The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-16
ANNEXATION OF
HAWAII ENDORSED
coatinss1, From Page /.

HsfeA argued cE1ef5y the SIN OF tdosatFy
in Hawaii in opposition to the resolutions
Spaldsng u Michigan advocated the res
olusions. and Bel, of Texas opposed taeul-
arguing against their eonstitutioaality.
Bradley OF New York spoke for. and
Lowe Of Pennsylvania and LAuney of Ken
lucky against.
Parker OF New Jersey advocated the res
olutsons. and Meier OF Louisiana followed
in opposition paying special attention 10
the injury which he declared would be in
Aie;sd upon the sa.ao people engaged in
louisiana In the sugar industry.
johnson Of Indiana was then recognized
for speech In opposition. He laid down
the argument that annexation was unnec-
essary TO prevent the island from falling
into the hands of some other power to be
used against us, and thar the proposition
10 annex was inherently wrong. and was
the opening wedge upon an undesirable
and disastrous policy of eoioniza ton.
bolivar of Iowa. speaking In support Of
the resolutions. refuted the charge that
the annexationlsts had any hidden motives
looking TO colonial expansion.
Smith of Michigan, member Of the COM
mites on foreign affairs. advocated an
nexa,ion. ''our action today will make a
new era In national AFFAIRS he said. He
reviewed the efforts for annexation and
continued:
There Is not ma tion in the word that
does not recognize the Importance of the
Hawaiian islands 10 the, United States.
Are we blind 20 our interests when the
disin;erested vision of others Is so clear?
WIZ we longer neglect this plain duty,
now SO near consumma.ion?
Smith argued al considerable length the
constitutional power to annex new terri
tory.
Annexation Is not new to u.s." said he.
In my humble opinion the whole North
American continent and every island in
the gulf and Caribbean sea, and such
islands in the Pacific as may be deemed de-
sirahle. are worthy OF our ambition. No,
that We are earth hungry, but as meas
ure of national protection and advantage,
1t Is the duty OF the American people to
lay peaceful conquest wherever oppor-
tunity may be offered,
1T has been argued that our constitu-
ton makes no provision for d colonial sys-
TEN. but II President Monroe had been
merely lawyer; IL he had contented him.
self by looking for precedent, which he
was unable 10 find: if he had consulted the
jurisprudence of his time, and planned
his action along academic lines. the great
est doctrine ever announced to the civil
ICED world which now bears his name would
have found TO voice potent enough and
courageous enough to have enc:rcled the
Western hemisl here within its peaceful
circle"
AS to an alliance with England, Smith
said:
South America and the Orient are the
natural trade allies of the United States
Their relations 70 us must grow more i'm
portant and desirable in the years TO come
Then why tax of an Anglo-American al
lance? Who is SO shortslghted as to wish
us 20 assume any responsibility, however
remote, for the faithful performance of the
multitude Of agreements. treaties and pro-
tocols OF England? To be sure, they are
our natural Kin. and we are proud of cur
ancestry, but our friendship will be more
enduring. and our burdens easier 10 bear
IL We refrain from en.angling alliances
with any power across the sea
Such territory III the ocean or gulf
"hsch naturally belongs to- our govern
ment We can make our own in due sea-
son, and wisdom would seem TO prompt us
10 leave no natural or willing ally. weak
and defenseless as Il may be TO become
the mere toy of an aggressive empire
importing our peace and good order The
Pacific ocean. unfettered by European sub
jugation. can be made indeed pacific II we
are wise enough TO garner the harvest now
so ripe for our sickle.
Who opposes this wise policy. that has
received the sanction of so many presi-
dents? The same hating. hesitating con-
servatism that admonished Washington
against taking in the Northwest territory
and prompted Benjamin Franklin TO favor
its REIMBURSEMENT; the same doubling
conservatism that deprived us OF Canada
In the war of 1872. and defeated py tie
vote in the senate the treaty for the an
nexation OF San Domingo. Had President
Grants fervent wishes been granted our
flag would today wave over the island
and from the folds of the Stars and
Stripes. dedicated 10 liberty AID union,
would float our over the gulf and sea that
spirit of patriotism. tempering the entirs
archipelago. Should 1t have been accepted
when iendeTede
Then IS II not our duty 10 accept the
Hawaiian islands. situated with difference
10 our country as advantageous,v In the
Pacific as San Domingo is at tie glilfs
The faintesi announcement would have
been sufficient for some countries 20 have
VIII be unfaithful 20 those that follow 4
We do not lessen the possibilities of war
by taking into the national Union such
naval outpOsts as are naturally Il part OF
cur country
After arguing the commercial and STRAIT
eg!c Importance Of the islands. Smith con-
claded:
"A hundred years ago Il was predicted
Of our nation that X would some day
stretch lis arms upon two oceans and d.
rect the vessels from one 20 the other By
N artificial route through Lake Nicaragua
that would change the course % the com
n1src.al world and OF empires Let Us rise
10 the occasion today and meet tails inpor-
lant ex.gsncy in our national affairs with
courage and patriotism. and inspired By
the glorious achievements or the past
prepare for greater victories In she years
- cone and thus prove ourselves worthy
the proud legacy fortune gave as by In
herltance."
Williams Of Mississippi concluded the
debate for the opposition. He devoted