ROBERT BURNS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1923, Page 4

ROBERT BURNS.

the memorial unveiled. HOKITIKA’S FINE TRIBUTE After :i. heavy night’s rain a fine day presented itself yesterday, the weather breaking about 8 a.m. and the rest of the day being gloriously lino when the statue of Robert Burns was unveiled on Cass Square. Promptly at 11.30 a.m. the processioft marched up Hovel 1 St. headed by the Town Band and Kilties Band, both in turn playing inspiring music. There was a brave display of Highlanders in full costume, headed by Chief Davidson and a number of visitors from other parts of the district. Arriving at Cass Square the procession halted and the combined choir mounted the plaform erected close to the statue, which was veiled with a Scottish flag. The proceedings opened with the song “Annie Laurie.” Chief Davidson of the West Coast Caledonian Society, who ahly presided, stated thev were there to commemorate the unveiling of the statue ol Hubert [turns. They were favoured with the presence ol I fou .James ■( taigie of limaru that day, than whom there was no greater authority of the poet in the Dominion, He had given lectures o/i t-lus "rout hard in 29 towns nml on pt occasions. On this occasion he was pleased to have Mr Craigie present to unveil the statue, which lie Imped to help to perpetuate the memory of the Scottish hard. .Mr Craigie had been for 11 years the Mayor of Timaru and for 1-1 years in Parliament, and main local bodies He also took the opportunity to congratulate Mr Craigie on his recent elevation to the Upper House. (Applause). Chief Davidson made apologies lor absence of .Mr AY. H. Parfitt, (Mayor of (Ireymoutli), Sir H. bander. Mr .1. O’Brien ALP., and also read telegrams | of good wishes from kindred societies I in ( liristeluireh and Dunedin.

Tlmse present on the platform included the several speakers and the Hons. 11. L. Michel, and .1. Crimmoiul. M’s.L.C.. and Mr and Mrs W. Patrick. HON •). CHAIM I It’S ADDHESS.

Hon James Craigie. M. 1,.( •• who was received with applause said ii was unnecessary to say that it gave him great pleasure to he with them on this historic occasion, lie was proud of having the honor to ho invited to address this large assemblage. At bile he was deeply conscious of that honour, he was also deeply conscious that he would very inadequately lav belore them the great sentiment Ll l :it brings them here. To speak fittingly on Burns or to portray his genius, to say anything that has not already been said, would demand the tongue or pen of a genius

not unequal to bis own. To use- bis own words: “Sic- lliglits are lar bevond my power. - ’ But there is one thing that lie could do. and did. he came with a warm and grateful heart, to speak, however, feebly, of the- mail, the patriot, and the poet, lie wished to congratulate the town of Hokitika „u having such a fine statue. He v.as ,ib nscd to see that (lay his venerable friend Air AVm Patrick, who had given such a noble donation and he lmoed he would he able to walk in Cass .Square for mane a year and enjoy the sight of the handsome statue erected here. This is the third statue of Burns erected in the South Island, but he had knowledge that the number will be increased in the not distant future. Me

have nut, and cannot have too many statues oi Burns. It is iel i ashing and inspiring in these materialistic and pleasure-loving times to see statues erected to one who sang so far in advance of his day- of to w hose heart ti rilled for the downtrodden and the sorrowful, and to one who vehemently asserted that “A man’s a man lor a that.” , , More statues have been erected to Hu- memory of Burns than to mi)

oilier man who has lived on this earth. They arc l;> be found not only in Ins native bind, but. in England, i.'i I rebind. in Canada, in the great j’epid’!ii. *-i I"' United State* ol America, n iim east to west, and in Australia. ■[■],, ~ nr.ad throughout the English': peaking world. Statues am! monuments have even been erected to ~ili,i- of the women whom lie immortalised ill Ins love songs. When the grave of Alary Campbell, his “Highland Alarv" whose- rc-tii.g place had to be .list orbed for the construction of some- !-,,.. dmk works on the Clyde, was opened, her dust and the full (OnLoits of her grave were reverently reburied, and a. nrniuin: lit erected on the hanks of the Ayr—the. spot where, according u Ids immortal ode. “L> Alary in Heaven.” and Id- beautiful son g“Highland Alary.” they spent their la-t Sabbath together, a* they never met in this world again, lie could not refrain from quoting some ol these tender lines :

Ifo’.v sweetly bloom'd the gay. .g UM tnrti. , , Hcvv rich the hawthorn * blossom ,\s underneath their fragrant shade. r clasp’d her to my hosriti; Th.e golden hours mi angel w’.ig*. |.'ie,v o’er me and my dean-,’: For dear to me. its light and I I'-'. AYas mv sweet- Highland Ma'y.

AYi’ many a, vow, and lock d em'irane. Our [larting was In' tend'-r; And. pledging aft to IIK ' l -t C-t-'-'", AA'e tore oursel’s asuadar ; But O, fell Death’s untimely frost. That nipt my (lower site early ! Now green’s the sod. and naiilds t ie clay That wraps my Highland Alary.

0 oale, pale now. those rosy l:ps. 1 afl line kiss'd sue fondly. And clos’d for aye, the sparkling glance That dwelt on me sac- kindly ; And mouldering now in silent dust. That heart that lo’cd me dearly. l?iit still within my bosom's tore Shall live ill” Highland Mary. The “Auld Brie „f Ayr” was <vmdoimied liv the authorities to he demolished as unsafe. The admirers of th" poet throughout the world rose up and said: “That Brie must not poriAi ” for the reason that Burns had written that unique poem, n dinlogm? between tho Auld and the New Brigs. Ample money was subscribed to have it restored. Some enthusiasts deflated that if the material renuired to reinforce it had to he of the precious metal itself it would have been found. I n such tributes ever paid to any otn i poet nncieuL or modern? Ihe thatched cottage of his birth has been, saued for the people of the woild. Tens ol thousands, aye. tens of tens ... Ih - sands yearlv visit tins lowly «' . eomiinr from all parts of the woi d. T o dingy house at Dumfries where o spent his last, years, and wlcio he died, has been saved for the people of a lands. Tho dwelling where he and Jean Armour-Ids “Bonnie Joan - took up house after marriage, In t been saved for the public Many other things have been done. but tinit will not permit me to enumerate he . yfanv of the poems and songs. ,n i own ’ handwriting, have men as precious trea.su its iui prices; many of them have K''' K , America. Many of Burns great and Post elocpient admirers, he f'umd. nic educated Americans, Ihe nimmisniy of his birth is celebrated throughout the Knglisli-spenking world in nrr only second to that of the m of the world. TTe was safe ... snyu.g that Ids name is dearer to more licaitthan that of any other except Him who was born in a manger and died t-n.t we might live. There is no parallel m the history of literature where a. poet is so universally known and loved. It might well be asked, and a should be asked: WMi.it is the secret n tauniversal love and admiration for the man whom this statue represents Philosophers tell us that tot cu • effect there must, be a cause. Burns' case it might well suit ph> - sophy to tell us why this statement i<o universal. Ho put n. tho forofio.it that one of the greatest reasons v . the love for Burns is so world-wide and whv he has a home in the heaits of s maiiv millions of men and women is his broad humanity. Burns. syntp.thic arc- universal. H,s action extern to all living creatures Burns possessed the true spirit of Christianity . 1 held the true Christian henry -f tue Brotherhood of Man, and lunge. > the time “when man to man t ■<' « 1 . o’er shall brothers he and a that. J appear to have a long long wav to g > before that noble inspiration is ie.lised. Let us hope wo arc getting neat- - I er.

Burns’ address ,to the "Unco Guid” breathes the spirit of Christ, and shows his wonderful insight into human na- c tiirc. They are the greatest plea for c human charity ever uttered. ’ Then gently scan your brother man, . Still gentler sister woman; ’ , T’ho’ they gang a kennin’ wrnng, To step asido is human. One point must still he greatly dark j The reason why they do it; j And just ns lamely can y'o mark How far, perhaps, they rue it. Who mado the heart, ’tis he alone Decidedly can try us; He knows each chord, its various tones, Kneh spring’its various bias: Then at the balance let’s he mute, AVc never can adjust it; AVlint’s done we partly may compute, But know not what’s resisted, Tu his poem, “Advice to a Voting Friend,” he reveals deep practical wisdom. and in one verse has a sympathetic plea for the unfortunate who has been a failure in the eyes of the world— A'et they wlut fa’ in fortune’s strife. Their fate we should no censure, For still the important end of life, Thev equally may answer. A man may hao an honest heart, Tho’ poverty hourly stare him; A man may tali’ a noelfbr’s part, A'et line line cash to spare him. AA’hy. the man’s sympathy and ciiaiity, extend even to the great- black devil. Tn his address “To tho De. ii, with its humour and seareasni and banter, he gives hi* Satanic Alajcsti a bad time. 'Still, with pity he takes leave of him thus: — But fare von week auld N'iekie-Bcn : (). wad ye tali’ a thought an’ men’. Ye ahiens might—l diiina ken- • Still hr.’e a stake: I'm wae to think upon you den, Ev’n for your sake. What understanding and kindness is - displayed in that simple little song. “John Anderson. AI y Jo.” How ui idle and teiulerlv he depicts the afloe- . t'iu.l of an old couple at the end of life That song is worth hundreds ol our modern hooks. AYliat man or child i mild be cruel to dumb animals a ltd readine “The AYounded Hare,” “I he • Farmer’s New Year Greeting to Ins Auld Afaro, Maggie. The Little 1' icld Mouse,” that he disturbs with his ■ plough, and which he calls “his earthborn companion and iellow mortal, ’ “The Twa. Dogs,” tiis pet ewe's dying - words, and many others? As lie sits - bv bis .siiiokv fireside on “A AA inter s ' NT-lit ” he tells us in that poem how • i,..'"feels for the dumb animal* exposed to the terrible element*. 1 l.ist’uing the doors an’ winnoeks rattle, . I thought me on the (nine cattle ? Ur sillv sheep, wlia hide this brattle (.)’ winter war. Ilk hap[iing bird, wee helpless thing. That, in the merry months o' spring ' Delighted me to hear thee sing, j What comes o’ thee? Wliarc wilt thou (ow’r thy ehitteriiig wing, And close thy e’e'r

Trulv, Burns is an educator of the heart. He would pass from this phase „f his writings, repeating that Burn,’ tender hearted utterances are the secret of the hold he lum over so many hearts. The affection in which he is so universally held is only the rotk’x of ris own kindness of heart. We all know of tho manly, independent spirit which bi-rallies through Ins VU-C. Though he was poor-and we are told that his shoulders were prematurely stooped with toil—yet he stood in Hie presence of noblemen., w it* and scholars and more than held his own. They wlm follow Burns in his honest, sincere, manly independence will be too proud to suffer oppression, and have a contempt for whatever bears the ap-p-a ranee of servility or meanness. Burns demanded that conditions should prevail wherein manhood should have free iilav. wherein a man should he a man. mid Burns achieved that. Great I bine’s have been done by tile r.ivord : mi.dVt ha* too often triumphed over right. Great things are expected to be done in these modern days hv the ballot box. But a great thing has beer, doneshall I say. by the lilt of a song willed |,;is been sung-and read throughout the world these last hundred year*. Demoleapt forth at the pulilieatem ol that song—“A Man’s a Alan I" 1 ’ ” That.” Before Burns' day hooks had beeil publiJa don ”Soi ,’.([ UO 1 1 1 s • , n d the “Right- of Mail,’’ but, Burns was the first great pnel. the livst man power U, assert that “a man s a. man.” and that (hot “rank is but the ,v,iinca’s stamp, the man’s the gmvil lor ip Unit.", it i* ihe sum: »f He made no ar.nlogv for repeating stnno „|-'those linhle words. A man, however weak, should walk more erect since Burns jieiluned those hues.

What tls niw.il (ill fun- wi' diw, Wi‘3 l liuddcli 11 C"y. an' a’ tlisit ■* (:ji• f 0 „ls tlicit silks, ami knaves their ft i IH‘. A man's a man for r' tliat. For ,V that, and a’ that. Their tinsel shi v.-, an' a’ that. The holiest man, tho’ e'er sue tmor. is king o' lat'ii for n’ that. Ye see you hirdio ca'd a lord, Whit strut', no' •"*’ that : The’ hundreds worship at his word. 11,.'s hut a etiol’ for a' that. ;.'ov a’ that, an’ a’ that. His rihiuid. star, an’ a’ that. The man o’ independent mind He looks an' laughs at. r.' that. A prime run make a belted knight, A mnn|iiis. duke, an’ a’ that ; Tint an honest man’s ahuon his might. (Inidi! faith, he mamma fa’ that 1 For a,’ that, tut’ a’ that, Their dignities an’ a’ that, The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth. Are higher rank than a’ that. Emerson. America's great tUinkor, s-id :f Burns.’ songs of independence: “Not Latimer, not Luther, .struck more telling blows against false theology than did this brave singer. The Confession of Augsburg, the American Declaration of Independence, the trench ‘Rights of Alan,’ the ‘.Marseillaise,’ are not more weighty documents m the History of Freedom than the songs ot Burns.” Burns has done more for the democracy of the world than any other singer or writer of whom he knew. Bums was a great patriot. He dearie loved his native land. But it was no narrow minded love of country \vk him. lie loved his country for its wonderful history—the history of a small people ill the unequal struggle to maintain its independence against its more numerous richer and more powerful neighbour, which she did. Burns ft as the true patriot. His hunting ambition was to achieve something to bring honoui to his country; and surely he succeeded beyond his 'ambition. In that spirit he sang the well-known lines recalling his voniliful aspirations when m his teens, working in the harvest field:

n then a wish I mind its power A wish that to my latest hour Shall strongly heave my breast, That 1 for puir nuld Scotland’s sake. Some use-ill' plan or bank could make. Or sing a song at least. The rough hnr-thistle spreading wide Aiming tho hc-nrded hear. I turned tho weeding-hcnlc aside. A:y spar’d the symbol dear; No nation, no station, Mv envy e’er could raise. A. Scot ".still, but blot still, i knew nne higher praise. He left us tho greatest war song that ever written, a smg fitted to regenerate and ennobles any nation or people:— PVha. for Scotland's king and law. Freedom's sword will strongly draw : Freeman stand, or freeman fa’, Let him follow mo: 1 ny the proud usurpers left', Tv rants fall in every foe, Liberty’s -in every blow— Let us do or die.

Burns is said to he the world s greatest song writer. Carlyle said it would h„ difficult to find one worthy o! being classed second. Tennyson said: “Lead Burns’ exquisite songs. In shape, they have the perfection of the berry, .or li'dit, they have the radiance « the dewdrop.” . •. Iu his capacity as a song fti.tci Burns lias dono more to elevate the hearts and minds of the Scottish people

iian any reformer who ever lived. One as only to read some of the collections E f popular songs at tho time Burns j. ante on tho scene to realise what y [urns has done. The gross, impure übhisli of other days was replaced l>y ompositioiis of the truest genius,, ,-liieh have refined the hearts ot the I •eople to a. degree difficult to estimate, p jurns was not only a great gift to Scot- , and, but to mankind. Burns’ patriot- { sill gave Scotland a new nationality. In. he Great War Burns’’ songs and verse j vero worth a thousand recruiting offi■ers In his last years Burns was lookal upon hv the timid with suspicion for ,is political views, because he expressed wmpathv with the French people, who ■ rose ui> against the privileged few and ; asserted "heir rights-tha-t assertion ending in the -French revolution. He nKo had a leaning lor the Amiiig Lepuhlie of the United States hut w e the British Tales were threatened bt a , lu .|, invasion. Burns showed tuat lu was true to his King and the Bntish Constitution. He joined up as a volunteer. and provided hi- own umfo.m out of his ten slender and flaccid purse. He did more. He published a B;'t>’'.»tn since, entitled “Does Haughty Man T - vasion Threat-” which had a gieat influence then and has bad ever since m the defence of the British Isles. To might repeat the hist verse of that spirited song: j The wretch that wad a tyrant own. And. the wretch In* In,caw on. brother. , AA’hiit wad set the mob aboon the throne. Alav they he damn’d together;^ AYba. will net sing “God Sate - a King,” , , , Shall bang as high's the Heeple; And while we sing “Mod Save tin King.” We’li ne’er forget the piopli. Tho poet with his high ideal*, aspirations and vision, far outstrips the politician or the statesman, but m the end— it might he a decade or tens m decades these aspirations ultim.uel) Teach the Statute Book. Now let us consider Burns influence —his l-ower—his guiding unru--in perhaps the narrow sense, lbe teliigont voting Scot who leaves Ins native land for one of the T.mp'.re s d - minions beyond the seas, (anus w him no doubt the characteristics ol ho race. He goes imbued more or less with the writings and teaching-, " Burns —the literature and sung of thi country of his birth. He set h>s, establishing a household, and slmuhhis bis portion of citizenship, publicly or privately. The teachings of Burns peibaps inicoiisi iously. have heeonie P-n of his mental and moral (dire. I his in duo time, is passed cm to his sons and daiuditers. who in turn play their pait „« citizens in building up the young nation in the true spirit ol Burns humanity. patriotism and independence in short, equal opportunity lor all. lie had only mentioned some ol tin leading features and characteristics ot Burn--’ writings, containing, shall o sav his mission to the world. I mi’-’ ' |M not permit me to dwell longer on this fascinating theme. But lie must remind veu how Burns, with his umn.iabie runniroiis. IJtiug satire attacked and reformed tin- religious forms and hypocrisies of his day at in other man did reoold do. AYo must also reniemiwi I,ls extraordinary gifts ol expression. His lines are vivid puturis v.Hli toe Inillimicy a lit l bivvity of :• N j vi-a-. muv writ*-' i» riHi :**?• * ,ll( ratios may exhaust tlieir , Toque,m vain efforts tv coiieev to us what Lm us ~fi I■ 11 does in line lino with such p:,v. el ,|„:i i. bceom-s fixed in ouj’ hi'auis and remains iumu.- alile while lile lasts. It is impossible to en-eivo how iiiuclj p-ni.rer the world would be to-dnv had Burns never lived. Had lbe wc.rW sul[.red lhat deprivation it wiuihl li.im pop- indeed. The loss to litmo u-re am! hunumiiy would have been bevo1„I iln- power of tin- thinker and I'Otorimi io estimate on the mataemali- , inn to caieulaii*. T he voice of till- mail that thm niaiM-. represents “has name ringing throng! the court:* of lime these hundred .\euri and more; and is far biudei a' |, l ’• j clearer now than when it first hroKe m I tin- ear i.f man.” ( Applau-e). j THE STATUF. UNVEILED. 1 Inn. Mr Craigie then said it va.- ! with great pleasure he unveiled the I .sin UK- V. it Ii the be-'- Wishes (art J j sliould stand them for ii'iitunos. Ii j is a great gift to Hokitika it was < of art. ll was a tribute to then j|| ua: auoiher exampin of tlieir loyalj iv an-.l Until. | The ll;g ll.ud etnered tho Hatm then antlered to the giom;:l and the handsome statue stood revealed. The choir then sang ” there was : lad was lan n in Kyle.” A collection in aid ni the Akvmoria was then taken up. RFC. ('ll A UTERI-” ADDRESS. Rev. Chatteris in the coarse of : humorous address said that Svr.Umei uci-e a eenaia mid a can tie. in lot. lit

asked them to I car v. itii him. a par.-on. and a piper. I hey mol to-day to he ;c i.tde partial. 'the subject I )-da\ vins a great mail, and he had halotl tee parsoiis. Liighiiid had produced some of tlie Test men of the ft oriel, men of light and learning, hut it could safety he eiaiiuad that Scotland had dsn had her -Imre: and one of their noblest was llnhei't Burns. He was a man ■lining men, a man with a mighty humane heart, and one cil the greatest poets of the earth. He ft'ii« <1 Die kindliest, and the lustre' of his love ior men and women stood nui in the lite of this gical man. He was m.t only it great poet, but lie was also a gieat j : l'c (| die *t. Our ii.ilimud poet was t e product of the plow, nature had produced him. His works would live for

ever, he was now recognised r.x one ul the greatest poets of t.ocls cnuili. THE MAYOR’H ADDRESS. Mi- (!. A. Ferry (Mayor of Hokitika) said on an occasion such as this it was difficult tor him to express his feelings as he was not tv Scotsman. Without being of that nationality he had been able to appreciate Burns’ poems. The claims made of the ellect of his work had keen fully tie*cited.

r |Tu> erection of this monument was a worthy tribute to a great man. I!.’ took the occasion to congratulate Mr Crnigie on his elevation to the l M or House and to extend a welcome also L> Rev. Chatteris. Tho town vahonored bv the erection of the hue memorial, and on h.ehali ol the (, ii wms he accepted it and ft nuld. sec that it was kept in good order. The Choir then sang “The Banks of T)oou.” I’RKSE-Vr ATIOFS. Chief Daviodson then referred to the manner in which tho nu i e.i.c had been started and refened to tb. splendid donation given by Air \\ iliunn Patrick. Thcv desired to recognise the patriotism of' Air Fatrick. and svs.lted his acceptance of a large trained pilot ) of the statue unveiled that day. H was not until Air D. J. Evans had taken the secretaryship, that Diet were able to push on and he assured they would raise the amount required. Their grateful thanks were due to Air Evans for his able assistance. Thanks wore al-o do to Mr C’raigic who f had visited Hokitika on two other man-

sions to lecture on Burns. He thi.nh,ul all who had assisted with suhscriptions. thanks to Air AVnite and the Choir, the Town Band and Pipe Band, and all others who had assisted. He then asked AH Patrick to accept the handsome photo by way of a kind memento.

Air Patrick expressed llis surpric and pleasure at- the handsome f-'-t----which he deeply appreciated and he regretted that he was unable to move fully voice his thanks. Chief Davidson said he na.d another presentation to make. The West (-n-t Caledonian Society in appreciation of what Air D. J. Evans had done in connection with the Memorial had decided co elect Air Evans a life honorary member of the Society. As chief of tile Society ho wished liim long Ike, then pinning on his coat the emblem of membership and piesenting a handsome framed certificate ceitifying that be should be known in future as AfcEvans (applause).

Mr D. J. 'Evans said lie stood in n new role before the,an. Ho thanked the West Coast Caledonian Society very heartily for the honor they had done him. Ho assured them he had done very little. All had helped very freely in the object in view. Me congratulated the town on getting the line memorial. Jle appreciated* how the people gave generously. They all -.should do more for the town and so help themselves generally. He thanked them for their generous interest in the monument and trusted all would take an added interest in Cass Square which was becoming such a beauty spot and such a valuable adjunct to the town.

The closing chorus. Auld Lang Sync, and the National Anthem then eoneluded a very lilting ceremony. THK LUNCHEON. An adjournment "as then made to St. Andrew’s Hull whore the Caledonian Society entertained the visitors and supporters at a dainty luncheon. Lady mouthers had arranged a dainty, hut plentiful supply of eatables and tlie many tables that lined the hall were filled, the attendance numbering over 200. After the appetites had been satisfied. Chief Davidson. who presided opened a short toast list with ■‘The King” which was duly honoured. Ho then proposed the toast 01 Hon. J. Craigie, ALli.C 1 ., tribnting the valued a-sistmne given that day. and in (/.her corn - ions. lion. J . Craigie. Siii l Mll y replied. An- l>. Kvntis proposed ■‘The A i.-i----tors” to which ( hit f I). Mel.cm (Gtvyinon th), TaUei'son (Hccfton). and S u dden (i'Shekhall) replied.. Aliss Davidson and Airs Howe render;- 1 a duet. Air Currie a soh>. Master Cul'cu two re.-if.itions, and lour lassies danced a reel. The work of the holies committee in providing the luncheon was ae!;nowledged i with hearty cheers and the proceedings closed at 3 o’clock with the singing of Auld Lung Syne and the National Anthem.