The herald., 1898-07-17
EXTINCTION MORE PROBABLE

EXTINCTION MORE PROBABLE
The fact that the native people, right
fui owners Of the Sandwich islands. were
DISTINGUISHED by the conspirators who
succeeded in overthrowing the monarchy,
and were given no voice either in the es-
Establishment of the Dole government, nor
yet in the cession to the United States by
that government of their heritage, has
had controlling influence with those who
have arrayed themselves in opposition to
annexation. Their position has been
logical. For warrant it goes back to the
fundamental declaration upon which the
government of the United States was es-
tablished. For additional warrant it
has the more recent declaration, contained
In the resolutions Of congress, that the
people of Cuba are and of right ought to
be Free The immortal declaration of
independence sets up the doctrine that
"all men are created free and equal
"all" applying as well to Hawaians as to
Cubans or Filippinos.
Notwithstanding which every step lead
ing up to the annexation of the Sandwich
islands has been in contempt and dero-
CATION of that doctrine and the cherished
theory that "all government derives its
Just power from the consent of the gov
erned." The acceptance by the United
States of a rich domain in the Pacific at
the hands of people who have no right to
convey it, is as palpable wrong. if in
deed it does not transcend it in wicked
ness, as the partition of Poland, or as the
absorption of Chinese territory by the
powers that is now under one pretext or
another, being consummated.
Hon. Adlai Stevenson, ex-vice president
of the United States, in an address deliv-
cred only the other day, declared that
we come into possession of Hawaii with
the consent of its people" but that is such
q palpable distortion Of the facts as to
require no denial.
That the end justifies the means is not
the point under discussion. The police
man might, with some show of moral
warrant, knock down an unoffending cap
italist, take away his money and give it
to starving woman in the market place.
But the act would be justified neither by
the law nor by public opinion. The an
nexation of Hawaii may, in the long run,
prove blessing to the very people who
alone had a right to give the domain
away, but who were not permitted to
exercise it; as we'll to the people of the
United States, who should have been con-
suited as to its acceptance, but who were
not Time alone can determine that. No
promoter of the step can positively assert
that 1t will be so, for it will require years
to demonstrate it, If indeed it be suscepti-
BILE of demonstration. 1t might, and we
all believe it would, be blessing to the
pagans of the Orient If they would aban-
don their superstitious beliefs and en-
brace Christianity, but We have no more
right to force it upon them by methods
adroit and deceitful or at the point of this
bayonet, than we have to compel the
native Hawaiians and rightful owners OF
the islands to accept what we have a
monopoly of belief will be lastingly bene-
fetal to them.
And as to the benefits which annexation
will confer upon the people of the United
States no man may assert with the GER.
tainty of assured fact. Senator Hoar
imperial policy is so conservative as t
draw the line on Hawaii and declare W,
must be content with that. fails to max,
1t clear that our departure from tradition
al policy is wise, prudent, or even reason
ably safe. In recent address he mad
use Of the statement that follows:
We will not acquire any territory and
annex any people; we will aspire to no
empire or dominion, except where we
can reasonably expect that the people
to be acquired will in due time and under
suitable conditions be annexed to the
United States as an equal part of its
self-governing republic.
This is illogical and paradoxical, as ap
piled to the native people of Hawai-
Every one of them had an interest in tn
crown lands that have, without their as
sent, been handed over to the Unite
States. And 1t does not lie in the mouth
of the proponents of annexation to say
so soon after endorsing methods by whc
the people have been denied all voice
In the selection of their rulers or in tn
disposition of their heritage-that the
will soon, il ever, be fit to become "a
equal part of this self-governing reput
lic." The denial to them of intelligene
sufiicient to guide them Alright in matter
Of such primary Importance may nc
;. consistently coupled with the declars