The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-05-30
JOHN L. STEVENS.
THE ANNEXATION CLUB PAY
HIM A FAREWELL VISIT.
The Ex-Minister Makes n Short and
Affecting Speech.

At 1880 Tuesday evening the
members of the annexation club to
the number of about $50 left the
club rooms and formed in fours on
Hotel street, where they were
joined by an equal number who
had been waiting on the sidewalk.
The Hawaiian band, Prof. Berger
conducting, took the head of the
column, which marched down
Hotel street to Nuuanu, to the
Eagle house, gathering recruits by
the way.
A committee waited on Mr..
Stevens, and informed him that
the members of the club present
desired the pleasure of taking him
by the hand before his departure
as slight token of their regard
for him, not only as private citi-
zen, but as a representative Ameri-
can. Having received a courteous
assent, the members passed into
the hotel parlor in single file, and
each one cordially grasped the dis
tinguished gentleman by the hand
and wished him safe voyage. To
many of his friends he addressed
kindly words of farewell, while his
cordial manner and hearty shake
to a stranger showed how much
he was affected by the proceedings.
The handshaking lasted about
half an hour, when, in response to
numerous calls, Mr.. Stevens spoke
as follows:
GENTLEMEN: | do not expect to
make you a speech because am too
tired; in fact 1 am very tired with
the eXertiOn of preparing to leave to-
gence on that account. But 1 will
say that I am most happy to have
this opportunity of expressing my
sincere heartfelt thanks to you all for
the many manifestations of kindness
and good feeling extended to myself
and family during my residence
among you. While | know this de-
monstration of your regard to be most
sincere and that you are all in earnest,
still cannot regard it as an entirely
personal one. / regard its meaning
in higher light and look upon it as
a proof of the fact that everywhere
Americans are gathered together
their hearts respond with sympathetic
thrill at the thought of that great and
glorious nation to which am bound.
| know, as well as everyone of you
must know, that in that glorious ma
ton, there are millions of hearts going
out in sympathy to you in response.
We are assured that America hes
reached that period of her greatness
when she is capable of standing
alone among the nations of the
earth, and that the number
of her citizens, her wealth and
resources and vast extent of ter
ritory, make her capable of saying to !
the rest of the world, Glands off on
wrong" and extending a helping
hand to all those who ask her aid in
the cause of right and justice.
1t is not easy TO separate from |
friends whom one has learned to love |
and respect, and whose goodwill has |
been so plainly evidenced tonight.
] would say in conclusion to you all, |
always do right" "never do a |
wrong to anyone.n In that way we |
can best show our love of our country |
and our God, and maintain our true
manhood and citizenship among men.
My friends, I bid you all good night |
and good bye.
At the conclusion of his remarks,
the latter portion of which were
delivered in a voice broken by !
emotion, although every word was
distinctly heard, three rousing
cheers were given in his honor,
and ex-Minister Stevens had said
his last public farewell to the citi-
zens of Honolulu.
Among those present who took
prominent part in the proceedings
were DR.. McGrew, J. B. Atherton,
F. NJ. Hatch, Prof. Alexander, Prof.
Lyons, J. A. King, II. Waterhouse,
J. F. Morgan, F. B. McStocker,
chairman executive committee,
Colonel Soper, w. c. Wilder, Jr.,
Postmaster General Dat, Consul
General Severance and lady, Judge
Frear, Hon. Harold Sewall, and
many others whose names are
omitted from lack of space.