The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-10-16

they cannot be other than of the most import
ant nature on the future of the American
Republic. 1t may be followed by Immediate,
certain and permanent separation between the
north and the south. or it may hasten the sup
preston of the rebellion. by exciting the rebels
TO such n desperation rs to react to their own
destruction, and the total extinction of slavery
in America.
The President has held back as firmly and as
long as it has been possible for him but the
fact shat the proclamation OF emancipation is
now issued is evidence that he is satisfied that it
is a step that as necessary to preserre tie UniOR.
Nine months ago, this Journal stated as n result
of its observation of the current of public opin-
ion throughout the North, that if the rebellion
continued to the close of 1862, Il proclamation of
emancipation would become n military necessity.
The law of self-defense is the highest law known
on earth. The man who refrains from using
all means of self-defense in his power, when
attacked with weapons of death by a midnight
assassin or robber, ION the plea that he is a
peace man. deserves to be robbed or butchered.
So with a nation. Any government which fails
to use erery means in its power TO preserve its
national integrity, when threatened with dis
memberment, is unworthy of existence. This is
the position of the American Republic at this
moment and no law, human or divine, no con-
s%titution of any kind or nature, should be
allowed to stand in the way of the natural law
of self preservation.
The first question that will be asked, is, What
will be the effect of the proclamation on the
slaves? While it must be admitted that the
authority of the government does not extend
over any rebel territory, except nominally, yet
it will not for that reason alone be powerless
there. Before the first of January, 1868, when
the decree goes into effect, the mass of the slaves
will know that by a proclamation of the govern-
ment they are legally free. This must lead to
discontentment, which will everywhere develope
itself, till finally, rs in the case of the enslaved
lsaelites in Egypt, their masters will fain have
them depart.
But the greatest result of the procls9ation will
be this,-that a decisive policy is adopted by the
American government. The question for the
is now reduced to this, slavery and trea-
son, or loyalty and freedom. Heretofore there
has been any amount of skulking by partizans
;yrnpathizing with slavery and the rebellion,
under the plea of its being unconstitutional to
neddle with slavery. There is to be an end to
his and the man who hencefOrward stands up
or slavery because of the constitution, is 4 trail
or to his country. lie had better fOrswear his
country and sell his birthright.
All Europe has been haunting America for its
on this slavery question. The procla-
will meet the unqualified approval of the
masses in Europe, and at the same time disarm
he politicians there of their strongest argument
n favor of a recognition of the South. There
ill be no recognition or Intervention in favor
{ the south at present.
The coming few months will be the most i'm
ortant and the most stirring of the rebellion.
he proclamation will excite the desperation of
lie rebel leaders to its highest pitch, and the
5ht will be accompanied with an energy and i
rribleness not yet witnessed. Undoubtedly the
ext six months will witness either the triumph -
the government, or the triumph of the rebels. y,
he enormous efforts now being made by both
e cOntending parties to increase their fighting {
sources, must soon reach their limit, beyond {
hich they cannot go and one or the other (
succumb, or acknowledge the contest use =
This can only be the rebels.