri-
can Sovereignty and planting upon them
that starry emblem of liberty, thus warn
ing the natiors of the world that the is
lands of Hawaii the gems of the Pacific
ere to he forever a buttress and never 40
be menace TO that splendid section OF orr
country whose shores. from Rering strait
&c the northern boundary OF Mexico. are
washed by the surf pillows of the Pacific"
Cloud applause.)