The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1872-02-24

In righteousness
The address by His Excellency s. Ii. Phillips,
Attorney General, Through whose courtesy we
are enabled to give il entlre) is an able produc-
ton, though necessarily losing in the reading
the force and elegance of its delivery.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY:
1t is customary. on laying the cornerstone of IA
public building, Intended to be of lasting character,
TO improve the opportunity FOR directing attention to
its object. The ceremonies and pageant Of to-day
attest the extraordinary significance Of an act to be
done. Not only Is the completion Of a large struc-
ture, with convenient arrangements, anticipated
with prile-neItherC can We overlook the proof of
material progress and increased resources. furnish
ed by the extent of the work. Its nature. place
and object. indicate permanence aud dignity in the
political arrangements OF a kingdom, which. within
a century, has been redeemed from barbarism. and
has demonstrated It's capacity to regulate Its IN
tcrnal affairs, and its relations with other powers.
We declare, to-day, by symbolical acts, the adhe-
sion of this nation 10 the cause of good order and
constitutional government. The Sovereign of these
islands has honored this occasion by his presence.
With his own hands, he has helped to rear an edifce,
which will subserve useful purposes in the admins
tratlon of public affairs. 1t will also constitute an
enduring memorial of the strength of the political
fabric, and Will manifest his desire that this govern
meut shall be maintained upon fixed and well estab-
lisIed principles.
Upon several interesting occasions, this people
have been proud to chronicle, in an interesting man
ner, by imposing ceremonies, the triumph Of pure
religion in this archipelago. Nor has it been with
ordinary feelings of self cOngratulation that they
have repeatedly paused to express gratitude to the
Giver of all good for the goodness which He has
yOuchsafed unto them and for that saving grace
which has been for the healing Of the nation.
But while all should acknowledge, with reverential
humility, the direct agency Of Il kind Providence,
thus signally manifested, 1t is most suitable to remem-
Der also that these islands are largely indebted TO the
whole world for the benefcent influences of civiliza-
ton, and its gladstone light difused through so many
channels. The art of Government is one of its most
valued fruits and this kingdom, which by treaty
after treaty, has been warmly welcomed into the
Family of Nations, and now maintains a proud indi-
viduality, and which is recognized, upon equal terms
by the Oldest and strongest countries upon the globe,
can assert with honest pride that it is equal to the
task of maintaining the authority of law. 1t pro-
tects the rights of its citizens with an exactness and
completeness everywhere extolled.
The general influence of good government is ex-
erted by moral power, and the efficiency of a good
system is apparent by the q%uietness with which it
works. But some enblems of national authority
should be palpable to the sight and are always re-
garded with pride. Neither will any citizen jealousy
scrutinize a liberal expenditure of money upon n
Government edifce o. fair proportions designed for
the transaction of public affairs. 1t will rather
excite a generous pride because it demonstrates the
resources and requirements of the nation. 1t is a
proper object upon which to lavish the ornament of
art and thereby to elevate the standard of public
taste. 1t is fit that it should be of an enduring
character, so that memories and traditions may clus-
ter around 1t.
AS SuCQ we COuStCTale us IOunuallOD stone. we
believe the fabric will prove convenient in its ar
rangements and pleasing to all observers. We hope
that it will possess lasting strength and will be pre-
served long after he days of all present shall have
been numbered with the dead.
1t would be idle 10 anticipate the sentiments with
which q future generation will regard the pledge
here publicly giver and renewed that the authority
of this Government shall be maintained with dignity,
and that its transactions shall be continued in u
spirit worthy fthe enlightened civilization of this age.
This nation is nt powerful in anV ordinary sense.
1t has neither fleets nor armies TO make its strength
offensive. 1t has NJ powerful alliance but 1t has
never compromised its own independence. Under
the mild rule of the resent dynasty, 1t has subSiSted
for more than three1uarters of a century, and has
earned the respect ofthe entire world by the justice,
moderation and bericeuce of its sovereigns. Other
nations admire the spirit in which its kings have
governed their peQle, and have proved worthy of
the solemn trust committed to their hands.
The future mustne predicated upon the past. We
proudly recall the experience of these islands since
known to FOREIGNERS, and invite the judgment Of q
candid p~osterity.
If an equal ADMINISTRATION of the laws, if an en-
lightened public Spit, keeping pace with the pro-
gressiye tendency { the age, if a generous apprecia-
ton of good intuUces resulting from unrestricted
intercourse with Tier nations entiTle our most
gracious Sovereign { the respect of mankind. there
may safely be claimd for the existing dynasty the
impartial verdict of istory and the grateful consid-
Grafton of the world.
And in support OF this effort to perpetuate and
strengthen the caus of good government, we in
vite the co-operadn of all good citizens, and the
continued blessingsf Almighty God.
A demolition by tie Rev. G. B. Whipple. closed
the ceremonies. andhe large audience retired, the
different civic bodie returning to their respective
rooms.
The day was a peuliarly fine one for the occa-
sion. \ gentle beze from the west brought
passing clouds in lficient quantity to temper
the rays of the sun. King street, through which
the procession move, was lined with spectators,
ladies and children oredominating, and the day
was generally a ha.~ holiday. On the grounds
the crowd was dense but the arrangements were
well carried out, anneverything passed off in the
most orderly and satisfactory manner.
OF A MD