The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-06-06
AT PUNAHoU.

Memorial services were held yes
terday at Oahu College. The ex-
ercises were closed with the fellow
ing address delivered by DR.. A. B.
Lyons:
We of Punahou should join in the
observance of Memorial Day this year
with peculiar interest. We are re-
minded by the heavy tidings that
came to US yesterday that Punahou
had its representatives among those
who fought the battles of their coun-
try in the great war that was desolat-
ing America thirty years ago.
When I came to Punahou to enter
the class of "sub-freshman," found
that there was one young man who
was universally recognized as the
leader in the school. / soon came to
admire, myself, as every one in the
school did, girls, think, as well as
Armstrong-that was what we called
him-his pre-eminence. First in his
lessons-that was q matter Of course,
and so he himself seemed to think,
without particle of vanity-what
was the use Of studying if he could
not thoroughly master each task
First on the play ground. Other boys
in the school were perhaps as well en-
dowed as he with muscular strength,
but none were his match, we knew,
when prompt decision and quick &C.
ton were called. Self reliant, he in
Vited and won our confidence in his
ability. Independent, manly, impet-
uous, yet forbearing and magnani-
mousAsuch was the Sam Armstrong
of Punahou school.
Soon after he went from us to study
elsewhere, there came to us the start
ling, soul-stirring news of the out
break of the Rebellion-of the upris-
ing of mighty nation to maintain
its integrity and to rebuke the great
wrong of slavery.
We knew what to expect of Arm
strong. He held himself to his stud
les only to complete his college
course, which was nearly finished.
Then he offered himself to his coun-
try-not the less his country that he
had been born in Hawaii nei-and
not alone. He raised a company of
his own, entering the service with
rank of captain. We, who knew
Armstrong, knew that he would
make dashing and able officer. We
heard of him-now leading ::perilous
charge, again made prisoner at Har-
per's Ferry, not through any misman-
agement of his own. Again doing
noble service with a company made
up OF stragglers, his own company
having been annihilated. Always |
forgetful Of personal peril-a noble |
soldier. At the close Of the war he |
had risen to the rank of brigadier- |
general, and you have known him al |
ways as General Armstrong.
Freely he had risked his life for his |
country. What equally noble object |
could he find now in which to engage
bis powers? With his usual quick |
vision he saw the need of the hour
for humanity. The slaves had been
must be made |
men, courageously he gave his ener-
gies to this gigantic task single
handed; how successfully the world
knows. But the world does not know
the strength of purpose and greatness
If soul and tremendous personal en-
srgy that were needed to accomplish
t. After such achievement shall we
Iay that he is taken prematurely
rom life? Nay, with full knowledge
" the value, he gave it freely for the
loblest end he could choose. His is
he due to the hero who dies on the
ield of battle. 1t is of him we shall
hink to-day, when we join in remem-
,ering those whose lives have been
,iven for those of their fellows.
wonder how many of the Punahou
'oys before me will, thirty years
fence, be worthy of like browning?