The record-union., 1898-06-16

William Alden Smith of Michigan, a
member Of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, advocated annexation. i'Our
action to-day will mark a new era in
national. affairs he said He reviewed
the efforts for. annexation, and, con-
tinued:
MIR. Speaker, there is not nation
in the world that does not recognize
the Importance of the Hawaiian ISL
'a1lds to the United States Are we blind
to our interests when the disinterested
visions of others is 50 clear Will
we longer neglect this plain duty, now
SO near consummation?"
Smith argued at considerable length
the constitutional power to annex new
territory. Annexation, Isl not new to
u.s. said he. In my humble opin-
ion the whole North American Con-
tinent and every island in the Gulf
and Caribbean Sea, and such islands
in the Pacific as may be deemed de-
sirable, are worthy of our ambition Not
that we are earth hungry, but as a
measure of national protection and ad-
vantage, it is the duty Of the American
people to lay peaceful conquest wher-
ever opportunity may be offered
1T has been argued that our Consti-
tuition makes no provision for colo
nial system, but if President Monroe
had been merely a lawyer; if he had
contented himself by looking for prece-
dent which he was unable to find; if
he had consulted the Jurisprudence Of
his time and planned his action along
academic lines, the greatest doctrine
1
which now bears his name, would have
found no voice potent enough and cour-
ageous enough to have encircled the
Western Hemisphere with his peaceful
edict."
AS to an alliance with England, Smith
said: South America and the Orient
are the natural trade allies of the Unit
ed States. Their relations to US must
grow more important and desirable in
the years to come. Then why talk of
an Anglo-American alliance? Who is
SO short-sighted as to wish US to as
sumo any responsibility, however re-
mote, for the faithful performance Of
the multitude Of agreements, treaties
and protocols Of England? To be sure,
they are our natural kin, and we are
proud of our ancestry, but our friend
ship will be more enduring and our
burdens easier to bear if we. refrain
from entangling- alliances with any
Power across the sea-
Such territory in the ocean or in the
Gulf as naturally belongs to our Gov
ernment we can make our own in due
season, and wisdom would seem to
prompt US to leave no natural or will
ing ally, weak and defenseless as it
may be, to become the mere toy of an
aggressive empire, imperilling our
peace and good order. The Pacific
Ocean, unfettered by European subju-
cation, can be made indeed pacific. if
we are wise enough to garner the har-
vest now so ripe for our sickle.
who opposes this wise policy, that
has received the sanction of many
Presidents? The same hating, hesi-
tating conservatism that admonished
Washington against taking interest in
the Northwest Territory, and prompted
Benjamin Franklin to favor it's re-
linquishment; the same doubling con-
servatism that deprived us of Canada
in the war of 1912, and defeated by a
tie vote in the Senate the treaty for
the annexation of San Domingo. Had
President Grants fervent wishes been
granted, our flag would to-day wave
over the island, and from the folds of
its stars and stripes, dedicated to lib
erty and union, would float out over
the Gulf and sea that spirit Of patriot
ism tempering the entire. archipelago,
Should il have been accepted when ten
dered? Then is it not our duty to ac-
cept the Hawaiian Islands, situated
with reference to our own country as
advantageously in the Pacific as Santo
Domingo is at the Gulf? The faintest
encouragement would have been suff1-
cient for some countries to have en-
circled these islands. And this genera
ton will be .unfaithful to those that
follow if we do not lessen the possibili-
ties Of war by taking into the National
Union such naval outposts in both
oceans as are naturally a part Of our
country
After arguing the commercial and
strategic Importance of the islands.
Smith concluded: "A hundred years
ago it was predicted of our nation that
it would some day stretch its arms
upon the two oceans, and direct the
vessels from one to the other by an ar
tificial route through Lake Nicaragua
that would change the course of the
commercial world and of empires. Let
US rise to the occasion to-day, meet
this important exigency in our nation
Al affairs with courage and patriotism,
and, inspired by the glorious achieve
ments OF the past, prepare for greater
victories in the years to come, and
thus prove ourselves worthy Of the
proud legacy fortune gave us by inher-
itance.'g
Parker (R.) Of New Jersey advocated
the resolutions and Myer Cd, of Louis
lana followed in opposition, paying spe-
clal attention to the injury which he
claimed would be inflicted upon the
100000 people engaged in Louisiana in
the sugar industry.
During Meyers speech he was in
terrupted by Sulzer, who asserted that
the agent of the sugar trust was at the
Capital working against annexation
BY what authority do you say that?"
queried Gaines CD Of Tennessee.
BY the newspaper now in your hand,
which says Mr.. Oxnard representing
the trust, is here, and asserts that the
resolutions will pass the House, but the
Senate will adjourn before they can
get through there
He ought to be kicked out of town."
declared the Tennesseean.
That's right" replied the New York
er.
"And IL he comes talking around. I'll
kick him OUT asserted the member
from Tennessee, with rising indigna-
ton.
Ridgely P,) Of Kansas, Mudd (R.) Of
Maryland and Graft (R.) Of Illinois
spoke for, and Sims CD of Tennessee