The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-23

WASHINGTON. Feb. 22.--The first sun
In opposition TO Hawaiian annexation. hy
Johnson iRep) OF Indiana. electrified tina
house today. In denounciug what hs
termed an attempt to cut loose from tho
traditional policy of the country and fur
ther scheme OF colonization that had
proved the ruin Of empires and Of na-
tons. he used some very strong Language.
hut his remarks were enthusiastically an
piauded by the minority and many Re-
puohcans joined in the demonstration. lie
declared that while he had denounced ar
the tire the statement that the Hawaiian
monarchy had been overthrown by tho
aid Of American citizens, tha. he now
firmly believed 1t was true. The speech.
coming entirely unexpected. produced /
deep impression.
The general debate on tho sundry civil
bill was concluded today. ana tomorrcw
the bill will be taken UP for amendment.
No Advantage 10 AmAriea.
Johnson, in opening. referred 70 the con.
test In the senate over Hawaiian annex
alton, and said the friends and support
ers OF the treaty, both inside and ontslds
or the senate. were turning heaven and
earth to secure its adoption, and ttat
President Mckinley was laborinr ~
cnange the convictions OF senatorial OPP
ponents Of the measure He discussed ia
recent visit of President Dole. and sur.
gested that the Hawaiian nation. unlike
the United States. had everything to glia
and nothing 10 lose. lie urged concentra-
ton OF popular attention on the issue arl
the disabuse Of the minds OF the people of
erroneous impressions. and asserted that.
cree put TO the test. either in the senate
or IN the house. tho American people
would be quick to discover the dang.
involved. and 50 condemn IT,
1T viii be buried beyond the possfl,Il
ity even OF an ultimate resurrection.
tApplauseD
1 am opposed to the annexation Of
Hawaii" he continued because he
AeVe the people OF Hawaii are oppo.af
10 II. am not TO be confused by thls
special plea that the real sentiment Of
the people Of the Sandwich Islands is only
10 be obtained from the views OF those
who have assumed 20 govern them. That.
SIR. is the merest technicality. There IA
no room here for the application OF tho
narrow doctrine OF estoppel
Whether the present government or
Hawaii is n De facto or de- jure govern
ment, IL misrepresents the people OF Ua-
wall. whose rights 1t is ready TO proffer
away.
When Il was charged, In 1899 at the
time the republic succeeded the monarchy
that the revolution was aided by the IN
terposition Of American citizens / dld
not believe Il was true: ana / denied il
very vigorously at the time: hut tho per
sislency with which this treaty Of au-
nexation Is being pressed gives color 10
the accusation then made which / so
earnestly denounced"
Hawaii's Ignorant People.
johnson gave some az the reasons which
impel!ed him TO oppose annexation. one
was the ignorance OF the population II
Hawaii. How long had il been. he asked.
since We had passed n bnl % keep out
the ignorant q the old world? Bat now
we proposed 10 annex territory in which
ignorance was the rule not the exception.
We had passed the Chinese exclusion act;
now it was proposed 70. annex territory
which contained large Chinese popula-
ton. lie dld not favor the holding of ter
rltory under the shadow Of tho American
hag a colonial policy might be adapiel
70 the nations ~ antiquity. but Il would
not do for a free country which derived
its powers from the consent OF The gov
crned Il would be unwise ana short
sighted K we should ca. loose from al
tho traditions of the past ard rashly en-
bark On the unknown sea of territorial
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