The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-02-24

troll and lead public sentiment, aid
sometimes to take advantage of it in
carrying out the policies that he deem
ed to be for the public good. 1t is a
most interesting and enlightening
chapter of American history, how he
held back the stormy and insistent
demand of the nation for war with
| Spain day after day and week after
week, through his wise and conserva-
tive Judgment and the force of his
personality, delaying the opening Of
that war until it became inevitable
and until it could be entered upon
with a justification made possible by
such delay.
In the conduct of the war with
Spain and the treaty of peace under
| which hostilities were terminated, and
in the difficult and delicate work of
establishing a government for the
| administration Of the affairs of the
Philippine Islands, his genius as a
| wise and conservative statesman was
universally recognized, although his
| policy of holding that archipelago as
an American possession was freely
criticised by many of his countrymen.
while, as the Supreme Executive,
he lad in these matters the assist
ance of wise advisers and the benefit
of the suggestions of many who OPP
| posed his policy, yet upon him was
the ultimate responsibility of select
ing the advice and the suggestions
that he deemed best for the public
interest and acting upon them, and
sometimes, probably, of setting aside
all advice and acting upon his own
! judgment.
an the matter of the political union
of the United States and the Hawaiian
| Islands he was cautious and reticent,
| although undoubtedly favorable. He
watched the temper of Congress and
the sentiment of the public at large,
and studied the Hawaiian situation
and awaited developments. The OPP
| portunity came with the Spanish war.
| The story of annexation is too fresh
! in your minds to make it necessary
for me to dwell further upon his part
| in that movement so momentous to
| the Hawaiian Islands. But let me re-
mind you how, through all the nego-
tiations and through all the provisions
| adopted for the administration of our
! affairs, spirit of justice and friend
illness and an anxious desire for our
material and political welfare, md
that the adaptation of the new sys-
| tenn of government should as far as
! possible be without violence to local
feeling was paramount with him. If
mistakes were p'hde they were few
and minor ones. Large political
| powers were given the Territory of
Hawaii. Our legislative authority is
extensive. The franchise accords with
the prevailing system on the main
States is a benefit to us, and if it is
a good thing to have the Stars and
Stripes over us as our emblem OF
sovereignty, we must hold a large
measure of appreciation for it and
the manner in which is was carried
|
"As long as this structure stands
and the Mckinley High School con,
tinues, let all be reminded of the
quality of good citizenship, which
more than his official successes and
his record as a statesman, was the
paramount quality of his character
and that such quality of good citizen
ship is in the reach of all.
''Mr. Scott, as principal of the Nc
Kinley High School and representing
the Trustees of the library fund, the
the Committee commits to you and
your associates the care of this
memorial statue"
Masters Andrews Weservelt and
Donald Livingston then raced forward
and tugged at the knotted cord, and
the large American and Hawaiian flags
that had completely draped the excel
lent statue, fell to the ground. The
1t was modelled by Mr.. Gordon Us
borne from a photograph of the late
President, taken shortly before his
tragic death. The model was for
warded to New York, and cast in last
ing bronze. Mckinley is standing ir
typical attitude, and he is depicted
delivering an address. The pedesta
and base are of Vermont granite.
Professor Scott in receiving the
statue promised that the presen
pupils of the school, and those WHIT
came after them, would zealousl!
work to prevent any acts of vandal
ism being perpetrated on the statue
All connected with the school woult
not only deem the statue an artistic
thing, but it would remind those whit
, came here that a man born in hum
, BILE position in life, just an ordinar,
youth who had to work hard and t
, / MAKO all ayartionc 10 gat q Iittla adu