The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-06-02
Memorial Day Politics.
Ed. The INDEPENDENT

formerly a recipient of Monarchical
Government "pap," in an editorial
in last Monday evenings issue Of
that paper, endeavors to make po-
litical capital out of the observance
Of Decoration Day.
Because crowds we're present at
the exercises held in the cemetery;
because the regular troops" and
the volunteer forces" we're present,
no doubt by command of their
superior officer, there was probably
no alternative; because representa-
tives of the Citizens Guard chose 10
attend officially perhaps by command;
because among those men we're Ha-
waiisns who for the sake Of obi ain
ing living have taken the oath to
support the present government;
because among those men were
aliens from foreign countries, who,
for the same motives as those Ha-
waiians are carrying arms in sup
port Of the present government; be-
cause those persons took part in the
procession, it is said that they mot
only are ready to show honor to the
memory of Americas dead, but what
is far more to the purpose, they are
ready to show honor to her living
institutions" Will the editor OF the
Star assert that one twentieth OF
those men really thought OF Amer
ica's dead, or her institutions, while
on their way to the cemetery last
Saturday.
To the mind of the writer, Decor
alton Day is not one for political
show. 1t is an occasion upon which
relatives and friends Of departed
loved ones choose to set apart for
especial observance for the purpose
OF paying respect to the dead. 1t is
day Of solemnity. Whether the
institution Of the day is an Amer
lean idea or an institution of any
other nationality is immaterial, the
day would be observed in the same
manner The idea OF setting apart
a day for the. purpose Of honoring
the dead, is lovely one neverthe-
less.
The Crowds" referred to as being
present at the Exercises" we're no
doubt persons some of whom had
been decorating graves Of the dead
and remained at the cemetery to
participate in the exercises, while
others gathered there to watch the
proceedings, but not with any po-
litical intent.
The same could not perhaps be
said OF the Hawaiian government
officials and their military eontin-
gent Their attendance was wholly
for political purposes" and show.
The members OF the grand army
of the Republic and the Sons Of
Veterans, and the United States
naval contingent were there to OBJ
serve and carry out the purposes for
which the day was instituted, which
they did in an appropriate and heart
touching manner. There was no
ostentatious show with them. They
were on duty.
To anyone who has arrived in
these islands since the year 1892, it
would appear from the Star edi-
torial, that Decoration Day was not
formerly observed. Such is not the
fact, however, The day was OBJ
served even during the existence of
the Monarchy. Former government
officials were accustomed to attend
Decoration Day exercises A guard
of honor was detailed to act as an
escort to the members of the Grand
Army of the Republic on those occa.
sions, by the Monarchical Govern
ment officials. There was no poll
teal significance in those acts OF
courtesy, nor was there any unne-
cessary display of show on those
occasions.
The editor of the Star is aware OF
those facts, but, there is no Mon
archical Govern ment pap" Just now
] OBSERVER