The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1912-05-28
Berger Honorcd at Commercial Club


tiNuL Ahhhi anu HNrN "a Ah' ihNaA
prominent citizens on It's luncheon en-
tertainmcnt list, the Commercial Club
never had much larger crowd than
that which yesterday gathered to do
honor to Kapellmeistcr Berger, who is
about to leave for holiday trip to his
native land. The surprise Of the day
to some was that Berger suddenly
branehed out as a speechmaker, doliv-
ering an address which began with a
touch of pathos that reached everyone,
and continued with mingled humor and
sarcasm, in comment upon local politics
which greatly delighted the big aud
fence of business men present.
81 am in politics now--I have to
be- was one of the captain S remarks
that aroused laughter and applause, and
when little later in his address he re-
called old world politics as he kney
them forty years ago, he got still
more vigorous round. "The politics
| was in then was for the good of the
whole-this politics is for the good of
a few" said the bandmaster, and ev-
erybody clapped hands.
George w. Smith, of the merchants
association, made the address by which
the merchant bodies and general pub
| lie of Honolulu expressed their aloha
for the man who has led the Hawaiian
band since it was organized. Smith
was seated at the central table with
! the guest of the day, and addressed him
directly. Others at the table were
President G.. F. Bush of the CONNER
cial Club, j. F. Hackfeld, German con-
sui; Col G. P. Iaukea, Fred Macfarlane,
f. I. Spalding, W. o. Smith and +. A.
Schaefer.
| "On the eve of your departure for
the Fatherland the citizens of Homo
lulu desire to testify to the esteem il
which you have been and are held, -
| said Mr.. Smith. "Hence this gathering
here this afternoon, which is at once
a greeting and a Godspeed on your
| journey.
| ''For forty years, in your official ca
pacity, you have served your adopted
country and during that long period
YOU have exemplifed three virtues,
obedience to those in authority, fidel
ity to duty and desire to give pleas
ure to those around you. In this you
have honored the country Of your birth
and You have honored the country of
your adoption.
"Forty years of service. Thinl'
what changes are enclosed within that
space of time.
"Children Is children now listen in
place of those who first heard the har
mony called forth by your silent COM
mand.
| tGTba nanny, ond oireuY nrtouca nf linz
and queen have been given added splen
dor with stirring note from those you
led and, to the sound of sacred hymn
and solemn dirge you have guided the
way to the place of their last long sleep
IA throne has crashed and from the
ruin the young Republic rose ushered
in by magic of your music.
"This in turn gave way to the great
er Republic whose banner now floats
where first you taught the art of mel
ody.
| "You have welcomed the coming
guest to our shores and sped the part
ing, filed with fond memories and
beauteous picture of our land.
"Could we but with wand of magic
summon that great company here to
day what array would pass before us
Heroes of land and sea, soldier and
sailor of every cline, the high, the low,
the rich and the poor, all bettered by
the sweet notes drawn by you from
throat of brass and reed and flute.
Troubled hearts have been sootheS
and anxious minds Gained while Joy
and gladness have been given to all.
One by one those you first taught
have dropped from the Tree of Life
to be escorted to their last home b
strains they had learned to love.
"Thus have You won your way to the
hearts of those around you and when
You leave Us now you take with you ouI
hest wishes, our hearty Aloha with
the hope that you may again return to
us.
"These be but empty words were
they not accompanied by a more sub
stantial gift from those who know you
well and I now place in your hands
an example of their generosity, with a
| list of the donors, among whom you
will find no name more respected than
that of Hawaii 3 former queen, Liliuo
kalani.''
As he concluded his remarks Mr.
Smith handed Captain Berger the com
munity's gift to him for his vacation
check for $4,000, made up of subscrip-
tions in which all classes of citizens
joined.
Berger's Response.
The applause that followed Mr..
Smiths remarks was ,long continued,
and when Berger rose TO reply it was
with a showing of emotion for which
he most neatly apologized GA must
cian," he said, when be had recovered
his voice, "has to be an emotional man.
If he is not such, he can not be must
clan. 1t is a musicians business to
touch your hearts.
The Value of Culture.
81 came here to teach Hawaiian
music. The merchants here furnished
the funds, and the musical education
that has followed is part of the
culture of the community. These are
days of commerce, but you must give
a moment for culture. Looking back
I t.,As 4 A Il