The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-02-07
EXPANSION AND POLNGAMl.

EXPANSION AND POLNGAMl.
Among the questions presented by
she Expansionists to the American peo-
pie In the painful one OF the disposition
Of polygamy In the conquered territory
0f the Philippines. The prevailing OPP
Union among the statesmen IL. that the
Constitution covers all territory be-
longing 60 the United States, and the
iEhabitauts OF such territories become
American citizens. with the right TO
move about, or reside in any part Of
the national domain.
Upon the ratification Of the treaty
Of Paris, the Philippines will become
American territory, and the inhabi-
tanis citizens of the United States. At
once. there will be added to our popu-
latlon several millions of Mohammedan
polygamlsts. who will fiaunt In the
face OF Uncle Sam, the words OF the
great Prophet commanding plural mar
riages. Moreover, they will politely
but firmly inform Uncle Sam, In his
character as Missionary OF good gov
eminent, that they do not prOpoi Sc
20 have their sacred institution i'm
paired by any new tangled expert
ments that II the Occidental choose
to admit that in their boasted develop
ment one man can only manage one
woman, IL remains for the Orientals
to show much higher capacity for
social organization, by the manage
ment of many women by one man.
What shall be the attitude OF our
Expansionists? VIII they have the
courage of their convictions and cause
notices to be pasted upon the gate
posts and fences throughout the Phil
ippines In all dialects: 'po!ygamy
strictly forbidden on these premises, -
"on and after date licenses 20 marry
only one woman issued, mo good
government and polygamy can exist
together"
Will the Expansiomsts turn loose
upon the cold Asiatic world some hun
dreds OF thousands Of helpless super
Auous wives. as the superfluous wives
Of the Mormons were once driven to
tha wall?
The British follow the simple and
worldly practice Of permitting the mis-
guided inhabitants OF their colonies
and dependencies to preserve and per
pstuate their own heather" institu-
tons. ldolatry is protected by British
bayonets. The great monkey temple
at Benares is protected by the British
armies. Polygamists hold high Office
under the British Queen. Even in
Hong-Kong, entirely British posses
sion, the Chinese are under no re-
strictions regarding marriage.
Although the British policy In this
respect works admirably so far rs
trade and law and order are concerned,
will the great American churches. un-
familiar with British worldly wisdom,
consent to any virtual endorsement of
polygamy, and seryile imitation OF the
British? viii not bitter crusade be
made against the children OF the Pro-
phet, on the ground that they will
never he NJ TO rule themselves while
they permit too much marriage as
A-xn.,,. NE,.l
Again, II those Mohammedans become
American citizens, they will be enti-
tied to profession II they immigrate
with their wives to these Islands. \
British Mohammedan may temporarily
take his wives to London, and his
right to his wives will be protected u!
Law, but will II be permitted that
MOhammedan laborer or merchant may
emigrate to Hawaii and live there Wit
his plural family?
Should the Philippines become {
part OF our national territory, Con
gress may have to wink at Asiatic po-
lygamy, as one OF those unfortunate
incidents that attend every great phi
ianthropic movement for the benefit Of
mankind. In the records of the Old
Testament for instance are recorded
very many winnings" at the polyga'
nous failings OF the Patrlarchs.
The great Denominations are dis
posed to sympathise with the Expan'
sion movement, because it tends TO Sc
cure for themselves a better footing
in the conquered lands. Have the!
considered the polygamous aspects o
the case?