The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-23
Good morning. said he and took his
seat. The House roared with laughter.

created sensation by delivering an en-
phatic speech against the annexation of
Hawaii His remarks were met by many
demonstrations of approval, from the
Democratic side. The persistency with
which the treaty of annexation was being
pressed, he said, gave color to the accusa-
tion made In 1898 that the revolution in
Hawaii was aided by the interposltion of
American citizens.
Mr.. Johnson gave some of the reasons
which impelled him to oppose annexa-
tion. One was the ignorance of the popu-
lation of Hawaii How long had it been,
he asked, since we had passed bill to
keep out the ignorance of the old world
that we now propose to annex territory
in which Ignorance was the rule, We
passed Chinese exclusion act he said and
now Ii was proposed to annex territory
which contained large Chinese polula
ton.
1t would be unwise and shortsighted if
we should cut loose from all the tradi-
tions of the past and rashly embark on
the unknown sea of territorial aggran
dizement. We had confirmed our expan-
sion to contiguous territory in the ac-
QUESTION OF Florida, Louisiana and
Texas.
In 1853. under Filmores presidency we
had been wise enough to reject these very
islands. We had also rejected the proffer
tion of Gen. Grant Congress had voted
down an appropriation to purchase San
Domingo. Only once had we departed
from the rule-in the purchase of Alaska,
and only the future could determine
whether that had been wise move.
Possession of sxtraneous territory meant
constant source of irritation. 1t was
urged that the Sandwich Islands were the
key to the Pacific, as II guns mounted
tharn cnu16 command thu N oI1a canal
and the Pacific coast, thousands of miles
away. The annexation of Hawaii would
establish bad precedent which we would
be urged to follow at an early day. He
did not deny, he said, that the acquisi-
ion of foreign territory had added to the
prosperity of nations. But history
showed it to have been ultimately
preston, it piled rp taxes, it stirred up
strife, it shed human blood, it was the
first step toward dismemb berment. Let
the nations OF the old world pursue this
policy of ACKNOWLEDGMENT to their hearts
content; let them saddle their people with
debit equip armies and nayies and shed
oceans of blood. Let England boast, If
she pleased, that the sun never set upon
her territory, but let US remember it never
went down upon the misery her policy
had created. Let wars and rumors of
war bring anxiety to tho faces of her
colonists, but let the flower OF her colonies
which broke away from her domination.
one hundred years ago and which BY pur-
suing the Opposite policy has outstripped
her, continue to stand as an example to
the civilized world. While Others sought
war and it's horrors, let US soothe our
people with enduring peace. The inter
nal reforms which our country demanded
presented field broad enough to enlist
our best Efforts. Let us not be known and |
execrated as the "roistering bull1es OF tho
western hemisphere. = While / am
proud of our navy" continued Mr.. |
johnson impressively, 81 some times
think that the powerful battleships we
have built have bred feelings of intoler- |
ancy and insolencc. Let our equipment |
insure peace rather than provoke war.
Applause My information is that the |
treaty will fail in the Senate, but4it will |
be supplanted by joint resolution pro-
viding for the annexation of tbs isse-t4s ,,
do not doubt its passage by the Senate,
and that it will come here. IT the Senate
falls to do its duty, let us fresh from the
people, exercise our high perogative and
send it to it's doom. (Applause.) trust
God it will not be made party measure. |
If we turn from this temptation now and |
adhere to the right, twenty-five years OF
peace and prosperity will vindicate our |
and posterity will bless our
Let us have the moral courage |
to say no to policy which leads, God
alone knows where. ;"
The demonstration which greeted the |
conclusion of Mr.. Johnson's speech was
one of the greatest and most spontaneous
witnessed in this Congress. Many of thesl
Republicans joined it. and the galleries
which were crowded gave evidence of ap- !
proyal. Members thronged about The
Indiana member when he took his seat |
and warmly congratulated him., The re-
lnainder of the day was almost entirely |
consumed in political speeches. Mr. |
Miers. Democrat of Indiana vigorously |
gold monoinetallism and the |
party, Mr.. Jones, Funionist, |
Of Washington, delivered a general speech |
ii opposition to existing conditions which |
aroused the minority to enthusiasm.
Mr.. Simpson, Populist of Kansas, |
created amusement by some observations.
He was speaking of the tendency OF the |
times to produce millionaires on the one
hand, and paupers on the other and was
directing his remarks especially at Mr.. |
Walker, when Mr.. Perkins, Republican |
Of Iowa. asked him if he would object to |
being a millionaire
II should not replied Mr.. Simpson |
amid laughter. II don't believe in play |
mo the hypocrite. But that 1 am not o
i
nation to take advantage Of my fellow
men,
eff you were millionaire l presume
you would admit that there was some re-
spectability among them?"
eyes, / have no doubt should add at
least an air of respectability to them. "
Laughter.
Mr.. Walker replied to Mr.. Simpson de-
nouncing the other side for its reiterated
aspersiors upon men of wealth. Turning
10 the Southern members he declared I'm
pulsiveIy that he had given to the cause
Of education in the South more than oil
Of them 4 together had contributed. |
. Figure it out, ~ he said with feeling,
tand you will find have given two
dollars for every one you have con-
tributed 1 am tired of this abuse
stand here in the integrity of an honest
life. have given away more than l now
possess. You have driven me to this
statement now hang your heads in
shame" (Great applause on Republican
side.)
At five O'Clock the general debate closed
md the House adjourned.
TO ENLARGE ARTILLERY.
Bill Passed the Senate With Little or No
Opposition.