The Hawaiian gazette., 1889-07-09
one that bore honorable mention in
American history.
Mr.. PoRTER's ADDRESS.


few DAYS ago. l was on the coast OF
Hawaii, returning from a tip to the
Volcano. Ny first thought was to de-
cline the honor, as my time was wholly
occunied in STUDYING these islands, but
on reaching Honolulu l was assured that
| could meet the requirements OF the
occasion by giving such thoughts con-
corning our country as might readily
occur to me as a traveller. With tins
understanding | have accepted the posi-
ton. feeling that my refusal would be a
poor return for the many acts OF kindness
extended to me during my visit.
We are assembled to commemorate an
event in our history which is dear to
every American heart-an event to
which "the glorious Fourth has been
ronsecrated as the chief festival in our
political calendar. Whoever has spent
his bovbood in the States will recall the
thrill OF excitement with which the great
holiday has always been nshered IN. L
confess was hardly expecting to IND IN
any foreign country such demonstra-
ton as we had last night and this morn
inc. The sharp and familiar explosives
around YOUR houses, revealing the pre-
sence Of youthful patriots, with unabated
zeal, the salute OF thirteen guns from the
shore battery at sunrise, the display OF
the national colors on so many private
houses, on the shipping in the harbor,
and even on the tramcars and carriage
buses in the streets. And here IN tins
larre Opera House we have the inspiring
strains of national music and choral song
to aid us in worthily celebrating the day.
You have also made generous provision
for aquatic and field sports which are
sure to be in order at this time.
We are nominally concentrating the
achievements of our country's lndepen-
dence in l776, the official declaration OF
which has Just been read. We shall
never forget the men who signed that
immortal document, nor the results that
flowed from it. The nation can never
out row lis early history. 1t will never
be ashamed OF its birth.
But the present year is suggestive OF
other events, and we need not dwell now
upon the independence which the fathers
secured for us, nor even the later conflict
upon the question OF political union
which Webster argued with such elo-
ouence in the Senate, and which Presi-
dent Lincoln maintained when he called
the nation to arms Those great issues
are settled-we hope lorever-and We
can turn our thoughts the more willingly
to themes relating to the development OF
onr country In various directions.
The speaker then referred 10 the recent
celebration IN New York, commemorate
inc the inauguration -ol the nrst Pres
dent under the Constitution; to the
Victorian era which covers Il little more
| than half OF the entire century OF our
national existence; to the character OF
the nations founders; to the stability OF
American political institutions, and to
/ lie TACT that not i country IN Europe Is
Row so firm and prosperous as the Amer
| can Republic; which was owing In 4
sarge measure to the general diffusion OF
! knowledge, which made the people the
! ruling power. He spoke OF the wide
/ distribution OF property in America, com
/ pared with other countries; to the NUM-
licent gifts OF charity for public Libraries,
! technical schools, colleges and UNIVERSE
| ties, now amounting to millions annu-
| allv. Our foreign relations were re-
| formed too, and the respect shown by not
only European nations, but by those OF
| Asia, China, Japan, Corea, Siam, Ha-
waii, etc.
We are Obliged by want of space tc
abridge this report OF most eloquent
address, and give merely an outline OF 1t,
The exercises closed with singing two
verses OF the national hymn, Star
Spangled Banner" followed by the band
which had assisted in the music through
out.
At noon a national salute of forty-twc
guns-one for each State now in the
American Union-was fired from the
shore batter.
THE ATHLETIC SPORTS.
Atlp. m. the athletic sports began al
Makiki, where a very large concourse OF
spectators gathered TO view the foot
races, Jumps, etc. About 5000 persons
were present on the ground, including
those In the grand stand and in carriages
and on horseback. The prizes were
awarded as follows: Fifty yard race,
won by George Rosa, first prize $40
second prize s. won by w. K. Kaae.
One hundred yard race, won by VIM.
Kaae, first prize SO; second prize S.
George Rosa. One hundred and fifty
ward race, won by VIM. Kaae, first
prize $40; second prize 50 Geo. Rosa.
Sack race, won by Edwin, first prize $40.
J. Publ, second, S.. Long jump, won
by Luahiwa, first prize SO; Kina, sec
und, So. Three standing jump, won by
Kina, first prize $40; /. Luahiwa, sec
ond, 50. The creased pig was won and
kept Dy native boy whose name We
did not learn.
The baseball match began at 3 80 p.
m, and ended about the usual hour.
There was some hitch regarding the
scores, and we understood that the UNI
pire would not decide until to-day. The
grounds were most unusually crowded,
and the thousands that were present
could not be guessed with anything
like an approximation.
RECEPTION AT THE LEGATION.
His Excellency Geo. w. Merrill and
Mrs. Merrill received their friends at
the Legation till O'Clock Thursday
,afternoon. During the entire afternoon
the rooms were crowded, and many ex-
pressed their regrets that they were soon
! to leave and return to their country, to
give place to new representatives OF the
| Great Republic. 1t is not certain how
soon MIR. Merril's successor will arrive,
as he had not been named at the latest
advires from Washington.