Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, with the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1875, Volume I
No. 302.
Mr. Peirce
to Mr. Fish.
Honolulu, February 26, 1875. (Received March 29.)
Sir: On Saturday the 20th instant, His Majesty the King addressed the people, who filled to repletion the large Congregational church in [Page 675] Honolulu, and gave a brief narrative of the incidents of his late tour to the United States, and it was spoken in both the English and Hawaiian languages.
A printed copy of the address, published in the Hawaiian Gazette of the 24th instant, is herewith inclosed. It is desirable that you should give it an attentive perusal, particularly as the address was composed by His Majesty, and presents the impressions and observations derived from his visit to the United States.
The resolution of thanks to the Government of the United States, which was unanimously passed by the people assembled on the above occasion, was ordered by the. King to be printed on satin and forwarded to the President of the United States.
With great respect, &c.,
HAWAII AND AMERICA.
Saturday last, at 12 o’clock noon, was the time which had been fixed for His Majesty the King to address the people. There was great desire to hear what he had to say regarding his foreign tour, and, long before the hour arrived, the Stone Church was filled with an expectant audience. The building had been gaily decorated with flags, evergreens, and bouquets of flowers, while Mr. Berger’s brass band and a full choir of vocal performers were in attendance. At ten minutes past 12 o’clock the arrival of His Majesty was announced, and the audience rose while the band played “God save the King.” He entered accompanied with Queen Kapiolani, and following them were the prince royal, William P. Leieiohoku, walking with H. R. Highness, Lnka Keelikolani; Governor Dominis and his wife, the Princess Liliu; Hon. A. S. Cleghorn and his wife, the Princess Miriam Likelike, Hon. C. R. Bishop and Mrs. Bishop, H. R. Highness Chas. Kanaina, the King’s ministers, his staff, and other officers of the government. Most of these took seats on the rostrum, on either side of the King, the Queen sitting at his right.
The audience comprised chiefly natives, though there must have been several hundred foreigners present, including the diplomatic and consular corps, officers of war-vessels, and many ladies and citizens.
Rev. H. H. Barker was called on to open the exercises with prayer, which was in the Hawaiian language. The choir followed with the Kamehameha hymn, after which His Majesty rose and read the following address, first in Hawaiian and then in English:
his majesty’s address.
“Only three months have passed away since we last met in this place, and during that time I have journeyed nearly 5,000 miles on the ocean and 6,000 miles on the land, or about 10,000 miles in all, through the perils of the deep and amid and over the snow and frosts of mountains.
“On the arrival of myself and suite on the western shore of America, at the city of San Francisco, we were received with salutes from the forts and vessels of war, and with every demonstration of high honor by the officials of the Government. General Schofield met us on behalf of the American Government. The general was at these islands in 1870, during the reign of Lunaiilo, at which time I made his acquaintance, and our meeting again was cordial.
“On landing we were received by Mr. Otis, the mayor of San Francisco, and by the military were escorted to our hotel. The city assumed the payment of all the expenses incurred during our stay, and this was but one of many instances in our experience of the generous feeling of that nation toward ours. I remained in San Francisco one week, and then we took up our long journey of 6,000 miles across the continent by railway. Through the kind courtesy of the road officials we were provided with three magnificent cars for our especial use.
“We were seven in the party that arrived at Washington. The members of the President’s Cabinet came out on the road to meet us—a high mark of respect on the part of the Government—and we were escorted to the hotel, where rooms had been prepared for us, by the military and bands of music.
“As soon as I was sufficiently recovered from an attack of illness. I called upon the President, who gave me a friendly and cordial reception.
[Page 676]“I visited the Government buildings and the Capitol, in which Congress meets. The Speaker of the House of Representatives addressed me with words of hearty welcome and friendly greeting.
“In regard to the proposed treaty of reciprocity—a subject in which we all feel deeply interested—the people and the Government of America are favorable to it, and the work of negotiation is in the hands of our commissioners. The latest advices which I have received give the information that the treaty has been signed by President Grant, and sent to the Senate for ratification.
“We remained in Washington eight days, proceeding thence to New York. In that city also we were received with distinguished honor and entertained with the most marked hospitality. After a stay of seven days, we went to New Bedford, the place from which in former years so many whaling-vessels have been sent out. But latterly that business has greatly decreased, and manufactures have taken its place. Here also we were received with demonstrations of high respect, a military escort, and every polite attention. At New Haven I visited the church where the Rev. Mr. Bingham and the other pioneer missionaries to these islands were consecrated for their work.
“We reached Boston on the evening of January l, and were received cordially. Here, at the house of Hon. Alpheus Hardy, I met the Rev? Dr. Anderson, a distinguished member of the American Board, who visited Honolulu in the year 1864. I attended service in the Park street church, in which Mr. Bingham preached before he sailed for these islands. I spent some time in Boston visiting the schools for youths of both sexes.
“I did not have an opportunity to visit the buildings and grounds that are being prepared at Philadelphia for the grand Centennial of 1876, but I am indebted to the courtesy of Lieut. Col. Forney, of the Pensacola, for an engraving of the same.
“In those buildings a separate department is reserved for every nation to be represented at the exhibition, and a place is reserved for Hawaii. While it is true that we have sent specimens of our products to England, France, and Austria, our displays of this description have been but meager, and it is therefore hoped that the opportunity which now offers will be zealously and industriously improved, and that all our merchantable articles of product will be fully represented at Philadelphia, whereby we may become better known to the world’s commerce. There are numerous varieties of cabinet-woods in our forests, and a vast number of other resources of wealth on our islands, now unproductive and but little thought of, which may yet be made available and be sought after, when once brought to notice, in this practical and ingenious age.
“From Boston we visited Lowell, the manufacturing city, and Waltham, where watches are made. After seeing the celebrated Falls of Niagara we at length arrived at Chicago, where we remained four days, being handsomely received and entertained by the citizens. We saw all the sights of novelty and interest. The burnt district, of which w’e read some time ago, has been rebuilt. The dispatch with which those great losses have been repaired, in a remarkably short space of time after the fire, indicates in a striking manner the wealth and enterprise of Chicago.
“From this city we went to Saint Louis, where again we were hospitably received, and where I met the renowned General Sherman. This city is full of wealth, with busy manufactories of iron and silver, and the product of coal-mines. At Jefferson City we were introduced to the legislature of the State. From thence we went to Omaha, where we were received and entertained with distinguished honor by the masonic body of Knights Templar. We remained but one night in Omaha, and from thence came direct to California, where, embarking on the Pensacola, we sailed for Honolulu.
“I am much indebted for the kindness and courtesy which I have invariably experienced at the hands of the gentlemen detailed by the Government of the United States to attend me on my journeys. These were—Colonel Wherry, of the staff of General Schofield; Lieutenant-Commander Whiting, U. S. N.; Captain Temple, U. S. N.; Lieutenant Totten, U. S. N.; Lieutenant Palmer, U. S. A.; Lieutenant Palmer, U. S. N.; Lieutenant Hooker and Lieutenant Emory, U. S. N.
“Throughout all these various journeyings, and at every “stopping-place, the Government and the people of America have placed us under weighty obligations by the unvarying kindness, respect, and good feeling which they have exhibited toward our nation through myself. Therein has that great and powerful Government evinced that it is in truth a friend to our small nation.
“As I observed the vast wealth and prosperity of that nation, I was impressed with the reflection that it was a result of the industrious habits of the people. They are never idle day or night. The wealth and greatness of nations is created by the cultivators of the soil and by the men who toil with their hands; and thus has it ever been since forms of governments were first instituted on earth. To these considerations let us of Hawaii Nei earnestly direct our attention, to the end that by our industries we may be enabled to attract foreign commerce to our ports, and freight it with the products of our country.
“If we take a retrospect of the past, we shall plainly perceive that a failure to put [Page 677] our hands and our faculties to a proper use has been one of the causes of the decline of our nation. Indolence, while it degrades the individual, saps the life of the entire nation. And therefore there is a vast difference to-day in the numbers and in the habits of industry of the people from what was to be seen in the days of Kamehameha I.
“Our position is a most favorable one: In the midst of the Pacific Ocean, on the highway of the world’s commerce, California on the east, Australia on the west, Chili on the south, Japan and China on the north. All these countries are progressing, and it will be impossible for us to remain stationary.
“Colonel Steinberger, who came in the same ship with us to Honolulu, is United States Commissioner to Samoa. We do not know the precise nature of his mission, but we do know that it is humanitarian in effect, and that this officer has already displayed his devotion to a remarkable people whom we are proud to call kinsmen.
“The Pacific Ocean with its productive islands now attracts the attention of the world. Our commerce will now enter upon a newer and grander course, and we are proud of the elevated view and modest action of the United States in Samoa.
“Let us therefore wisely take care of ourselves; and the best way to do this is to endeavor to make such material and social progress that the powerful governments whose friendship we now fortunately possess shall be convinced that we deserve their aid and support. Let us, in short, prove to the world that Hawaii is worthy of her position among the independent nations of the world.”
The delivery of the address in Hawaiian and English occupied just twenty-six minutes, and His Majesty was listened to with the utmost attention to the close. The choir then sang the popular national air of “Ka Lahui Hawaii,” composed by Mrs. Dominis.
At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. C. Kalauli stepped out into the aisle and said that it might be very appropriate at this time and in this place to pass some resolutions thanking King Kalakaua for his visit to America, and thanking the American Government for having so cordially entertained him while there. Hawaiians are proverbially grateful for favors shown to them, and this occasion should not be allowed to pass without some expression of the kind. The reading of the Hawaiian version of the resolutions was received by the large audience with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of cheering and clapping of hands. Their introduction was exceedingly opportune, and appears to have struck the key-note of the feelings of the assemblage. Mr. H. M. Whitney then rose and read the English version of the resolutions to the audience. Mr. Z. P. Poli made another motion, that the resolutions be printed and sent to the American Government. The presiding officer, Hon. J. Moanauli, then read them singly, and they were passed by acclamation. They are as follows:
“Resolved, That the thanks of the Hawaiian people be tendered to our beloved sovereign, King Kalakaua, for his mission to the United States, and for the favorable impression which he has made in that country regarding Hawaii.
“Resolved, That the thanks of the Hawaiian people are hereby tendered to the American Government and people, for the courteous manner in which they entertained our sovereign, and for the kindly service of a national war-vessel to convey him to and from San Francisco.
“Resolved, That these resolutions be printed in the Hawaiian and English newspapers, and that a copy of them be sent to the American Government through its minister resident.”
At the close of the proceedings their Majesties retired, and the audience dispersed. It was not generally known that the King would speak in English, or there would have been a much larger representation of the foreign element. It was one of the finest and most orderly assemblages that we have ever seen in that church on a similar occasion. The King and prince were dressed in plain citizen’s clothes, with royal badges; while the queen, who was tastefully attired in black silk with white lace shawl, looked very attractive. The whole proceedings went off very creditably to those who took part in them.
His Majesty has ordered that the resolutions be printed on white satin, and they will be in this shape forwarded to the President of the United States.