Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-30
Speech q alIaister sswall.

A copy Of the Hawaiian Advertiser, re-
ceived in this city by. Mrs. stevens. con-
tains the able speech of Minister Harold
NJ. Sewall in Honolulu at the conclusion
OF the formal transfer OF government. 1t
follows in full:
Fellow Countrymen: congratulate
you on the contamination this day-re-
cords, a contamination not a change, the
inevitable contamination of the national
policies and the natural relations pbe-
tween the two countries now formally
and indissolubly united.
"Inevitable as has been this union. we
may rejoice that 1t will take ITS place in
history with the awakening of the Amer
lean people to a sense of their responsible
lty among nations. in that splendid pro-
cessiOn Of events begun at Manila and
which has now embraced these islands In
its broad sweep.
"You are no strangers to your country
men across the sea, bound to them as you
are by the achievements of their sons
and brothers here. and by an the activi-
ties that make up country's life. You
are no strangers. certainly not in the
mOmentOus present. For as 1t comes to
every nation In the dread ordeal of war
to test the loyalty of all its sons and the
devotion of all its friends so they have
tested you. tried you and found you true
when you refused to listen to the sug-
festions of the selfish and timid, and
at your peril. offered up all that these
islands had to offer. as a sacrifice on the
altar of devotion to a country you had
not yet the right to call your own.
"And your cOuntrymen can never for
get that this loyalty and devotion and the
opening of hearts and house to our SOL
dier boys that followed this, was the 10y
atty. the devotion and the hospitality. not
Of Americans. though this were sweet in
deed, but of men who sought to be
Americans and had been denied, of men
who founded state FOR the purpose of
admission to the American Union and
had been denied of men who presented
this strange spectacle to the world that
they stood ready, as you gentlemen about
me today, to give up office, and power
and personal eanOluments and glory. for
the simple dignity of American citizen
ship. Even as you have given up a flag
you love. and surrendered the sovereignty
OF these beautiful islands, that Hawaii
may take her place. however humble that
place may be. in the protecting circle of
sovereign American states.
This is the contamination you witness
today, which you and your children's
children will have the right to celebrate.
and let there be no mistake as to its
meaning. 1t means the triumph OF no
party or faction among you, the Oppor-
tunity for no personal gioriflcation or
personal resentment. the confirmation In
power of no authority over you that shall
not commend itself to the sense of fair
ness and of justice of the representa-
tives of the American people. but rather
the burial of past prejudices. the Obltera-
ton of narrow divisions and the ultimate
political advancement OF the humblest
citizen over whom this flag shall float.
But II is not for you to rest content
in the enjoyment of free institutions. 1t
is for you to help maintain them, to
maintain them In the spirit they will be
extended to you, In the spirit you have
sought them in the spirit of fraternity
and equality in the spirit of the constitu-
ton itself, now the supreme law OF your
land. to establish justice. to ensure your
tranquility. to provide for the common
defense. to promote your welfare. and to
secure the blessings of liberty to your
selves and your, posterity.
This is the work before You my coun-
trymen antfli bid you advance to it.
Hand in hand may you go. you of the
home race with those whose fathers land
this was and whose generous virtues
have won for them the regard of all man.
kind. Hand in hand may you go with
them as they carry with them their un-
faltering love of country into the broad
plane OF American citizenship.
ADVANCE r. tie uplifting and upbuild-
ing OF this land to prove it worthy to
share the destiny of the great republic
Empire may wait indeed. but no hand
save His who holds in the hollow of His
hand the fate of nations can stay that
destiny:
God bless you my countrymen!
God bless the United States of Amer
icaw
The oath of allegiance to the United
States was then administered by Chief
Justice Judd to President Dole as ''pres-
ident of the Republic of Hawaii. now a
territory of the United States" and to
Ministers Cooper. Smith. Damon and
King. and the ceremonies of the day were
over.