The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-10-14


Kalaupapa landing for this very pur-
pose.
There are people in the world to-
day who affect to believe that the ago
of Christian heroism is past. They look
to the battlefield as the only arena
for the exhibition of heroism in it's
noblest sense. Heroism, to them, sig
nifies courage born of passion, patriot
ism begotten of exciting times; but
they fail to see that this patriotism
backs humanity and charity.
This ideal hero of our modern CIV
ilization knows that his heroism will
be recognized and that in the event of
his survival he may confidently expect
that grateful nation will reward him
for his heroism. But here, on Molokai
Island, is a nobler heroism, ignored
and unsung rendered at the altar of
humanity, with no expectation of re-
ward, among the sick and dying, under
conditions attended by vastly more
danger to life and health than the
risks Of war.
Such a hero was Father Damien, the
martyr priest of Molokai. Such heroes
and heroines are the men and women
who are following in his footsteps.
I accompanied the members of the
Territorial Legislature on their re-
cent tour of inspection of the Leper
Settlement. Never shall I forget the
sight that met my eyes when the frail
looking whaleboat which had taken us
from the steamer Kinan approached
the Kalaupapa landing. Over 500 peo-
pie, relatives and friends of the lepers,
had obtained permission to accompany
the legislators as far as the stockade
built on the Kalaupapa landing, where
they can speak to and see their lep-
rous friends from safe distance, but
the surf was dashing so high on the
beach that the authorities in charge
decided that it would not be prudent to
attempt landing such a great number
of passengers.
On the landing awaiting the arrival
Of the visitors stood Supt. McVeigh,
Father Maxine, the priest Of st. Fran
els Church and the Catholic Mission
band, entirely composed Of lepers, un-
der the direction of Brother Serapion.
Outside of the stockade hundreds Of
lepers stood, gazing with longing eyes
toward the steamer lying at anchor
off the settlement and on the deck Of
which were their relatives and friends
fathers and mothers, brothers and
sisters, and in some cases husbands
and wives.
AS the first boat containing the
House Committee and representatives
of the press touched the landing fee
BILE cheer went up from the assembled
lepers, and the band struck up a well
| coming air. 1t was a sad and pathetic
scene-a scene will adapted to melt
the heart of the strongest of men.
| Rev. Father Maxine, in behalf Of the
residents Of the settlement, welcomed
the visitors and invited them to 1auahi
1 Hall, where public meeting was held.
Complaints, however, were few, and
! the suggestions made were for the i'm
provement of conditions at the settle
! ment. The question Of a wine and
beer license brought up by leper was
| opposed by the superintendent and
! Father Maxine and defeated on a ris-
ing vote by an overwhelming major
| ity.
After the lunch, which was served
at the residence Of the superintendent,
came an inspection of the Bishop
Home for girls and the Baldwin Home
for boys and men. These two institu-
] tions are monument to the generos-
lty Of two prominent citizens Of Ha-
waii whose names ahey bear-the Hon.
c. R. Bishop and Senator H. l. Bald
| win. They are supported by the Ter
ritorfal Government, and are in charge.
| the former of the Franciscan Sisters.
and the latter Of the Brothers Of the
! Sacred Heart.