1845: July 4 at Honolulu

FOURTH OF JULY

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: July, 1845, page 29.

The morn of this day of American Independence was ushered in, as an Irishman might say, the evening before, for a most generous discharge of crackers, squibs, and other fire missiles, commenced then, and was continued by the lovers of noise and smoke, through much of the night.

At midnight more pleasing strains broke in upon the ears; the band drowned all other sounds by the vigor and excellence with which they played and replayed ‘Yankee Doodle,’ ‘Hail Columbia,’ and ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ and other airs.

At daybreak 28 guns were fired, and bang, bang, crack, crack, went guns, pistols and crackers. In truth the day came in with all the accompaniments of a country celebratioin in the States. No preceding “glorious 4^th” that we have been witness to in this town, ever saw quite so patriotic a stir among the American residents. Could the merry peals of bells been added, and the tramp and glitter of “volunteer military corps,” the shade of even the elder Adams might have rejoiced in the display.

Salutes were again fired at noon and sunset, the band played, flags waved, and the whole town was kept alive by the enthusiasm of the day; while various dinner and evening parties, with a show of fireworks from Punch-bowl and other places, served to prolong the general gratification until a late hour in the evening.

It is both gratifying and edifying to see the ardor with which the Americans at this distance celebrate their country’s freedom, and the generous rivalry which the subjects of other nations display in promoting the festivities of that auspicious day.

When men of different races unite in commemorating an event of great moment to mankind at large, as the Declaration of American Independence undoubtedly is, it serves to break down invidious national distinctions and false prejudices. He who would narrow the bounds of national intercourse to promote selfish designs, is the common enemy of mankind, and deserves himself that pernicious isolation to which he would doom others.

But it is gratifying to know that in this place, the general feeling of that of open conviviality, which has ever attended this fete, of all nations without distinction, in these islands.