The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-02-21

duly laid by the Order of Masons OF
Honolulu.
The choir then sung the following Hymn,
in which the entire audience joined
TuSE-"Goa S1rs ire King"
Words by 7. r wAtKEE.
lord on our work today Long these walls endure
The Craft Thy blessing pray long may Justice pure
S3alrs i the CORNER laid Here may Thy shine
| Plumb set and Lercl made; framer u law dvinel
Prosper with gracious Peace ind her shrine
/ Each rising wall! And Truth her seat!
Unchecked by wars alarm Lord, whose Almighty sway
Unhurt by earthquake harm. Rulers and King, obey,
Or tempest blast Our Monarch bless
Do Thou the work protect; Long he Ger the land
Each cunning hand direct, Proclaim that by Thy hand
Each wise design perfect The Kingdoms strength shall
Unto the last In righteousness stand
His Excellency S. H. Phillips then de
livered the following eloquent address;
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY:
1t is customary, on laying the cornerstone of a
public building Intended 10 be Of lasting character,
to improve the opportunity for directing attention
to its object The ceremonies and pageant ofto-day
attest the extraordinary significance Of an act to be
done. Not only is the completion ola large struc-
ture, with convenient arrangements, anticipated
with pride-ueither can we overlook the proof Of
material progr and increased resources, furnish
ed by the extent of the work Its nature, place
and object indicate permanence and dignity in the
political arrangements OF kingdom, which, with
In a century, has been redeemed from barbarism,
and has demonstrated its capacity TO regulate its
Internal affairs and its relations with other powers
We declare, to-day, by symbolcal acts, the ad-
hesion Of this nation to the cause OF good order
aud constitutional government The Sovereign Of
these islands has honored this occasion by his pres
ence With his hands, he has helped to rear
an edifce, which will subserve useful purposes in
the administration of public affairs. 1t will also
constitute enduring memorial Of the strength
of the political fabric and will manifest his desire
that this government shall be maintained upon fixed
aud well established principles
Upon several interesting OCCASIONS this people
have been proud to chronicle, in an interesting
manner, by Imposing ceremonies, the triumph of
pure religion in this archipelago. Nor has it been,
with ordinary feelings of self congratulatinn that
they have repeatedly paused to express gratitude
to the Giver of all good for the goodness which
He has youchsaied unto them and for that saving
grace which has been for the healing of the nation.
But while all should acknowledge, with revereu-
tal humility, the direct agency of 4 kind Provi-
dence, thus signally manifested, it is most suita
bic remember also that these islands largely
to the whole world for the beuefeent in
huences of civilization, and its gladstone light diff
fused through many channels The art of Gov
eminent is one OF its valued fruits and this
kingdom, which by treaty after treaty, has been
warmly welcomed into the Family of Nations, and
now maintains proud individuality, and which is
upon equal terms by the Oldest and
strongest countries upon the globe assert with
honest pride that it is equal TO the task Of main
tanning the authority of law. 1t protects the rights
of its citizens with an exactness and completeness
everywhere extOlled
Tue general influence of good government is ex-
erted by moral power, and the efficiency of good
system is apparent by the quietness with which it
works But some embCms of national authority
should be papable to the sight and are always re-
garded with pride. Neither will any citizen jeal-
ously scrutinZe a liberal expenditure Of money
upon a Government edifice of fair proportions de-
signed for the transaction Of public affairs 1t will
rather excite generous pride because it demon
strites the resources and requirements of the ma
ton. 1t is proper object upon which TO lavish
the ornaments 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 cluster around it.
As such we consecrate its foundation stone. We
believe the fabric will be convenient in its arrange
nent and pleasing to all observers. We hope that
[ will possess lasting strength and will be pre-
eryed long after the days of all present shall have
been numbered with the dead.
1t would be idle to anticipate the sentiments
wish which future generation will regard the
pledge here publicly given and renewed that the
Of this Government shall be maintained
With dignity, and that its transactions shall be
continued in a spirit worthy of the enlightened
Of this age.
This nation is no. powerful in any ordinary sense.
t has neither fleets nor armies to make its
lreuCth offensive. It has powerful alliance;
lut IL has never compromised its own Independence.
Under the mild rule Of the present dynasty, IL has
ubsisted for more than threequarters Of a eentu-
y, and has earned the respect Of the entire world
" the Justice moderation aud benefcence of its
Overeigns. Other LatiOns admire the spirit In
which its kings have governed their people, and
ave proved worthy OF the solemn trust commit
ed to their hands
The future must be predicated upon the past
We proudly recall the experience Of these islands
ince known to foreigGers and invite the judgment
f candid posierity.
If equal administration Of the laws, If an en-
ghteued public spirit keeping pace with the
tendency OF the sge, il generous sp-
recitation Of good influences resulting from
estTicted intercourse with other nations entitlc
ur most gracious Sovereign to the respect Of man
ind there may safely be claimed for the existing
yuasiy the impartial verdict Of history and the
rateful consideration Of the world.
And in support Of Ibis effort to perpetu1te and
irengthen the cause of good government we in
lite the cooperation Of all good citizens and the
ontinued blessing of Almighty God.
After the address and an invocation by
he Chaplain, Rev. G. B. Whipple, the
ivic and military bodies, and the large
of people assembled to witness
he ceremonies, retired.
The building, Of which the cornerstone
vas laid on Monday, will be the largest
nd most imposing ever erected in this
and in architectural design and
he completeness of the arrangements for
he purposes for which it is to be erected,
.reat credit is reflected upon those en-
aged in its erection. The most compre-
ensive ideas Of His Excelency the Min
ster of the Interior as to the requirements
f the Government, not only at present,
,ut in the future, have been most ably
arried out by Mr. Stirling, the architect,
nd the edifce proposed, when completed