Hawaiian Annexation Bill Passes Congress

Today’s installment concludes USA Acquires Hawaii,
our selection from America in Hawaii: A History of United States Influence in the Hawaiian Islands by Edmund James Carpenter published in 1899.

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Previously in USA Acquires Hawaii.

Time: August 12, 1898
Place: Hawaii

In the Senate far more difficulty was met by its advocates. “Filibustering” was resorted to by the opponents of annexation, in order to gain time and possibly tire out the majority. It was now the heated term in Washington. Senators were impatient to return to their homes; and this impatience became manifest when it appeared that all other business had been completed, and that delay upon the Hawaiian resolution alone kept Congress in session. At length, on July 6, 1898, the long struggle was ended; and the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands, an act which had been contemplated as a future probability for half a century, at last became a reality. The resolution a day or two later received the signature of the President, and the Hawaiian question became a thing of the past.

The news of the passage of the resolution of annexation was received throughout the islands with the greatest enthusiasm. Church and school-bells were rung, steam- whistles were blown, bands played, the American ensign waved everywhere, and dwellings and other buildings were covered with decorations. In the streets the throngs of people grew wild with joy. It was a day toward which many had looked wistfully for long years, and now it had come at last.

But one more scene remained to be enacted. This was the raising of the United States flag and the formal declaration of the absorption of the Hawaiian Islands by the United States of America.

An American ensign of the largest size used was made for the purpose at the navy-yard at Mare Island, California. This was sent to Honolulu in charge of Admiral Miller, on the United States steamship Philadelphia. Friday, August 12, 1898, was the day fixed for the formal ceremony. This was simple, but was con ducted with an impressive dignity. The extravagant jubilation that characterized the reception of the first news of annexation was absent. And yet all fully recognized the important nature of the ceremony, which signalized not only a great political change in the history of Hawaii, but also an important new departure in the policy of the United States. At the appointed hour the officials of the Hawaiian Government and a large gathering of people assembled in front of the Government Building. It was the same place that had witnessed the uprising in behalf of Queen Emma, the proclamation of the accession of King Kalakaua, the revolt of Liliuokalani against her brother, and, later, the proclamation of her own ascension of the throne. It had heard the harangue of the Queen, when she proposed to the people a new constitution; it had heard the proclamation of the abrogation of the ancient monarchy and the proclamation of the provisional protectorate of the United States; and it had seen the lowering of the American ensign by order of Commissioner Blount, who had been sent thither by President Cleveland in 1893. Here, too, had been proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii; and here now its end was to be witnessed. It was not wholly a joyous occasion. Some tears were shed, even by those who had labored long and earnestly for the result that had been achieved. Beneath the flag soon to be lowered had been born the man who for five years had stood at the head of affairs as President of the Republic. Beneath it had been born Chief Justice Judd, who was to administer to him and to others the oath of allegiance to the United States. It was little wonder, then, if a feeling of sadness pervaded the assembly when they saw the flag, which for so many years had meant so much to them, sink, never to rise again.

Beside the chair of President Dole upon the platform sat the Hon. Harold M. Sewall, the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, who had been charged by President McKinley with the duty of accepting the sovereignty of the islands from the hands of their President. The ceremony was brief. A certified copy of the joint resolution of the Congress of the United States accepting the cession of the islands was formally presented to Mr. Dole by Minister Sewall. The President delivered in a few words the sovereignty of the islands to Mr. Sewall as the representative of the United States. A prayer was offered by the Rev. G. L. Pearson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Hawaiian national anthem, Hawaii Ponoi, was played by the Hawaiian band in the square. There was a flutter of a white handkerchief; and, as the bugle-call “To the colors” rang out, the flag of Hawaii fell slowly on its staff. Then the same bugle-call rang out again, and up to the summit of its staff rose “Old Glory” and spread itself out in the Pacific breeze. Simultaneously upon the other public buildings of the city rose the American flag, and the national salute thundered from the guns of the American war- vessels in the harbor. Upon one flag pole was raised again the same flag which had been hauled down five years before, and which had been carefully preserved for this occasion by Lieutenant Lucien Young, of the United States steam ship Boston.

After the flag-raising the proclamation of the sovereignty of the United States of America was made by Minister Sewall, followed by a short address. The oath of allegiance was then ad ministered to President Dole by Chief Justice Judd, Mr. Dole and the other officials being authorized by President McKinley to continue in the administration of local affairs until some form of government for them should have been adopted by Congress. The assemblage then dispersed. And thus the influence of the United States in the Hawaiian Islands, which had its inception in the coming of the little shipload of missionaries from Boston in the year 1819, had had its fitting culmination.

This ends our series of passages on USA Acquires Hawaii by Edmund James Carpenter from his book America in Hawaii: A History of United States Influence in the Hawaiian Islands published in 1899. This blog features short and lengthy pieces on all aspects of our shared past. Here are selections from the great historians who may be forgotten (and whose work have fallen into public domain) as well as links to the most up-to-date developments in the field of history and of course, original material from yours truly, Jack Le Moine. – A little bit of everything historical is here.

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