The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-02-09
FOR COL. M'LEAN
Enthusiastic Meeting Of COnDa-
tTiOtS Saturday Might
THE SOLDIER BOYS TESTIMONIAL
Handsome Gold Watch
and Chain Presented.
Speech by Captain Murray and
Response by Recfpient-Other
Officers Speak.
THE SOLDIER BOYS TESTIMONIAL

Exactly 100 officers and enlisted men
of the N. G. H met in the Drill Shed
at 7;3O o'clock Saturday evening to bid
farewell to Colonel R. H. Mclean.
Capt John Schaefer presided at the
meeting Upon rap for order, Capt.
T. B. Murray, holding a fine gold watch
in his hand, addressed Colonel Mclean
in the following words:
Colonel McLean:-As the time of
our parting with you, perhaps for years
and perhaps, for most of us, for ever,
is near at hand, l have been requested
by my comrades in arms of the vol
unteer forces of the National Guard of
Hawaii to become their spokesman in
rendering to you a memento of their
esteem and regard for yourself per
sonally, and in recognition of the Of
fetal services you have rendered to us
during the period you have held com
mand over us.
ITO part with friend is always
sorrowful duty, but it is oftimes, as
upon this occasion, somewhat relieved
of the pang when the departing friend
leaves behind him only the pleasing
"reminiscences Of strong friendships
made and duties honorably discharged.
in requesting your acceptance of
this watch from the volunteers of the
National Guard of Hawaii, l, on their
behalf, feel satisfied that as you look
at it, daily or hourly in your distant
home, you will remember us all with
the same feeling of friendship as we
shall always entertain for you. May
your future ever be bright, prosperous
and happy; and amid your reflections
may you have few pleasant one of
Hawaii and her volunteers, and of our
affectionate word, Aloha with which
] hand you this memento."
Before the Colonel had time to re-
spond, Sergeant Stanmore of Company
Z addressed him as follows
Colonel McLean-on behalf of the
enlisted men of Companies E and F,
/ have the honor to present you with
this chain and locket as a small token
of our esteem and deep appreciation of
the many favors and benefits you have
conferred upon us. We sincerely re-
greet your departure, and our best
wishes will follow you wherever you
may 60"
In response to both Colonel Mclean
said:
"Gentlemen;-After listening to the
handsome remarks of the Captain and
the Sergeant, l am so overcome that
fear will not be able to express as
ittingly as / should like the gratitude
| feel to you all. These beautiful and
valuable presents evince the friendship
you bear for me; and l wish to assure
you just here that that friendship is,
from the bottom of my heart, recipro-
Gated.
Il came stranger among you to
take command Of the regiment, and to
do my best in building it up All my
life / have been soldier and l know
what a soldiers life is and should be.
l started on my career before the mast.
and have worked up, step by step, from
that. You all know l am a great adj
mirer of Napoleon That great man
had two colonies under him-one a
success, the other not. When he asked
the reason, his commanding Marshal
replied: The one says: Go on, boys"
but the other says: Come on boys. " ,
The latter is the kind of Colonel de-
sire always to be-
you know, without my saying so,
that the National Guard is better to-
day than it ever was before What it
required when l came was the undi-
vided and constant attention of a com
handing officer OF course, in my work
/ could not do as much for the yolun-
teers as / have done for the regulars
But / have tried to look out for both
elements, knowing full well that they
would look out for men and the Gov
eminent, if occasion required.
Il accept these tokens of your good
will with many sincere thanks In my
Eastern home l will look at the watch,
count back seven hours and think jof
what you men are doing in Honolulu
Accept my best aloha in return for
your expressions of regard; and if any
of you are ever in the States, come to
sec AiS- II Ou d ONSI luCIe anu uScu
a friend, call upon me"
Captain Zeigler of Company F said:
Colonel McLean:-I feel that l
voice the sentiments of volunteers and
regulars alike when l say that We re-
greet your departure. On behalf of the
regulars / wish to say that we hope
health, happiness and prosperity may
ever attend YOU
Captain Mccarthy: Il know l speak
the truth when l say that SO per cent
of the volunteers regret the departure
of Colonel Mclean. While he has made
us, as volunteers, perform our duty, he
has always treated us as gentlemen.
l am myself new in the regiment, but
/ have observed the immense value of
the counsel and military instruction of
the Colonel to the volunteers Regu-
lars and volunteers alike have been
improved. They have been placed up
on a solid military footing. On behalf
of Company D, the only company which
ever came into open conflict with the