The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-08-03
SPEECH OF HON. WALTER M. GIBSON
IOn the COmmemOratlOn of Centennial Of Dis
eOyeFy.
Mr.. PRESIDENT :

Mr.. PRESIDENT:
do not wish to see the Assembly Of 1878 close
without saving q word in behalf of the c~ommemora-
ton of the introduction of this archipelago to the
knowledge of the civilized world, one hundred years
ago.
L shall regret, and l feel that all thoughtful friends
of Hawaiians would regret, to have the centennial
of discovery pass by without notice. l urged the
consideration Of this matter upon the attention Of the
Assembly of 1876, as the Hon. Noble Kaai can well
testify. But Ministers of that time were adverse,
and no action was taken. However, could not let
this matter rest, and revived its discussion at
the beginning of this centennial year. l and my
colleague of Lahaina commemorated this event at
Lahaina, the ancient seat of the old Kings of Ha-
wall, on the 18th day of January last, when we had
the worthy Noble (Moehonua) to lead US, whose
vacant chair in this Assembly we all look upon with
regret. We spoke there to a few Hawaiians Of the
triumphs of civilization during the past hundred
wears, and of the hopes for Hawaii-for better days
vet to come. And now l want to raise my voice
again before the year closes, and before this Assem-
bly, adjourns-to prompt you, Mobiles and Represen-
tatives, to speak on this matter for the whole
Hawaiian people.
There are those who will sneer at this commemora-
ton, as there are many to be found who will mock
at every sentiment and every hope that is not i'm
mediately productive of some result in the shape Of
dollars. But what do | ask you TO commemorate
you, Hawaiian legislators? You, Representatives
of the people, gathered here in orderly assemblage-
in this noble hall, p~anoplied with the insignia, the
crown, the sceptre, and banner Of free and en-
~lightened government, and presenting a spectacle Of
senatorial deliberation and decornm which will COM
pare fayorably with parliamentary proceedings in
many older and more cultured civilizations What
is there to N What shall 1 say?
What but present q contrast with which your own
minds must be busy between this year, and this
scene, and what may have happened here one hun
dred years ago. We can imagine in 1878, on the
site where we are assembled, a crowd of half-naked
savages, m~ingling their loud, discordant cries with
the dissonant beat Of the ancient rude drum. The
smoke for a sacrifice ascends, and We can picture an
uplifted club falling upon a human victim to beat
out his brains, where now the mallet Of our worthy
President only strikes to preserve peace and good
will. This. o.. Hawaiians this stride from savage
disorder to our present order, is something worthy
of your commemoration, l don't care what else may
have happened
The past hundred years have brought many losses
and sorrows to the people of these Islands, but let US
glance at the blessings that have come with the CEN
fury. These witnesses, looking down from the walls
of our legislative ball, will help US to review the past.
See the ancient hero. in his royal feather cloak-the
Puhikapa Of the olden warrior the. He began our
century with savage war and massacre, and yet he
was chiefly the destroyer Of cruelty and superstition,
and Waded through human blood for the sake Of en-
during peace within his native isles. He was among
the first to greet the Discoverer Cook on board his
ship 10 1878. and the young Hawaiian chiefs great
mind well appreciated the mighty changes that must
follow after the arrival Of the white strangers. He
met destiny with the mind OF q philosopher anda-
p1tTlUL, anu hdutuaulGlAs AHC a NDHANNAbAs
welcomed the new era with the spirit Of an en-
lightened statesman.
Next look upon Liholiho, his son, the bold, head
strong Prince, who goes on with the work Of peace
and Acknowledgement. and marks q noble period in
Hawaiian history. Need we glance at anything more
than the breaking Of the tabus. and especially the
restoration Of Hawaiian women TO an equal con-
dition with the rest of their race. To be a woman
before, was to be an animal feeding in an outer ken
mel; but LiholIho trampIes on the cruel superstition,
and the woman Of these isles joins her lord and her
lover at the feast and may rest on his bosom as she
feeds.
Now we will gaze on the benevolent face Of Eaui-
keaouli, he who portioned out his dominions to his
people, and who abdicated absolute sovereignty in
behalf of the majesty of law; and Richards, Haalilo,
Lee, Judd, and Wyllie helped worthily to illustrate
the enlightened reign of Kamehameha Ill
And next behold the face Of the second Liholiho,
the courteous and ge~ntlemanly Prince. How his
heart yearned for the life and welfare Of his people
This love Of a Hawaiian King is illustrated by our
noble hospital, which will stand as a proud monu-
ment of the benevolent Kamehsmeha ", and his
Gracious Spouse, who is still with US.
We will look now upon the resolute face OF the
King with the strong arm. He gave what Hawan
needs, q vigorous administration; and 1t viii be well
for her to be led by a spirit of authority, so torcihly
illustrated by Kamehameha Y.
Who comes next? Where Is the noble face Of