The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-02-11


Of governments founded on the principle
az the popular will, and 1t will be crime
II we allow either England or Japan to
fasten upon Hawaii governmental sys-
tenn that her most enlightened citizens do
not approve. In this connection we should
keen in mind the fact that If we refuse the
nroffer now made of annexation, Hawaii
may be-and probably will be-compelled
20 seek refuge under the flag of some strong
European or Asiatic power.
Hawaii is important to the United States
both in business and military sense If
annexed, our people will transplant to
those fertile islands the energy and enter
prise so characteristic of Americans, and
the commercial advantage to us will be
very great. If annexed, IL would not be
long before the oonglonerate population
now inhabiting the islands would be COM
pletely dominated by citizens Of this
country, and Hawaii would become essen
TALLY and truly an American colony. The
population today is no more un-American
than was that of California when we came
In possession of that vast territory, and it
will DO remembered that tho American
spirit and idea soon superseded the notions
and traditions of the Spanish race. just SO
will ii be in Hawaii. and all the wild talk
about our acquiring territory inhabited
by barbarians and lepers will speedily dis
appear
Today we are at peace with all the world,
but In the readjustment of boundaries now
taking place in the far east and the con-
troversies over Cuba and the seal question
with Spain and Great Britain who can
tell how soon this country may be involved
in deadly WARP England, the great pi-
rate among the nations of the world, is con
stantly extending her bounds and strength
ening her strategic points. Her defenses
almost encircle the Atlantic coast and she
is now looking longingly toward the Pa
cific, with a view to commanding the
commerce of that great highway of trade.
How gladly would she establish another
Gibraltar on the coast of the Sandwich Is
lands Once in possession of Hawaii and
with Qualifications rivaling those of Glib
raltar, Bermuda and Halifax, this great
nation would not be at the mercy of Great
Britain on the Pacific, as we are today on
the Atlantic. On the other hand, with
Hawaii as an integral part of the United
States, governed by some wise code of ter
ritorial or colonial laws, we become the
acknowledged ruler of the Pacific, and our
government is In position to largely die
tate the policies of trade between the ma
tions of the east and the west. We will
have station easily made impregnable)
for our vessels in time of war as well as in
time of peace, and the strength and gran
deur of our institutions will be greatly ex.
tended
The time Is ripe for an aggressive policy
on the part of this country. England,
France, Germany and Russia are extend
ing their possessions in all directions
Africa, Turkey and China are to be dis
membered and partitioned out TO this
quartet OF powerful and ambitious gov
ernments. On the north of us the great
dominion of Canada Is in the hands of
Great Britain, and her highways of trade,
Doth by land and water, are receiving the
careful attention of the mother country.
The United States alone is standing STILL
and our people are asked to listen TO the
siren voice of those who oppose any extern
sion of our present boundaries. If Canada
should be offered to us, the same cry of
opposition would 60 up as Is now heard in
reference to the acquisition of Hawaii. If
CUBA should be rendered as q free gift,
.hese same men and newspapers would
argue that that fertile island, lying in the
very gateway of our commerce, should re-
main in the hands of bankrupt and des-
potic Spain. The offer of Hawaii equally
meets the opposition and condemnation of
.nose whose craftsmanship largely consists
IN shouting lingo" whenever a sugges-
uon Is mado that we can safely extend our
territorial domain or properly desire the
success OF men battling for freedom and
Independence,
fortunately the masses of the American
people do not share this feeling, nor are
.ney controlled by the wishes of the stock
!oooers and money changers Of the coun-
Try In the great American heart there Is
sympathy for the oppressed everywhere
anu patriotic purpose to make this coun.
Wy strong enough to resist all attacks by
.anu and by sea. Looking to the future
.ney see In the annexation of Hawaii on
opportunity to lift people and q govern
.nens TO higher plane than they now &C.
oupy and at the same time to add strength
anu influence to this the greatest republic
VI the world. Popular feeling and senti-
,nent indorse the movement, and ] have
.a'tn to believe that congress, by ratifying
we treaty Of annexation, will voice the de-
'nesa and Will Of the great American heart.
j. ii. CHALLENGER.
United States Senator.