The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-11-15
RECIPROCITY's Benefit.

| Deliberation was one OF the most
Mckinley, and his administration is
marked by many instances OF calm and
thoughtful action. 1t Is this character
istic which has given rise to some of
the criticism of the late president and
his attitude toward Reciprocity.
| The policy belonged to Blaine and was
the pet theory of that idol of protec-
tionists. Mckinley while recognizing
the value of the policy could not bring
himself to n determined advocacy OF
1t until such time as the United States
has sufficient to offer to justify Europe
in bidding for our trade. How COM
pletely he entered into the spirit of the
development of the policy Is shown by
the course his commissioner. John A.
kasson followed, building up series of
treaties covering range of industries.
so as to consolidate all sections through
their senators behind the group OF con-
ventions. The Washington Star says
of McKinley's deliberation:
When the Maine was destroyed there
was the loudest demand for an immedi-
ate declaration of war. Probably no
man saw lnOFt Clearly tnat war WAS
coming, but few could know so well rs
the president that the country was not
at the moment prepared for war even
with power like Spain. And so he took
his own time He conferred with friends.
lie argued with the impatient. lie alien
ated few men, who in Their great heat
conceived the idea that he was refusing
TO look the situation In the face. All
the time. however. he was clearing the
ooh f,r ha. all l,.,
announced ready, and the war was over
in ninety days. The president had known
when to strike better than many OF his
advisers,
Mr.. Mckinley had listened for many
years TO arguments alb ut free trade. and
freer trade, ana reciprocity, and all that.
lie was told that protection was n him
drance and not n help in the develop
ment of n nat ons material resources.
Lower the tarin bars and let everybody
with stun to sell come In on their own
terms, and We should presently have the
greatest country Oh earth. Keep up the
bars, and we shnuli make little IL any
progress. Mr. Mckinley was not con-
WINGED. He knew the country was not
prepared for any timperIny with the
bars at all. He therefore continued to
advocate protection. knowing full well
that In time 1t would lead up to freer
trade. through the med um of reciproc-
ity II was his good fortune to live to
see that day dawn, and 1t was character
istic OF the man to speak cut as soon
as he was convinced that the country
was ready for the fray.
How we'll he would have led us into |
the new field had he lived We may know |
from the successful way In which he |
led us In past engagements.
What We have now to do Is to push |
on in the direction that he marked out. |
We have assurance from him In his part |
Ing message that We are ready for the |
movement. Many OF our industries are |
hrmly established. and our general man
ufacturing output Is so large .nat new |
markets. and sales of increased size In |
old markets, are essent al to our nation |
al prosperity. The proposition Is clear.
The details must OF course be worked
out by experts. We have worked and |
waited and We are now ready.