The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-05-19
Meeting to Arrange for Reception
Of 7. s. Troops.
SEVERAL PATRIOTIC SPEECHES
Minister SewaH the First Orator
Geo. w. Smith Chairman-A Com
mittee of 100 Appointed.

There hasn't been a meeting in Ho-
noIulu since 1898 to equal the rally of
last night, at the Drill Shed The
place was crowded. The Government
sent Captain Berger and the band.
Enthusiasm ran high. All the address
es, especially that of the American
Minister resident, were appIauded. Mr..
Sewall was frequently interrupted by
cheering. The gathering was in re-
sponse to the call for assembly by
Americans and friends to prepare for
reception of the troops of the United
States to touch here en- route to Ma
Mia. The crowd began to collect be-
fore Z o'clock. It included men from
all walks of life and all natiOnalities.
There was much chatting before the
meeting opened of the operations Of
the American navy.
Minister Sewall, w. a. Kinney, At
torney-GeneraI Smith, United States
Consul-GeneraI Haywood and DR.. John
S. McGrew were called to the stage.
There were cheers for the Father of
Annexation" and for the American
Minister.
In opening the meeting Mr.. Smith
said that it's purpose was well under
stood and that the first business was
to elect a chairman. Senator McCand-
less proposed Mr.. Smith for the presi-
dency of the evening. Carried unanf-
mousIy. Maj J. Walter Jones was
chosen secretary in the same manner.
Chairman Smith thought remarks
would be in order and called upon the
American Minister. Mr.. SewaH said
he understood the action to be taken
was by residents and from their hearts
This did not look like a neutrality
meeting 1t was evident all present
entertained thoughts of the grand
fatherland beyond the sea. There was
not here any appearance of indiffer-
ence to the United States now that the
Government was involved in a war
The Hawaiian heart 'if you will" the
great American heart, the popular
heart, beats more loyalty now than be
fore the United States had reluctantly
gone to war.
1 believe all present are in sympa-
thy with the United States in her com
bat No nation could have been more
patient or fOrbearing than has the
American before engaging in this holy
war Her demeanOr has commanded
the admiration of the whole world.
The United States has been response
BILE morally for the condition Of Cuba.
Effort was made to victimize the Unit
ed States with speciOus diplomacy.
Woman and children were starved and
killed in sight of the United States
under the pretense of war. Then came
the destruction of the crew Of the
peaceful Maine and the wreckage
of that ship. Not till this climax was
our great country reused to action.
Then was the platform of common
humanity adopted and the course
taken commended by all civilization.
1 feel that all the men within hear
ing would be willing to serve the Unit
ed States in the great cause she has
espOUsed. One opportunity was given
Americans here This was when
month ago there was grave threat of
attack here from the enemy of the
United States. The men here showed
no sign of fear or f1inching. The
Spanish feet that was to come to this
place and then to ravage the CalifOr-
MIA coast is beneath the waters of Ma
Mia bay, sent there through the skill
and valOr of American seaman under
that daring naval commander whose
name is now placed beside Farra-
quits. Your Baltimore was there So
was the Boston. In the lead was the
Olympia with Geo. Dewey aboard.
This victory meant everything to the
United States. Americans had not
| been at peace so long that they had
forgotten how to fight. The modern
navy has been gIoriOusly vindicated
The danger to Hawaii is past. The
! American flag floats over the Philip
| pines, and behind it is an irresistible
force that will settle the problem Of
| this country, whose important geOgra-
| phical position must now be recOgniz-
| ed. The flag has been placed by Dew
| ey. The present administration is not
! Of its own accord hauling down any
American flags anywhere. These men
on the way to support Dewey should