Michael Mullin Presents: Pettigrew in Paradise-His Fight Against Hawaiian Annexation

Senator Richard F. Pettigrew was the only Republican senator to vote against the annexation of Hawaii between 1893 and 1898. This opposition placed Pettigrew at odds with his political party, and it became more pronounced after Pettigrew visited the islands. The work Pettigrew did on behalf of the islands did not go unnoticed; Queen Lili’uokalani met with the Senator when she visited Washington in 1898. During that visit she gave him a walking stick that is now displayed in the Pettigrew home. This presentation looks at why Senator Pettigrew was such an ardent “anti-imperialist”, and how that influenced his activities on behalf of the Hawaiian people.
Augustana University history professor Michael Mullin will present his program at the Old Courthouse Museum on Sunday, April 12th at 2 p.m. Admission is free.