The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-06-06
Very respectfully,
SAMUEL JOHNSON,
Col. Coming 1st Inf, n. G. H.

Addressing the retiring Colonel, thu
Acting Governor said in part:
''Col. Johnson, in your long service
extending even to the beginning of the
National Guard in this Territory, I be.
/ lieve that the people of these Islands
have fully appreciated the services
which you have rendered. It is very
much to be regretted that you have
been forced, by leaving this island, tC
relinquish your active command in the
organization, and we all hope that you
may later on return to Oahu and once
more take up your work.
Your work in the First Regiment
can be we'll described by one word
| efficiency. It is very safe to say that
no one man in the National Guard has
! done so much to bring the efficiency
of the regiment to its present standing
as yourself"
| The Acting Governor then invited
the officers present to speak and Lieut.
| Col. Coyne responded in 4 short and
well worded eulogium of the retiring
officer. And wishing him all kinds OF
success in his new undertaking.
Captain A w. Nicely of Co. F. who
was with the Colonel as a private in
the Republican Army was the next
Isspeaker. He said:
Colonel Johnson, this is not a pleas
ant occasion, in fact I see no smiles:
personally would much prefer to say
goodby in the good old way; but as
| am here | want to say this: What
ever pain I feel in parting with you is
more than offset in the knowledge that
you are launching out for yourself in
to what promises to be a successful
comfort may be had in knowing, as
we all know. that you are leaving your
military and civil affairs in a most
healthy condition.
at has been my good fortune to be
intimately acquainted with Colonel
Johnson for the past fourteen years
and during all that time / can safely
say that / have never met a more
honorable, patriotic and energetic man.
In fact, his energy has at times deep
defend myself.
Gentlemen, the regiment is losing
a most valuable head and may we be
fortunate in the choice of his sue
cessor.
Col. Johnson, I bid you goodby of
ficiany and wish you and yours the
best of success that you so richly de-
serve
Lieutenant ziegler spoke as
follows:
THE great secret of Colonel John
sons success in the regiment is due
to his ambition He was always am
bilious; when he was a private he
worked to be a corporal, when he was
a corporal he wanted to be a sergeant;
and so he went on working for
higher office until he finally became
the head, the colonel of the regiment
/ remember we'll when Colonel John
son was private in the regulars, he
came to me for his first examination,
that was for the position of corporal
and he passed the same at 100 per cent.
[ afterwards made him drill master in
my company, and when Colonel john
son got through with the recruits you
may be sure that they were in good
shape.
Il trust that the other officers of
the regiment will take the lesson
taught by Colonel Johnson of being
ambitious. Because an officer is not
worth anything if he is not ambitious,
he should be always working for ad-
vancement."
Captain J. B. German of Co. B was
the last of the officers to speak. He
said:
Perhaps there is no one present here
who knows Colonel Johnson as long as
do. I have known him for the last
fourteen years We were privates to-
gether in the old regulars under the
Republic of Hawaii. Colonel Johnson
has been mighty hard worker for
this regiment. He was a private, then
became a corporal. sergeant, second
lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain.
ieutenant-cOlonel and then finally col
onel of the regiment. The only position
he skipped was that of major.
I am sorry to see Colonel Johnson
leave US, and l wish him every sue
cess in his new undertaking, and. in
fact, anything he attempts to under
take. While we regret the loss of Col
onel Johnson, we will do our best to
work for the best interests of the regi-
ment for Colonel Johnson's sake, for
the regiments sake and for the f1ag's
sake"
This speech was greeted with ap-
plause by those present and when the
| cheers had subsidized the Acting Gov
ernor arose and said, he wanted the