Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-13
VOICES OF The PRESS.
HistOrical-The Policy OF lniany Defeated
al Last.
CNeN York SUM

NNtN tIh sum-
The Senate has passed ny a two-
thirds majority tha Newlands resotu-
tions annrxing Hawaii. The last Oh
stacle to the extension Of American
sovereignty over these islands has been
overcome. The flag which the Cleve-
land policy of infamy hauled down III
April 81 1898 goes up again in July of
1898. The America OF the 21th century
has taken its first and most signifGan;
step toward the grave responsibilities
and high rewards Of manifest destiny.
The constant hope Of The san during
the past five years has been aplendidly
realized; and today the names Of four
Republicans. two Of them living and
Two OF them dead. two Of them Prcsi-
dents Of the United States. all of them
true Americans, stand forth conspicu-
Dusly for honor and gratitude in the
celebration Of this m1mentous national
event: james &. Blaine, John l..
Stevens, benjamin Harrison and Viii
liam Nick nley.
To the memory of Blaine. first Of all.
thu just recognition that is due. 1t is
more than 10 years nov since tn" far
seeing mind Of that great statesman
ana great American began to concern
| itself with the question of Hawaiian
annexation. Mr.. Blaine's personal
| friend in Augusta. Maine, the Hon.
| Luther Severance. was appointed ny
| Zachary Taylor as minister at Homo
| lulu. Mr. Severance came back thor
oughly convinced of the Importance of
| the islands To US and a firm believer
that sooner or later they would be an
| nexed. Mr.. Severance, alike his fellow
townsmen, Mr.. Blaine and Mr.. stevens
was a part owner of the Kennebec
Journal The Hon. Edwin G. Burleish
of Maine has recently recalled the cir
cumstance that when Mr. Blaine be-
came the editor of that newspaper. ir
1854, he wrote for the very first number
| printed under his management a
vigorous editorial article urging Ha-
| walian annexation. His partner and
| successor in the kennebec Journal
John l.. Stevens, shared his conviction
on this subject. And when BENJAMIN
Harrison became President, and James
G. Blaine secretary OF state Mr.
! Stevens was chosen for the diplomatic
mission to Hawaii. There, during the
| We.l-remembered events of the rcvolu.
tion of January, 1898. against Liliuo.
ka!ani and the monarchy, this faithful
| and patriotic American and homes,
| man ho.sted the flag which was pulled
down By Paramount Blount, to the
| shame ana disgust of the Americas
| people and the everlasting disgrace OF
the Cleveland administration. afte,
the treaty of annexation negotiated b,
Harrison had been Withdrawn from tbs
Senate of the United States by Grove,
| Cleveland.
Was there Conspiracy" to acquire
Hawaii in 1898? If so, Harrison ana
Blaine and Stevens were the conspira-
tors; and glory is theirs for the con.
| ception.
Late in November of 1892 Mr.. Steven.
had sent home from Honolulu to An.
gusta, to bis newspaper, the kennebec
journal. an article On the subject OF
Hawaii in relation to national interests
| IN the Pacific, which was so striking
IN Us statement of facts, so acute in its
provision. so manifestly prophetic in it.
| conclusions, and so thoroughly imprer-
mated with Intelligent patriotism thai
| The Sun then called the attention OF
| the country to it az an impressive
| warning that the time was near al