The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-11-20
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 90.

~ AA-'LI6 4 ' ~
OUR foreign papers by the Emerald bring
further news regarding the effects of the Presi-
dents Emancipation Proclamation. That it
would have some marked effect, both through
the North and South, all anticipated. 1t will
doubtless prove one of the most important docu-
ments ever issued by any Sovereign. The
Magma Charta signed by King John in 1915,
and the Habeas Corpus Act given by Charles
in 1879, were not more important in their results
TO England, and through her to the peace and
civilization Of the whole world, than will be the
Decree of President Lincoln on the future of
slavery, not simply in the United States, but
throughout the world. An cdict that may even
tually lead to the liberation of four millions of
slaves, and the consequent abrOgation or destrus-
ton of $500, 900 900 invested in them, could
not fall ~liStlessly on q nation of thirty millions
of people.
The report brought by the Yankee mail. that
the proclamation had met with general approval
at the North, is by no means correct. The later
news and papers received, indicate that it is
destined to excite the North as we'll as the
South and it may be that its PRONUNCIATION has
been premature. Had an earthquake shaken
the land from Cape Cod to the Mississippi, pub
TIC attention WOhlu not nave Drtli more thorough
" aroused by such an event, than it has or
will be by this Emancipation Edict. What its
effect may be no one can anticipate. 1t may
result in creating a general revolt throughout
the South, of the slaves against their masters,
rs their masters have revOlted against the gov
eminent, carrying devastation, ruin and slaugh-
ter with it. At the North. it may suddenly
bring into power as powerful a party opposed
TO its being carried out, Is has ever ruled the
Union. Not that such q party viii be created
to stop the war, but rather to carry it on with
out the threatened carnage that may result
from the Edict.
y majority of the people of the North would
to-day rather see the slaves emancipated, as a
war measure, if 1t could be done without 4 gene
raj massacre of the SouJherners but 1T the same
time a majority of the North would rather the
measure would not be tried, if only such result
accompanied it. From the papers already %receiy-
ed, 1t Is evident that the emancipation proclama-
ton is resuscuating and giving life 10 the Demo
cratic party, the object of which is 70, thwart
its enactment. 1t is not a law, nor can Ftecome
such till acted on by Congress. If approved Of
by that body, it Will become 4 law if in the
mean time, public opinion becomes changed in
regard to Its proprIety, II may be frustrated or
postponed to an indefinite future period, even
though the republican party may have a major
ity in Congress. No party can safely enact
laws contrary To public opinion.
That the republican press should generally
approve the proclamation is not TO be wondered
at for the abolition or radical section of it has
long sought it. while the conservative section
has looked on 1t as an inevitable result of the
rebellion necessary war measure, TO be resort
ed to ut some period, though many doubted
might prove to be the most proper time.
1t is needless TO give any extracts from these
papers. as there is much unauimity and rejoicing