The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-08-03

Lunalflo3 II - net here. where II snould bc. out asa
the mere conspicuous 60 our minds by absence. like
the statue q Brutns. when removed Ron the proccs-
sion 81 Rome, causing Brutus % BE present ali the
more IN every heart. What a bore Of the Hawaiian
people was this Prince lie was o. the blood q those
that were cucc esteemed as gods, aud was always
King n the hearts o. HAWAiians. l took part in
raising him to the Throne, and I shall never forget
the shout Of the assembled Thousands. whose roar q
acclaim seemed to shake the very heavens when his
election was proclaimed. lie passed away like q
dream, bat his coming brousht tho gift Of higher
political privilege % the people. And nov to-day, ~
the end u the hundred years. We stand face 10 face
with King kalakaus. the seventh a the royal line
from the Founder. And ia this accession I also took
> part. His Majesty asceuded the Throne amid q
storm. bat this reign aud this era have splendid op-
poriuuities; FOR il IS kalakagA's privilege. as the
crowned and snoIHted King Of HaWaiians. 20 become
the foremost nan Ct Polynesia, nay even Of al
aboriginal Oeesnica- And is not this history AZ
which we have glanced worthy Of some eonmemorA-
ton. All nations keep their epochs and their eras-
Rome dated from her foundation, and Greece from
her Olympic games. Iceland, the dreary, frozen
isle. = little while ago celebrated her thousandth
year since her discovery and settlement; and a King,
aud great mobiles and Statesmen from foreign lands
were pleased 70 take part in the celebration. The
great centennial CT America and It's celebration are
fresh in cur memories. BY commemorative notable
periods. nations renew as they review their national
life. And they mark the c-ommemoration with some
monument or memorial. Usually IL was = temple,
or a statue, or n medal. In modern times, eras are
AAAA ( - NAAatast-l1 ~ M4ANAAA IiAEitrrF A. W
as works Of art.
We have neglected our opportunity for an exhibit
ton Of our material progress; but We can mark the
close Of our epoch by some work Of ART
In proposing this resolution. | have not made up
my mind as TO the shape in which our commemora-
ton should manifest itself. Some would appreciate
a utiliiarian monument, such as a prominent light
house; others, a building for instruction or 4 museum;
and / highly appreciate the utilitarian view, yet l am
inclined 10 favor n work Of art. And what Is the
most notable event, and character, apart from dis
covery, within this century, for Hawaiians TO CON-
memorate' What else but the consolidation Of the
archipelago by the hero Kamehsmehs The warrior
chief of Kohala towers far above any other one Of his
race in all Oceanica. His character, in view Of his
remarkable situation. will ere long largely command
the attention Of thoughtful and noble minds Of all
lands. This appreciation Of his character l hope 10
promote with my feeble pen; and his fame will be
raised up as a proud memento for Hawaii. There
fore let Hawaiisus, especially you Hawaiian Mobiles
and Representatives, lift up your hero before the eyes
Of the people, not only in story, but in everlasting
bronze. Thus enlightened nations commemorate
their heroes and good men. You have never yet
contributed anything towards such a commemora-
ton. The paintings on these walls were gifts, or
contributions from various Sources The British
Parliament and the American Congress. and other
representative bodies of enlightened States, have
each voted hundreds of thousands Of dollars for
TO their great chiefs and teachers, such
as Napoleon, Wellington, Washington, Howard,
Penn, and Rousseau. The Hawaiian Legislature
must now prove its enlightenment in n similar rec
ognition of the heroes Of its history. Let us begin
in this our centennial year, and vote a liberal sum,
not merely to commemorate a period, but a hero.
Such money is well spent. Some would say to
you, that money expended for a non-productive pur-
pose like this, or as was said the other day in the
Assembly. for the support of lepers. and other help
people, was money thrown into the sea. But | |
don't think so. Is money spent for love thrown |
away? Such investment is the kind Of treasuse that
is laid up in heaven. Or what we do for honor's
sake-is it n waste? Is not life something more
than meat and drink, and the covering on our backs
Yes, and tell you that money spent in the way of
public spirited commemoration will come back 10 US
an hundredfold in higher honor and consideration
from others. We have, l know, portioned out all our
public treasure, nay more than our estimate Of re-
ceipts, for salaries, and highways, and for education,
md the sick; and / am glad that you have done so,
Ind that l took part in the liberal appropriation Of
This Legislature. We have done no more than what
\ reasonable estimate Of our resources would war
rant; and if our income will not meet all that we
propose, an intelligent Ministry will know where il
s best to limit the expenditure. But after all, we
must try TO reserve a little for the sake Of patriotism,
ind history, and honor, and for an expression Of our
advanced civilization.
L have said only five thousand dollars, but / trust
hat my proposal will be amended to double the sum.
And now | have made my appeal. leave il especial
y with you, Hawaiian Mobiles and Representatives.
As you care for your country, your nationality, and
FOUR independence, you will heed it; and let your
find expression in n monument 10 COM
the most notable eventin your history, and
he greatest Of your heroes.
His Excelency j. NJ. Kapena, Minister for Foreign
Affairs, supported the resolution with some eloquentN
emarks, and the resolution to appropriate $4,000
or a monument to commemorate the centennial Of
discovery was passed by a unanimous vote. This
mount was subsequently amended TO $4,000.
1T was subsequently, stated that the Hon. Godfrey Rhodes,N
resident Of the Assembly, when a member Of the Assembly
D 1852, induced Hawaiian Legislators Of that period 20
purchase from Mr.. Stanley, q merchant Of Honolulu, the por-
Of Kamehameha 1, which had been painted by an artist
n board the Russian warship -. The price paid for the 4
Ortrat was two hundred dollars. Al