The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-06-01
FLOWERS FORSOLD|ERS' GRAVES

comprehend it and especially, since
the cause was weighed in the balance
by such men as Lincoln and Grant
Hours could be spent, as hours have
| been spent, in eulogies Of those, both
officers and enlisted men, who en-
gagged in this struggle that We in
this generation might enjoy the fruits
of industry and peace that have been
thus provided. But / wish to spend
the few minutes that l may have on
this occasion in pointing out some of
the duties that devolve on us of this
| generation and some Of the obliga-
| tions that we owe to our nation be-
cause of this memorable event. Two
| legacies have come to US from this
great sacrifice: namely, those of peace
and industry These two phases of
our existence are inseparably linked
| together. There can be no lasting in
! custry without peace and content
ment, and there can be no peace that
| is born of recognition of mans rights
| without healthy activities in produc-
| tive industry. The life of the nation
! Is oftentimes like the activities of
] mining for rich ore; as the industry
! develops, blasts must be carefully
placed in the solid earth and set off
| by a small spark of electricity or fire.
| Then comes the great and important
work of clearing away the debris and
searching for. arranging, and utilizing
the precious materials that have been
liberated The Civil War, as an
event, may be likened to one of these
great explosions; led up to by events
over which no single man had con-
troll, but when the time had come the
CONFUSION took place and now 1t is our
work and duty to search for, collect
and utilize the great resources of the
nation that have been thrown into
vibration by this conflict These re-
sources need not always be the out
come of great conflict, the wasting of
blood and human lives, but they may
be the result of quiet agitation and
diplomacy. OftentimeS the greatest
events in history have been consum-
mated in the quietest ways. One of
the most notable achievements in
modern government is diplomacy. and
I believe the time is not far distant
when states and nations will settle
their disputes by diplomacy and ar
tDotcdd VI ny COII-
flicts. According to press reports OF
the past few weeks, it would seem
that the sentiment in favor of diplo-
macy and arbitration in international
disputes had, comet-like, returned to
other parts of the universe. l think
that no one will argue that armies and
navies are unnecessary, or that they
are not an agency for general good, but
there are good arguments for the
statement that the nations at this
time are augmenting their armies be-
yond the necessities warranted by the
attitude of any one nation towards
another. One might almost surmise
that the extent of ornaments is a
measure of international distrust. 1t
is pleasant to note, however, that the
United States is not a party to the
frenzy that is now sweeping over
Europe. 1t is estimated that be-
tween six and seven billion dollars per
year are being spent in maintaining
the European armies. eBut the spend
ing of money is not the dark side of
this situation: 1t is the withdrawal
of such large numbers of able bodied
men from productive and resourceful
employment. Whether our army and
navy is already too large for these
times of peace is a question on which
there may be an honest difference Of
opinion; but it is pertinent to say
that it is not sapping our resources
nor withdrawing our men to any
alarming extent from industry.
1t may be rightly maintained that
the forces of the United States are
essential for the proper policing of
our extensive shores ana 10 insure
and encourage our Industries and
commerce, but it is also the duty of
every citiZen, commonly or state TO
see that these forces shall never be
called on for protection against overt
acts or to defend injudicious lcgisia-
ton against the subjects Of another
I nation. 1t Is a glorious record that
the United States has never engaged
in wars of conquest, but only those
in the cause of humanity and Justice.
There are ,wo phases IF cur CON-
ception of people: that which has for
its price, Incidence, timidity and
lethargy; and that which comes
/ through the acquisition of jusEice and
righteousness even though it be by
sword and bay wet. This type Of
peace is that which has been upheld
in all conflicts of the United States
and it is this type of peace that the
present generation stands ready to
maintain. 1t is to be noted that the
higher phases of righteousness and
liberty come only through conflicts
with oppression. corruption and other
forms of evil, and it is by these con-
fiicts that nations grow into great
ness. That individual or community
who is willing TO sacrifice his or its
best in life for the peace that comes
from Sinking duty or turning blind
to the manifestations of expressions
and inhumanity is not the type of
citizen bred in the United States.
The maintenance of peace through
force for righteousness is not the only
manifestation of patriotism-the es-
sence of patriotism is the sacrifice of
personal interest to public welfare.
and this principle may exist every
where and with all people. 1t may
be manifested by the individual. in
civil life by the community and the
state. Thus when a citizen observes
tine regulations of the Board of Health
against the spread of disease or sac
rlhces property interests for the gen
eral good of the community or when
one part of the community sacrifices
its individual good for the whole. true
lit