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 ANNEXATION OF HAWAII. 
 
 SPEECH 
 
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 HON. JAMES H. DAVIDSON, 
 
 OI^ \VISCOMSIN, 
 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 
 
 Tuesday, June 14, 1898. 
 
 W^VSHirsiOXOM. 
 
 1898. 
 
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y r E E G n 
 
 OF 
 
 HON. JAMES H. DAVIDSON 
 
 The House Laving iiiidev consideration the ,ioint resolution (H. Res. 'i50) to 
 lirovide for annexing tlie Hawaiian Islands to the United States- 
 Mr. DAVIDSON of Wisconsin said: 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The subject under discussion, the annexation of 
 Hawaii, is not a new one. For fifty years it has been before our 
 people in one form or another, and during this time the leading 
 statesmen and the best military and naval authorities of our 
 country have expressed themselves in favor of the proposition. 
 In 18o3 Secretary of State Marcy said: 
 
 It seems to he inevitable that they [the Sandwich Islands] must come un- 
 der the control of this Government. 
 
 Prior to that time Webster, Buchanan, and Clayton had each 
 expressed similar sentiments, while in later years Seward, Fish, 
 and Blaine were of the same opinion. President Harrison was 
 strongly in favor of annexation, and there is no question concern- 
 ing the views of our present Chief Magistrate on this subiect. 
 Captain Mahan, the well-known authority in naval affairs, says: 
 From a military point of view, the possession of Hawaii will strengthen 
 the United States. It is not practicable for any trans-Pacific country to in- 
 vest our Pacific coast without first occupying Hawaii as a base. 
 
 Chief Engineer Melville, of the Navy, says: 
 
 Pearl Harbor is the sole key to the full defense of our western shore, anO 
 that key should lie in our grasp only. 
 
 Admiral Dupont said: 
 
 It is impossible to estimate too highly the value and importance of the 
 Sandwich Islands, whether in a commercial or military point of view. Should 
 circumstances ever place them iu our hands, they would prove the most im- 
 ]3ortant acquisition Vv-e could make in the whole Pacific Ocean, an acqui-si- 
 tion intimately connected with our commercial and naval supremacy m those 
 seas. 
 
 General Schofield, of the Army, says: 
 
 It constitutes the only natural outpost to the defenses on the Pacific coast. 
 I have likened that harbor to a commanding po.sition in front of a defensive 
 line which an army in the field is compelled to occupy. The army must oc- 
 cupy that advanced position and hold it at whatever cost, or else the enemy 
 will occupy it with his artillery and thus dominate the main line. If wo do 
 not occupy Pearl Harbor, our enemy will occupy it as a base from which to 
 conduct operations against our Pacific coast. One of the greatest advan- 
 tages of Pearl Harbor to us consists in the fact that no navy would bo re- 
 quired to defend it. It is a deep, land-locked arm of the sea, easily defended 
 by fortifications placed near its entrance, with its anchorage beyond the 
 reach of guns from the ocean. The value of such a place of refuge and sup- 
 plies for merchant marine and cruisers in time of war can hardly be over- 
 estimated, yet the greatest value to us of that wonderful harbor consists lu 
 the fact that its possession and adequate defense by us prevents the possibil- 
 ity of any enemy using it against us. 
 
 3530 3 
 
The logic of these statements is apparent when we remember 
 that tliere is iu the Pacific Ocean, from the equator to Alaska and 
 from the coasts of China and Japan to the American continent, 
 but one place where a passing vessel can obtain supplies or enter 
 for repairs, and that place is Hawaii. 
 
 The expressions which I have quoted were made not when we 
 were in the midst of a conflict with a foreign nation, but in a time 
 of peace, when these eminent naval and military authorities and 
 patriotic statesmen were looking to the perfection of our national 
 defense, at which time they realized the importance of these 
 islands as a strategic point from which the whole Pacific coast 
 could be controlled. 
 
 The events of the last few weeks have demonstrated the wisdom 
 of their .iudgment and shown the necessity of our having control 
 of these islands. 
 
 No ship has j-et been constructed which can cross the Pacific 
 Ocean and engage in actual combat and still be in a position to 
 return to its original port for supplies. No hostile fleet can pos- 
 sibly menace our Pacific coast without first obtaining control of 
 Pearl Harbor, and we have found that the converse of this propo- 
 sition is true— that it is impossible for us to send a fleet to the 
 relief of Dewey at Manila. 7,000 miles from San Francisco, with- 
 out having some place midway in that broad waste of waters 
 where our vessels can enter for supplies and repairs and where 
 our soldiers being thus transported may be permitted to land and 
 be refreshed. 
 
 Through the kindness of the people of that little Republic our 
 soldiers have been granted this privilege, and our vessels have 
 been able to make use of this harbor. 
 
 That this is in violation of the laws of neutrality may be con- 
 ceded, but there is a law higher than that of nations; it is the law 
 of humanity, the law of God. 
 
 It is the observance of this higher law which has prompted the 
 people of that Republic to jeopardize their own interests and 
 endanger even the very existence of their Grovernment in order 
 that a favor might be extended to us. 
 
 In our present difficulty with Spain the Republic of Hawaii 
 stands alone, a single exception among the nations of the earth, 
 the only one that has extended a helping hand to us. And why is 
 this? Because for years the people of those islands were crushed 
 beneath the despotism of a rotten kingdom, but now they are 
 enjoying the blessings of freedom, and they appreciate, as do not 
 the crowned kingdoms of the earth, how high and noble is our 
 purpose in this war with Spain. They see in the Stars and Stripes 
 a harbinger of freedom, a refuge and strength to suffering human- 
 ity, and they gladly bid us enter. 
 
 You who fail to see the necessity of the annexation of those is- 
 lands at this time think what might have been the result had 
 Dewey's attack at Manila resulted disastrously, and he been com- 
 pelled" to turn back and traverse a distance of 7,000 miles before 
 he could reach a harbor for repairs or for supplies. Had such 
 l^een the result, instead of having a fleet, the pride of our nation, 
 floating so majestically and victoriously in the harbor of Manila, 
 those ships would ere this have been but broken hulks, dead, de- 
 serted derelicts, drifting aimlessly in that broad sea. 
 
 The principal argument of the gentlemen who ai'e opposed to 
 this proposition is that it is unconstitutional. There are cer- 
 3533 
 
tain geutleinen in this Chamber before whose ej'es the Constitu- 
 tion ever stands an impassable barrier to everything which looks 
 to the advancement of civilization or to the progress of our country. 
 
 Some of these gentlemen years ago failed to understand aright 
 the terms of the Constitution, and it seems the passing years have 
 not added wisdom to their understanding. Sufficient answer to 
 the objection is that the same question has been raised five times 
 during our national history. It has been brought forward every 
 time a proposition for the acquisition of territory has been pre- 
 sented and as often has it been passed upon and overruled, so that 
 it now has no standing in court. 
 
 The people and the Government of Hawaii have offered these 
 islands to us. To accept their offer will not take from the Treas- 
 ury of the United States one dollar nor from the American people 
 one drop of blood. Failing to accept their offer, we are forever 
 estopped from objecting if a like offer should at some future time 
 be made to and accepted by some other nation. 
 
 We can not be heard to say that we will not annex these islands 
 ourselves and in the same breath that we' will not permit any 
 other nation to annex them. 
 
 It is well known that within a century these islands have at four 
 different times been possessed by other nations, and their present 
 independence has only been attained after a heroic struggle. The 
 future stability of this little Republic is uncertain. Standing 
 alone, without wealth, without population, it can hardly hold its 
 own against more powerful nations, and should we fail to control 
 or protect it, it will undoubtedly soon be acquired, peacefully or 
 otherwise, by some of the great powers. 
 
 I am opposed to maintaining a protectorate over any country. 
 Our nation should never assume the responsibilities of another 
 nation except under such conditions as will enable us to dictate 
 the laws of that nation and compel their observance. 
 
 I do not profess to be versed in military affairs. Whether the 
 annexation of these islands is a militarj' necessity at this time is 
 a question, however, upon which I am willing to accept the opin- 
 ion of military authorities, and when we know tliat not only the 
 best military authorities have expressed themselves in favor of 
 annexation, but that our present Chief Magistrate believes that 
 in order to successfully prosecute the present war it is necessary 
 to secure these islands as a base of supplies, I for one am j)repared. 
 to accept their judgment and vote accordingly. 
 
 I propose to support the President in everything which he be- 
 lieves is necessary for the successful prosecution of this war, and 
 I know that in so doing I represent the united sentiment of the 
 lieople of my district. 
 
 This question of aimexation has for fiftj' years been an open and 
 debatable one; but it seeuis to me that when Admiral Dewey's 
 guns awoke the echoes in Manila Harbor on the morning of the 1st 
 of May, they ' ' moved the previous question '" upon this proposition, 
 and from that time debate has not been in order. 
 
 Prior to that date our peoi^le undoubtedly were divided upon 
 this proposition, but I believe they are no longer divided. They 
 realize Uie necessity of the acquisition of these islands at the pres- 
 ent time, in order that the boys who have gone from your town 
 and from mine, from every hamlet over this broad land, to defend 
 the honor and the integrity of the nation and to bring relief to 
 suffering humanity may find within that broad expanse of water 
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 Bome place where their feet may touch mother earth, where they 
 can breathe the pure air, and where the vessels bearing them may 
 be supplied with coal and bread and water, to the end that their 
 expedition may result successfully and to the honor of the Amer- 
 ican people. 
 
 But there is another reason why these resolutions should be 
 adopted. Year after year there has come to us from across the 
 seas rumors of trouble in those Eastern countries. Year after 
 year there have been indications that the great powers might be- 
 come involved in a war over their Eastern possessions. Japan, 
 which lately surprised the world by its defeat of China, is one of 
 the coming nations of the world, and with its magnificent navy 
 and with the energy and progress of its citizens it will soon be- 
 come a strong competitor of England, of Russia, and of Germany. 
 
 China as a nation has been dead for years. It has not kept pace 
 with the advancement of the nations around it. It may revive 
 and progress. Failing to do this, however, this great Empire will 
 soon be a thing of the past. Its territory will be divided among 
 the great powers, each portion being subject in all its trade rela- 
 tions to the power which controls it. 
 
 Ours is a nation of peace and progression. Its broad acres are 
 now all under cultivation. Its cities are black with the smoke of 
 furnaces, its workmen busily employed in the manufacture of 
 every article capable of construction. To continue this condition 
 of things oxir people, our manufacturers, our farmers must seek a 
 foreign market. If we are to furnish employment for the brain and 
 brawn and muscle of our mechanics, we must find a market for 
 the waresthey construct. If those engagedin agricultural pursuits 
 are to prosper, a market must be found for their surplus grain. 
 
 The Latin- American countries and the great Eastern coimtries 
 offer the best opportunities for acquiring such a market. Our 
 competitors will be England, Germany, Austria, and Russia. To 
 successfully compete with them we must take advantage of every 
 opportunity wliich offers. Within the next few years our people 
 will awake to the necessity of the construction of the Nicaragua 
 Canal and its control by this Government. That canal, when 
 completed, will become the gateway through which will pass the 
 commerce of the world. Then Cuba and Puerto Rico will stand 
 as sentinels guarding its eastern approach, while on the west will 
 be the impregnable fortress of Pearl Harbor, a strong factor in 
 shaping and controlling the commerce of the Western Continent. 
 Being a part of oiir possessions, Hawaii's trade will be entirely 
 subject to our control. Not only this, but every vessel passing in 
 either direction across the Pacific must touch at this point before 
 reaching its destination. 
 
 With these islands under our control, our trade relations will 
 be established and our commercial interests in the East forever 
 protected. 
 
 It can not be said that the policy of oiir nation has been one of 
 territorial acquisition. We have not aspired to the attainment 
 of colonial possessions. The islands of the seas have not been to 
 us prizes toward which we have looked with longing eyes, but we 
 have, from time to time, acquired such territory as seemed to be 
 necessary for the best interests of our nation; and should these 
 resolutions prevail and Hawaii be annexed, it does not necessarily 
 follow, nor is it possible, that such action will have any influence 
 upon the future. It stands a single and independent proposition, 
 3530 
 
to be cletevmined upon its merits and in such a manner as will bo 
 for the best interests of our country. 
 
 t^ome gentlemen are loud in their declarations that the war in 
 which we are engaged has now become one of conquest and that 
 the policj' of our nation from now will be one of territorial acqui- 
 sition. These statements have been made with i-eckless disregard 
 for acciiracy and truth, and there is absolutely nothing to sub- 
 stantiate th(?m. The possession of the Philippines, the possession 
 of Puerto Rico, the possession of Cuba, yea, even the possession of 
 Madrid itself, if these should finally be possessed by American 
 armies, will be but incidents of a war commenced for the cause of 
 humanity and prosecuted only for that purpose. 
 
 A war can not be successfully prosecuted and every movement 
 confined ta the immediate scene of action. In order tiiat this war 
 may be successfully waged, the power of the enemy must be weak- 
 ened and destroyed. Her fleets must be driven from the seas, her 
 forts must be destroyed, her armies captured, her territory ac- 
 quired. These are the lines along which the war must be waged, 
 and these are the lines along which the present Administration 
 will prosecute, vigorously and effectively, the present war until 
 the Kingdom of Spain is ready to cry, '-Hold, enough!" 
 
 The question as to what will be done with the territory acquired 
 by our armies during the present war is no part of the subject 
 now under discussion. The disposition of all such territory will 
 be determined when the war is over. The Philippines are now, 
 or soon will be, entirely under the control of the American Army, 
 The flag of freedom, the Stars and Stripes, will float where once 
 floated the red and yellow of the Spanish Kingdom. Whether 
 the Stars and Stripes shall come down and the flag of despotism, 
 of tyranny, and of treachery be again restored is a question which 
 can safely be left to the American people for disposition at the 
 proper time, without fear but what it will be settled right— right 
 in the eyes of humanity, right in the eyes of God. 
 
 The gentlemen upon the other side of this Chamber need have 
 no fear of the future of this Republic. It is safe in the hands of 
 the people, safe in the hands of those chosen by the people to ad- 
 minister its affairs. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, I am in favor of the adoption of these resolutions. 
 Aside from the question of their commercial importance, it is 
 sufBcient that the acquisition of these islands at this time is a war 
 necessity. This being true, I believe we should acquire them. 
 
 Our hearts, our hopes are with the boys who have gone to the 
 front, and, whether their destiny be Cuba. Puerto Rico, or Manila, 
 our every action should be for their best interests. Let us not 
 hesitate, let us not put aside this opportunity of establishing a 
 base of supplies midway between our own coast and the future 
 battlefield whereon our soldiers will soon be engaged in actual 
 conflict— a battlefield a portion of which will undoubtedly become 
 for all time a sacred spot to which the longing eyes of many a 
 mother will turn as she remembers that in that far distant land 
 her son lies sleeping, his life given for the cause of humanity and 
 for the preservation of his nations honor. [Applause.] 
 
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