The preacher is President McKinley. The shotgun is toted by J.P. Morgan; financier. The bride is visibly displeased and would be happy to make a run for it.

In March 1897; William McKinley succeeded Grover Cleveland as president. He agreed to a treaty of annexation for Hawaii but it failed in the Senate because petitions from the islands indicated lack of popular support and would be in violation of international law. A joint resolution was written by Congressman Francis G. Newlands to annex Hawaii in violation of Hawaii's Sovereign Rights. McKinley signed the Newlands Resolution which illegally annexed Hawaii on July 7; 1898 to become the Territory of Hawaii.

On February 22; 1900 the Hawaiian Organic Act established a territorial government with Sanford Dole; the former President of the Republic of Hawaii; appointed governor by the US President. The territorial legislature convened for the first time on February 20; 1901. Some Hawaiian people formed the Hawaiian Independent Party; under the leadership of Robert Wilcox; the first congressional delegate from Hawaii.

The overthrow of the kingdom and the subsequent annexation has been called the first major instance of American imperialism.