The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-07-11

rendered to me, l could work in an
Grafton delivered by an uncle of mine
In the year 1901 at Bunker Hill, and
people, who didn't know me might
think il was original, and I might get
great credit, as men often do, for
" stealing another mans thunder
Having made this confession, it would
now be entirely out of place for me to
accept the compliment if offered me,
but am exceedingly anxious to make
Il few extracts from this Grafton, CIV
ing my uncle the credit which properly
belongs to him; so, with very brief
sketch of him, | will make few quo
tations which / feel sure you will ap-
preciate, and you will pardon me If !
overrun the allotted time by about
three minutes. Mr.. VIM. Austin, my
uncle, was the father of James w.
Austin, formerly justice of the SUI
preme court at these islands, under
King Kamehameha V, and the
grandfather of William Austin WIFI
ting, justice of our circuit count. Mr..
Austin died In 1911, when | was but
four years old, but l have often
heard my father speak of him. Among
other stories told of him the following
is a good one: When he was a young
man, after graduating at Harvard, he
visited England, and went one day,
with several other Americans, among
whom was Washington Allston, to
Windsor castle to see the royal fam
lily. He had seen the king, George
I'LL, before, and several Of the party
said to him: "Austin, which is the
king?" He pointed to one of the
party who was the king and said:
"Well, that is the rascal who burned
my fathers barn. (Mr. Austin's
fathers house and barn were burned
during the battle OF Bunker hilD. In
the year 1901, when only % years of
age, he delivered the annual grafton
on the 18th of June, at Bunker hill,
before the artillery company of
Charlestown. He began his grafton
as follows: americans, fellow citi-
zens, freemen-The respect which
people pays to the memory of those
who purchased their freedom is the
standard of their own worth. That
nation is still free when the people
dare assert that their fathers were
free. If they know how to confess
their principles they are not dead to
their influence" Again, he says:
"Fellow citizens-The present occa-
sion offers a subject on which | know
your sentiments will all accord; for
who is here who does not love his
country? a subject the incidents of
which will awaken the ready sympa-
thy of every bosom; a subject which
ought to melt the frost OF age and
cause the current of its blood to ebb
back to the days of rs; a subject
which will venerate those feelings
which inspire and strengthen-those
principles which asserted US freemen."
He then goes on to show how the
colonists suffered much before striking
a blow for liberty, and then he says:
''There are certain moments when it
may be prudent to act without any
regard to circumstances; when reason |
will embarrass and reflections con-
fuse. The present moment must be
seized and stamped with its |
image, or in the next, it |
will fade and become indistinct Such |
are rare, deeply interesting |
and always partake of the great and |
sublime. Such a moment is the
big with defeat, disgrace,
bondage; or, victory, glory, freedom.
A moment similar to this our country |
The moment arrives;
the case is desperate, all is involved;
In an instant the die will be cast and
destiny irrevocable." After this fol-
lows vivid description of the battle
Of Bunker Hill, and then abiding to
he monument he says: at was
.ofeo1 70 hnnAp and &c t,nGgfnla fn n w |
brewer that which actuated those
who lie here buried. 1t is mOnu-
nent of principle against oppression,
aggravated by humiliating sarcasms
IN the courage of our fathers. On our
part we did not shed the blood of
England to serve the politics of a
corrupt court; it did not flow in sup
bort of a house of York, or of q house
If Lancaster; it did not flow to graf
fly the pride of conquest. We did not,
ike modern gladiators sacrifice the
blood of our brethren to amuse the
factions of ministers of
tate. On our part we can lay our
lands on our bosoms and call Heaven
o witness that the blood which
tanned these fields was justifiably
pilt. On our part we can tread this
pot with viTtuOus emotion, and,
While we contem plate the battle, the
principle for which we contended
tands ready even to sanctify the
bloody consequences. Yes, angels
would not have sullied their native
purity in persuing to extremity the
principle for which we fought. {
though they had shed torrents of
Hood and crimsoned over their spot {
ess robes Heaven had discovered no
'lemish.p He concludes his address
n these words: "Citizen Soldiers;
efore we leave these heights, permit
ne to address one word to yourselves.
While you testify your own principles
n cOmmemorating the days of Amer {
can glory, your fellow citizens are
lot regardless of another circum-
lance, equally interesting to your {
ceilings. How much is the pleasure [
f this day enhanced in contemplate
lg the most dignified object which a :
rec people can witness-the patriotic i
Dldier, equally ready to take up
r lay down his arms in obedience |
} the laws. Behold, soldiers, what I
Onfidence your fellow citizens repose ,
4 you. May you never-you never 3
that confidence. But if I
lese states ever do lose their liberties, |