ADDRESS TO THE U.S. CONSUL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 156, 5 July 1898, Page 2

ADDRESS TO THE U.S. CONSUL.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING,

Seldom has such a large and enthusiastic audience assembled in the Auckland Opera House as the one that gathered within the walls of that edifice last evening to witness the presentation of an addfess from citizens of Auckland to Mr Prank Dillingham, the United States Consul for this city. All parts of the building were crowded, and even, then some Were unable to gain admission.' By half-past 7 o'clock a large crowd was collected at the doors waiting admission, and long before the hour for commencing the proceedings all the available sitting accommodation was occupied, and later on the corridors were also crowded. The interior of the Opera House had been most tastefully decorated with Union Jacks and Starspangled banners by Mr W. Oldham, the stage presenting a very effective appearance owing to the artistic arrangement of the bunting. It is to be regretted that owing to the disorderly conduct of a few small boys at the back, who ought to have been promptly ejected, some of the speakers were interrupted; but at last the police interfered, one lad was removed, and subsequent proceedings were orderly.

His Worship) the Mayor, Mr Peter Dignan, presided. On his, right was seated Mr Frank Dillingham, U.S. Consul, and on his left Mr Bacheldor,

vice-Consul. The following gentlemen were also seated on the. platform: —Mr J. W. Shacklef'j'rd,Mayor of New j ton; Mr H.N. Pollard, Mayor of Parnell; Mr J. C. Macky, Mayor of Devonport; Messrs G. M. Reed, T. W. Leys, L. D. Nathan, Gerald L. Peacocke, S. Yaile, Thos. Peacock, Graves Aickin, F. -E. Baume, F. G. Ewing-ton, and J. H. Upton, members of the Executive Committee. All these gentlemen wore white satin ribbons on which were joined the Union Jack and .Star's and Stripes, with the motto, 'The Sentiment of the Hour.' There were also or. the platform Dr. J. L. Campbell, Professor F. 1). Brown, Me^rs T. Buddie, Rev, Canon MacMumiy. W. E. Smith, W. Aitken, .7. McLac-hlan, S. T. George, J. B. Graham, G. J. Garland, and ,t. F. Taylor/

As soon as the Mayor had taken his seat, Mr Eady's fine orchestra commenced playing the National Anthem, all present standing and pinging 'God Save the Queen.' After this three hearty cheers were given. Mr A. L. Edwards then sang 'Rule; Britannia,' in a manner that elicited loud applause. The Mayor, in introducing the business, said: I am very glad indeed to see such a fine audience here this evenin g. If we oould not assemble to celebrate this event we hardly deserve to be called men. (Applause.) What is it really that we are here for tonight? To shake hands with our kin across the sea. (Applause.) Everycne is here to-night to stretch a hand of friendship to our kin across the sea. (Applause.) I now call upon Mr Upton to read the address.

PRESENTATION OF THE ADDRESS.

Mr J. H. Upton.said: It is with great pleasure, ladies and gentlemen, that I appear here to-night -to do the duty which the Mayor has called upon me to perform. It has been said that this was not - the "proper occasion upon which to present ,this .address of goodwill to "the American people, but this large audience showsitha'. ;s not the common sentiment. (Applause.) This is the anniversary of the greatest day in the annals of the American people, and therefore we chose this day, because if the American people were doing the same to us we would like it to be on some such time as our Queen's birthday. (Applause.) Mr Upton said it was quite true that England" and America parted in anger, but they should aiso remember that few great events were consummated without anger, and seldom without bloodshed. At the time they parted, not only was American independence obtained, but the great principle of colonial government established. (Applause.) That separation established the right for colonies to be left to manage their own internal affairs in {heir own way. (Applauce.) That .was the charter of freedom secured for these colonies when the United States obtained their independence. (Applause.) When the English people obtained the Magna Charta they got their first rights: when Edward and ■Simon called the parties together.they secured the right of Parliament; when. William the Third was called to the throne still further powers were secured for the people's representatives; and the fourth great step was the institution by the American people of the right ipv colonies to manage their own affairs in their own way. (ApT>lause.) That night they therefore wished to offer the American people their tribute Of respect, admiration, and friendship. The present time was peculiarly suitable, because the United States was at present en-gaged-ma war •undertaken for the purpose of freeing another people. (Applause.) 'i'he sentiments set forth iv the addi-eSs were not only their own but those felt by the whole of the British people wherever they might be found. (Applause.) They all earnestly desired and trusted that the two peoples might for ever be found in unity of spirit a,nd the bonds of peace. (Apnlause.) Mr Upton then read the following address: —

TO FRANK DILLINGHAM, Esq., Cpnsul' in Now Zealand for the United- !' • States of America.

Sir,— By direction, and in the name of, the: Citizens of Auckland, in public meeting assembled, we take this opportunity of expressing to you, and througn you to the Government and people of the United States, our hearty congratulations on the anniversary of the foundation of your great republic, and the warmth of sympathy and sense Of Kin ship which we, as loyal British subjects, feel towards you as citizens of the UnV i ted States. The moment that witnessed the birth of your great nation was one characterised by profound emotions, by heroic conduct, and by a broad statesmanship, which it has been the fortune of mankind rareljr to witness. (Applause.) Many of the emotions and Sentiments of that time were of a character so strained anO so painful that time alone could soften them and assuage their keen severity, but now, happily after a century of unexampled progress in all things that make civilization a blessing to mankind, what in them was or anger and antagonism has passed away, and there is left for the admiration and imitation of mankind, the spectacle of a noble people, governed by the great principles then laid down, and characterised by an unfaltering1 love of reedom in the spirit of which your nation had its birth, and which was the precious heritage your Pilgrim Fathers carried with them from their native land. (Applause.) The world has yet to witness the further progress and development ot your civilising' power and influence, and it is our earnpst +hf>t- yonr people, and, ours from, which they sprang, may eye'r be found working- out their great destiny side by side. That all men Of, whatever kindred or race they be, may know that alike under the Stars ana Strides and under the. Union Jack ia found the home of ■poriopi' freedom, of equality before thf'I""''.. a"; A ':".».security of life and t«-v><Wty—. •-'•■.' '"'••■•— I—.

and that though they be two nations, yet they are one people, with a. common language, a common literature, a common-law, and a common religious development,., and that' they are governed and actuated by one common resolve, that wherever, in the providence of Gpa, they are called upon to undertake national responsibilities, those blessings of their civilisation shall constitute the privilege of all those over whom their glorious flags shall wave. (Loud applause.) With the assurances of . our warmest sympathies and sincers respect for our kinsmen and people of the United States of America, For anfl on behalf qi- the citizens of Auckland, (Signed) PETER DIGNAN,, . , ' Mayor. The Mayor then presented the address to the U.S. Consul amidst great applause. - THE CONSUL'S REPLY. Mr Frank Diliingham upon rising to return ihanks received quite an ovation.He said:' Your Worship, members of the various, committees, and ladies and gentlemen of Auckland —I should be wanting in all the tender emotions of our commo.i humanity were I not at least,to thank you for this splendid reception. Prohibited as I am at a time like the present- from making, a speech, I can only say that I have such a feeling of thanksgiving for the good people of your beautiful city that I cannot find words adequate to express my grati'ude to you. (Applause.) It has bee 1 my plea- ! sure to appear before different audi- ! ences in various parts of the world, but without flattery I can say 1 have never appeared before such an intelligent one as this. (Applause.) You in honouring the great country I have the privilege to represent are still loyal to that Sovereign who for sixtyone years lias been one of-the most humane the world has ever seen. (Applause.) That such is the case can be er.sily proved, and for your information I will read to you a cablegram that was flashed across the Atlantic many years ago, sent by your Queen to the then President of'the United States, (Applause.) ■To, the President of the United States, Washington: The Queen desires tc congratulate the President upon

the successful completion of this great .international work, in which the, Queen has taken the deepest interest. The Queen is convinced that the [President will join her in fervently i hoping that the electric, cable which now connects Great Britain with the' United States Will prove a a additional Mink between the nations, whose friendship is founded upon their common interest and reciprocal esteem. The Queen has much pleasure in thus com-. ■ municating with the President, and !thus renewing- to him her wishes for the. prosperity of the United States.' Mr Dillingham said: I simply read those cablegrams, my friends, to show you that forty years ago your own Queen felt that kindly interest in America that you are evincing this night in New Zealand. (Applause.) I remember one sad day many years sso when the'then President of. the United States had fallen by fin assas- ! s.'n's bullet. Who sent the first message of love to strengtheu the -widow in her hour of trial? It was your Queen. (Applause.) Who, again, was it sent, the first message of sympathy to the widow of America's military idol, General U. S. Grant? Your Queen. (Applause.) You are therefore simply carrying on that friendship inaugurated years ago by one of the most humane Queens who ever lived, ■ (Applause.) These feelings of good friendship should continue. ./for many .reasons. We have sprung from the same race; we have the same tongue, and are practically of the same religion. (Applause.) These friendships at their best partake of the character of human life itself, and like it are uncertain. The experience of the average individual might be briefly summed up: A little loving and a good deal of sorrowing. Some bright hopes, and many disappointments. Some glorious Thursdays, when the skies were bright and .the heavens blue, when Providence bending over us in blessings gladdened the heart; and many dismal Fridays, when the smoke of torment beclouded the mind, and undying sorrows weighed upon the heart. Some high .ambitions; and many Waterloo 'defeats--until the heart became like a charnel-house, filled with dead affections, embalmed ill holy but sorrowful memories, and then the silver cord was broken and the individual life, a cloud, a- vapour, passed away. I trust that the friendship existing now between the two English - speaking people of the world may , grow stronger and stronger from'generation to generation. .. as long as time shall last. (Applause.) Your Worship land gentlemen Of the various committees, and gcod people of Auckland, i. On behalf of seventy-eight millions of American citizens whose representative I am, here this evening accept your address, and I thank you for it on behalf of the nation. I also wish to thank j'ou on behalf of myself, and it may not be out of place for me to also return yoxi for Mrs Dillingham and myself our sincere thanks for your man-y courtesies since we first settled m Auckland. I again thank you and accept your address. (Applause.). ■'•«' The orchestra then played a selection of well-known American airs in a style that manifestly pleased all present. . ''..'" PROFESSOR BROW'S ADDRESS. Professor Brown was the next speaker. He said they were m?t that evening, as he understood it, not in any spirit of Anglo-Saxon spread-eagleism, but simply to present to the American Consul and his countrymen expressions of their good-will at; a time of \ anxiety and trouble. (Applause.) How- j ever strong and resourceful the people J of America might be, war must of a I ! necessity bring' with it much reason ! for anxiety, much ruin and, loss, much \ pain and death, and there could not j be many American families that did iiot experience more anxiety than rejoicing this Fourth of July. (Ap- j plause.) They were led to take this j step in Auckland because both they | and the American people, as the Con-, sul had pointed out, were Of a com- j raon speech, had a common literature, j I and were of. a common race. (Ap- ; I plause.) People who read the same j books, sang the same songs,'saw the j same pfeys, arid, gathered'their ideas, i from the same sources, must of necessity think the same thoughts. (Ap-' plause.) j

At this stage some interruptions oc- i curred at the back of the hall, and the Mayor requested that order should be maintained, remarking that as they paid nothing to come in ■ "they were welcome to go out and get their money returned. (Laughter.) j Professor Brown said that where a ; community was free to c-nrry their.! ideas in their own way they were '• more prosperous and nioi\> contented. J (Applause.)- All believed in this feeling of personal liberty, and it was that sentiment caused them to assemble on the Fourth.of July to tender congratulations to the Consul of j thn United States and Uisi country- !

men. (Applause.) They were colonists just the same as those people who lived some tiling over a century ago, and Who secured thea- independence, and tliey knew wJiat they ulso would have thought and done if placed in similar circumstances.. It was .that feeling made it possible for them xo assemßle that night. When the Americans secured tneir independence the liritish Government learned the great lisson that it is necessary to allow colonies to govern ■ utemseives. (Applause.) ■ > . - . Mr G. M. Reed next sang 'Hail, Columbia.' ■ ~ ' -

CANON MacMtfJRRAY's ADDEESS.

The Rev. George Mac Murray said lie was glad he had the high honour of being One of those asked to express to Mr Dillingham and through th c Consul' to the American people the sentiments'of the citizens oi Auckland (Applause.) He was thankful to God Almighty for the creation of the great ideal of the unity'of interest,1 unity of sympathy, and unity of heart -Of the two great branches oi" the AngloSaieon people. (Applause^); He was tha'nkfui for it, and lie looked forward to that, union as "one of the great forces which would mould the world's history for all time. He recognised that God had used the various races of humanity for his own great purpose. ;The Egyptians, the Assyrians, the Greeks, the Komans, the Jews, had all played a great part in the drama of human history, and no one who had studied the history of the last three, centuries could deny that the AngloSaxon peoples.had been the greatest makers of history during that period. (Applause.) To-day the Anglo-Saxon j people were making history on every; continent on the carth —making history, building nations, and moulding nations, not only in Europe and America, but in Asia, Africa, Australia and JS'ew Zealand, and-on the thousand islands of the Pacific Ocean. (Applause.) In all these places the race was working out the purpose of God, the great destiny that He had for humanity. He believed that God Almighty, in working out His purpose, had chosen the Anglo-Saxon people to be one of His greatest instruments; to this end he was thankful to feel j that there was this great sentiment of unity and of common interest between the English people and the Americans. (Applause.) The day had gone by for little Isolated kingdoms- to play a great part in the his- ( tory of humanity; the day was coming I when there would be but three or four or perhaps five great factors in the making of history. It was races, not kingdoms, that henceforth would be the factors, and the Slavonic race, the German race, the Latin race, and the Anglo-Saxon race were four great factors that would play a part. The Anglo-Saxon race was now exercising he believed the greatest influence in the world.' He would go further and say that- in spite of sin and evil in; spite of unrighteousness and injustice oftentimes manifested in" the British Empire and in America —and God knows there is enough of it in both— j still he said, and without contradiction, that the Anglo-Saxon race was the greatest beneficient factor in the making of the world's history, and if it was proved that the Anglo-Saxon race was the greatest beneficient factor in the world's history, then could they doubt for a moment that if that great influence was divided, if it was divergent in its aims, if it went so far as to be' eOnnicting in its' Objects, then its influence for good-was-maim-ed or lost, and the day that influence was .maimed or lost.would ,be"a hindering to the making of God's Kingdom on earth. . (Applause.) They had been told that the greatest event in American, history was the. Declaration of Independence, sonae'liing over a, century ago. But the event second to none in the history of the United States was that day when Wolfe, and his Highlanders climbed the heights of Abraham, captured Quebec, and made a United States possible in America. (Applause.) Therefore, when they looked at the whole history of that .people, from their foundation until now, they found that it was founded by British people, and to-day there was British blood flowing in the best veins in America, British character had moulded the institutions o*f America, and the character -of her! people, British laws and institutions still existed in America andin America there were seventy or eighty millions: of people, and the great bulk of them spoke the English langtiage.' (Applause.) At the present moment, when the wings Of the Angel Of Death might be heard over the American people, when the voice of mourning and fomentation was heard in the land, when the hearts of a great people were touched to the quick—surely that was the time for a brother to put his hand on the shoulder of a brother a.nd say, 'God be •with you.' (Applause.) Let Mm say for his fellow-citizens—citi-zens of a great Empire, to which the3^ were all proud to belong—that they ior their part, would, as far as in them lay, God helping them, do what they could to spread this sentiment among their own, people. There was a crimson thread of kinship running in the veins of Britons and America-us that should unite them together, so that although they could not be united in one flock, yet the Union Jack and the Stars. and Stripes might lovingly entwine together and go forth leadingthe great Anglo-Saxon race to the accomplishment of man's destiny and the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth—a kingdom that makes for righteousness, for freedom and for peace. (Applause.) Mr Dillingham said that his friend Ganon Mac Murray had mentioned the battle on the heights of AToraham. He just wished to mention that though himself an American born, his greatgrandfather was .a captain in the British army, and fell at almost the same! moment General Wolfe did. (W lause.) I

.Mr A. L. Edwards next sang 'The British Grenadiers.' ' Mr Thomas Peacock thought it was very gratifying that so many of the citizens of Auckland had responded to the invitation to. join, in taking advantage of the anniversary of American Independence to express to their American kinsmen the kindly sentiments which all felt. The large meeting showed in a very impressive way that whatever might have been the feelings entertained by our forefathers at the close of the last century there was not a vestige of irritation or resentment remaining at the present day. There was no feelinp- r>visting that would prevent them from offering hearty sympathy and sincere good will, or stating their admiration for them as a vigorqus and mighty nation. Of course, all were ready to admit that the independence 'proclaimed in 1776 was brought about,by the unwise and blundering action of those Ministries who at that period of history were at the .helm of onr affairs, .and that if the same enlightened' policy which Great Britain adopts towards her Ke]f-gove;rmii,& colonies at

the present day had then been p telwl such a separation need never have t enplace. (Applause.) The friendlvf. , ings existing between the AmS people and ourselves was .sWn , the sympathy expressed by th c Britill! people before the commencement - the present war and the enthusi™ with which it was responded to America, and how it -found veni \ a public places of entertainment by ** coming the strains of our own N-<t;!l al Anthem, or to the graceful aS t the part of American officers i a «£ camp at Tampa in honouring th" birthday of our noble Queen &a ■ plause.) They had seen that "friendly feeling existed between the two m tions at the ■ present hour, such a? hitherto had not been equalled..Mi e V f it not happen that Some of the jea ousy and hatred entertained by Continental nations with regard to Great Britain might be transferred to tie other branch of the English-speaking' race, and that circumstnaces might arise in the future to render■■"it expeV ent to form a closer bond of; union by an alliance for mutual defence? (Applause.) Who could doubt that such an alliance of;. the. Kjpglisli-sjjyjj. ing race, possessing as it would eit* ormous wealth and almost unbounded resources in all that, was essential for successful "" attack or defence present such a strong front" I to any .. combination that might be formed .to crush.-. them, %? would under j)resent Conditions bfe the- most effective means of securing t the world's peace. (Applause.) it was with such views that they Wet'e met on that commemorative occasion, to express to their American friends the warmth of their sympathy and to ; give utterance to those aspirations for the future, which animate their hearts in common with the hearts of toany ? millions of British and American ■ people in these eventful times.. (Applause.) • , Mr T; W. Allen theii sdfig- 'America* ; in a creditable manner. Mr F. E. Baume recited with his well-known ability the following original composition: —

-< union; 'Tis of Union that you speak,'- . X<Bt your words be straight and true, Worthy of the end you seek, ; , Of your kinsmen and of you. • .- •■ For the people they are one Though the sea divides the lands; •■ Now the work is well begun, " Brothers, clasp your brothers' hands. 'Tis for" Union that you pray,-;- .. ,"Let your prayer be from the heart, For the corning of that flay , ,; . When yotl Stand nd more apart. ■' 1-. '•:■■'■. So your prayer shall sure be heard, - By the God whom y6u confess; : ■>■'■ By a nation's pleading stirred, He shall give you cause to bles?. • "'. 'Tis of Union that you sing,— , j . Let your voice be clear and strong, (.-.• Till the vault of heaven shall ring ;''. With an Anglo-SaxOn sorig. Such a song as thrills the world ' With1 reverberating sound, Till the double flag unfurled t Shall in every land be found. Mr Baunle said: And ;ifiw, if you ' will have patience with me, 1 ghafr endeavour to extend the sentiments'expressed in my rough Verges. (Applause.) Union is not the proper word ■ to apply; it should be re-union. (Applause.) We come together1 in this way because we are members of the • . same family, and have only been severed by distance and the mistakes ~':]pt ";"' the past. It is re-union we are asking for, and it is ~Aot ohlyre-unldn we are asking for. We have had reference-to: the xmio;.. of the Aiiglo-Saxon.races, - .: but we ought railier to ;>ay of• those ■ who .speak \ine .iJnglish iongue. ~ I ;". speak as one born in this colony, y though not of Anglo-Saxon parents,-; - but claiming to have as much the right: to bo a member of an AngloSaxon union as anyon (Applause.) Mr Baume said further ti'.at.the;ini«/j pulse of the two great nations, Ame?'; r.ica and Great Britain, had been outward and onward. 3Tor a certain tinu • • a policy, of isolation had.been adoptecV■■•. but it could no longer exist in the altered circumstances of these times.'; There was in his mind-btit one.hopa for the assurance of good government,-. good laws, equal righti and liberty^ for the world, and that was the domiuation of the AriglOrSaxon :people. - (Applause.) It was for that reason he v felt his heart stirred by the sight- of , that A'ast audience, who, tie felt sure, were at one with all those on the plat- : iorm,. and with those who hid endea-' voured to give utterance to the feel- ; ings which he felt Were in theaudiv; ; ; ene, only latent, merely waiting^an opportunity for exi>ressi.ui such as had been made that night. (Applause.)' '■• When in America he had Conversations ■_• with a great, many citizens- of that ,' great country. He found ' them cer-v tainly impressed with the greatness ; v cf their country, but they had- a rig-ht .; to be impressed. With the exception , of the ne'er-do-wells—mostly im*l' grants—he found that the bulk of ™^.V.' people there were in sympathy with the British nation, and were, like , themselves, only waiting for an Opportunity to clasp hands and say,. v'Bro:!: ther/we have forgotten all that stood between ns.' (Applouse.) :Mr Baunleconcluded by reciting Alfred Austens fine poem, 'A Voice from the- West. Mr B. Eobinson sang with good elfect 'The Star-span?led Banner,' after which 'God Snvethe Queen' was sung . by all present, and three cheers tor,, the Mayor closed a most successful, and enthusiastic meeting.