Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1862-02-08
Ghe polplresian,
FOREIGN GLEANINGS.
From the "COurrier des Etats Unis,'' November 2I
The Rond We Have Passed Over.

From the "COurrer des EtatS Cnis.," November 81
The Road We Have Passed Over.
Revolutions march quick, and once started they
drag with them those who strong enough to TO-
ment and set them loose unable stop their chariot
wheels. We have had plenty examples of this in the
Old World but there, least, every revolution, hav
ing been accompanied with heeting and unavoidable
evils, left an heritage of permanent good-a progress
acquired for pOsterlty. In the New World, which
hitherto has had the wisdom to take from Europe
only its most liberal institutions and its spirit OF enght
ened civilization, it is difficult to say whether the
volutiOnary PERIOD in which it has so imprudently
thrown ITSELF will produce anything good in the future.
Without seeking to discover what this future may re-
serve for US, without pronOuncing any judgment
on the facts which we have witnessed, We will attempt
to unro before readers the picture of the year
passed. leaving to them the free and full appreciation Of
the facts 1t is useful sometimes to overhaul pastevents
IN order to grasp their whoeness The fever OF novel
ties which possesses the Americans prevents them from
looking at things syntnetcay, and the grand emotion
of yesterday is eaced by the expectation Of the
emotion of to- morrow. Hence arises great evil be-
cause many facts, which shall appear Of first import
ance to future hstOrns, too soon forgotten, ana
some fine day stands asonished at the consequen
they had engendered but then it is too late
turn, and condition of things is forced upon
ceptance, the very possibility whereof had not been
contemplated some time before.
1t year since the secession fever manifested
ITSELF Which people so long time refused to believe in.
The most confident spoke of handful of ringeaders
whom detachment of police agents would be sufficient
to secure. The aarmists-those who then believed in
secession and to-day the hottest advocates Of an
uncompromising war-found their advantage in this
event, and were not far from rejoicing it. How
many times have we not read in the columns of the
Tribune, that separation a benefit and that the
Union would at last be rid of the of the 'pecuiar
institution That journal and its party were then far
distant from the rrepressibe conflict of Mr. Seward.
"They co. said every morning the Republican
Journal" very WE'LL let them 60, and good riddance "
Events, however, marched quicker than had been
foreseen. The message of Mr.. Buchanan, one month
after the election of Mr.. Lincoln, threw light upon
nohing-did not look the question in the face. and
made the Government despsed by both parties. Fifteen
days afterwards the convention at Charleston pro-
nounced the secession of South Carolina.
What most should have struck the observers of the
first period after the election of Mr.. Lincoln. the
mOnstTous Indifference of the Northern people in the
face of the madness which mutilated their country.
Every week, every day, every hour, the telegraph
brought some important news, but no one disquieted
himself account of and it would be rather hazard
Gus to say whether that feeling sprung from conf
denee rather from Indifference. After the secession
of Mississippi Georgia, Florida and Alabama, after
that of South Carolina, the North continued to saw, if
not to think that 1t 'c0ld amount to nothing; and the
day before the convention at Baton Rouge passed the
secession ordinance of louisiana the New York jour
nails said thai long Louisiana did not join the
Gulf States, the secession was but joke (plasantere)
that South Carolina and her prodigal sisters were spoiled
children, who must amuse themselves with their rattle,
and that Louisiana, understanding we'll her own in
teres would remain eteTnay faithful to the Union.
The resolution of the Louisiana convention did in
way alarm such minds They smiled when the Charles
tonians had fired a steamer bearing the Star
Spsngled Banner, and were not far from regarding
then, charming pastime, what afterward, at Fort
Sumter, beca me an unatonable outrage. They could
no longer count the wisdom of Louisiana, but they
manufactured another sheet for the safety
of the country Wait till the Inauguration of the
President the word from every mouth. The 4th
of March will the affairs cleared up. Mr. Lincoln
himself in his great journey from Springfield to Wash
ngton manifested the greatest confidence and most en-
tire security. At Indianapolis, Albany, New York and
Philadelphia, his addresses showed that he shared in
the repOse and the of the most part of his fellow
citizens Like them, he did not believe or appeared
not to believe, that secession had any root AT Bat
more however, he ought to have begun to change his
opinion The story of plot against his life or his lib
erty has been well cleared up, but the actual at
ttude of Maryland makes it, if not evident, at least
probable.
Meanwhile came The day of Inauguration. At a time
when everything was points of fact the message of Mr.
Lincoln discussed only points of right. Everything was
still in question, but that reason for believing
in the danger. The people put their trust in the con-
ference of the Border States, relied the wisdom "
Virginia. and appealed to that chivalrous spirit which
later threw that very State precisely into the arms of
the opposite party.
Finally, the bombardment and taking of Fort Sum
% came KNOWN, anu Inen
the revolutionary period par excellence. The President
ordered the raising of $4,000 volunteers, and pro-
claimed on his own authority the blockade of the
Southern ports. Men hOcked in crowds under the
national banner, and those who did not in the
remedy for all the evils those who bad always point
ed out the danger to the American people, those who
had ncessanty striyen to open their eyes to the prec
pice which they rushIng-they were the most
threatened by the who had laughed at their pre-
dctOns had openly reOced over the course OF events
L,Ia lvtth
ing pleasure the withdrawal of the gangeed members
of the Union showed itself the most eager to preach the
war and the indignation by force of the refractory
States The Herald, avowed defender of the South,
fearing the mob in its turn, showed itself the most bitter
against its yesterday friends and sung It's recanaton
with that reckless mpudence which deprves the jour
nalist of all dignity and his word of all authority.
The President himself seemed to feel the rebound of
the violent reaction which was working through the
public mind. By character a of moderation, he
had first extreme measures. BY profess
sion of the law. standing too much perhaps on
the letter and the platform of the Constitution he did
hesitate act without powers, content to cause his
be approved thereafter by Congress, and to re-
py with Marius that Sc the noise Of arms had prevent
ed him from hearing the voice of the law From that
moment it could be foreseen that everything was
changed in the United States and that revolution
going to take place in the very morals and usages |
(moeurs) of the nation.
Congress which met on the 4th of july only served
sanction with docity the laws which were presented
10 it. The feelings awakened by the Bull Run disas-
er only made it vote promptly the men aud the |
credits required Gift
In the meanwhile the South had united with force
If cohesion which it not supposed TO possess. Ar
KANSAS Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee joined
heir sisters of the Gulf. The Governor and Legisa-
ure OF Missouri declared for the Richmond Government,
undecided Maryland was hostlle-wit-
he's the Baltimore riots. The energy of Mr. Davis
anne up to the energy of Mr.. Lincoln, and family
yar-the most terrible Of wars-was thoroughly
cred upon with that bitterness which belongs only to
ivil strifes.
The Northern Government had at first the misfortune
o only fix its choice on incapable Generals Pat
erson Pierce and Mcdowell evidences of that fact
But the checks it received the battlefield the
more it hardened itself against the feeble opposition