The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-04-04

After the. benediction CAM the presen-.
tation Of gifts. This was novel, anu
sing, and expe nsiye: to a congregation as
small and poor as the Japanese, as il adj
dition to the special gifts Oh, the. Christ
mas tree for individual friends, they pro-
vided gifts for visitors and all, and the
house was we'll crowded with visitors.
The pastor Of the church, Rev. H.sKihara,
delivered an address to his people IN jap
anese, and he was followed by Rev. 81.
w. Peck, Of the Methodist church. Then
four young Japanese went through the
audience and distributed lltLlo rolls Of
paper about the size of pipe-stem,
When unro|led ca b paper was found to.
have number on it, there being CORE.
spending number on each package
brought for distribution. Some of the
presents were quite costly and others
cheap. The calling off of numbers Of
packages and distribution of presents
caused quite little Autter Of excitement
as there was considerable incongruity in
the directions they went, many grown
men drawing tin horns or sewing baskets
while some ladies received cavalry spurs.
My prize was set Of doll dishes, while
Mrs. Jenkins, from New York, who was
on her way on missionary tour to
Japan, drew boys sword. I asked her
If she proposed to take Japan with the
sword in the way Mahomet established
his faith.
Hawaii IS truly missionary country.
The influence Of the missionary is left on
the streets, in the stores, shops, and
Offices. As consequences Christmas is s
holiday almost as sacredly kept as the
Sabbath, and T have never been in any
land where the Sabbath was so sacredly
observed. Honolulu has saloons, but
there is little visible drunkenness. I
don't remember having seen any man
under the influence of liquor, except a
few s,ilors. The enemies Of the present
government contemptuonsly call in the
"missionary government" because most
of the officials and heads Of departments
arc the SOUS of missionaries. -
During the latter part OF Christmas
week u rumor got abroad that President
Dole was going to begin the new year by
granting free and full pardon to all the
remaining political prisoners. He had
pardoned seven on Thanksgiving Day,
but eight of those who had been the
most dangerous rebels in the outbroke
of January, 1895, still remained On 'srhe
Reefs" as the prison here is called. -.
The rumor proved to be we'll founded.
President Dole, who is one of the kindest
men I over met, had determined to set
free the remaining prisoners, who were
Chas T.. Gullck, W. T. Seward, John F.
Bowler, Rober W. Wilcox, John W. Wise,
Joseph Clarke, J. W. Blpikane, and John
Lilikoi. At nine thirty on New Years
Day, the eight prisoners were called from
their cells into the prison yard, and there
heard their pardons read with great in
terest. The government was represen ted
by Minister Daman, Attorney-G General
W. 0. Smith, and Judge J. A. Magoou
for the Board OF Prison Inspectors. The
encouragement read the pardons, and
made few remarks In kind tones, which
were answered by Major Seward with
senti nents of regard for the clemency
exte aded by the government, the others
showing their appreciation by graspin
the hands of the officials. A large crowd
OF interested natives were gathered at
the outside gates. and when the Hawaiian
prisoners emerged from their confinement
OF eleven months, they we're greeted with
loud cheers.
| "The Republic is stronger to-day than
ever, Was the universal opinion. That
act OF clemency on the part of Dole will
heal over the old sores, and we will soon
be united people," said one Of the
spectators.
| LILO oLdIl11euU was DOr0S OuL nv the
number OF royaiists present at President
Dole's New Years reception, the hearty
CONGRATULATIONS and wishes of a happy
New Year, and many Of them. both to
the head Of the Republic and the R.pub-
lie itself
President Dole's New Year reception,
just referred to, was held in the Council
Chamber of the Executive building, and
was one Of the most important and
magnificent events in Honolulu society
the writer has had the pleasure of wit
Messing. President and Mrs. Dole
showed hat courtesy, digni' y, aud at the
same time democracy due from he heads
of republic and leaders in society. Mr..
and Mrs. Dole are in the prime of liie,
gifted with strong common sense, and
what he possesses in executive ability
she has as leader Of society. Mrs. Dole
is graceful and beautiful lady, noted
for kindness Of heart, and is as much
mi os><l l. ~