The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-03-13
A Secessiou Fln. Hauled Down.

The public were startled last Saturday by the
announcement in the P0lynesiGn, that it had
ceased to be Secesh. and intended to become a
good, Union-loving sheet. And then il goes on III
. a half column of apologizing, after reading which
one is puzzled to know what he does think. The
editor Of the Poiynesidn for months has not hest
tated TO avow on the street, the warmest sympa-
thy for the rebel fre-eaters Of the South, because
be once happened to sojourn at Charleston, or in
some of the blockaded rat-holes of that neighbor-
hood, long enough to say be had seen a live slave
and discovered the beauty of Southern slavery.
Only now, when the Union cause is triumph
ant, and victory after victory is recorded with
almost incredible r%apidity, does he dare to come
out and disavow his position of hostility 10 the
American Government. He calls on US to "back
up our assertion by a line or a word, wherein ne
has expressed appreciation of the enterprise or
sympathy with the success of the Southern
States We will reply in Yankee style, by
asking him when he has ever inserted ga line
or 4 word" in (aror of the Union cause? If he
has done it, nobody knows of it; on the con-
trary, the worst coloring has invariably been
given, and every base inuen3o thrown out against
the Union cause and Lincoln administration
while every false rumor favorable to the rebels
has been trumpeted as fact. 1t is time that the
rebel flag over the PolyneSiaR is hauled down,
when the rebels themselves are hauling it down
and surrendering their arms. lt is perfectly safe
for it nouC to show Union colors in Honolulu,
and beg the patronage of the Union men here.
The truth is, the Polynesian, ever since the re-
belliou broke out, has been "on the fence
its sympathies with the rebels, but it has not
dared to speak openly. And it pursues the same
course on most subjects, seldom speaking out I'M
equivocally concerning anybody or any class,
eroept1ng only the american Missionaries. Re-
garding them there is no doubt how it feels,
thinks and acts. for it allows no opportunity TO
slip to traduce, villify and abuse them, with or
without cause, and would even roast them, if it
knew how.
We should not have taken the trouble to notice
its remarks to 80 whom it may concern" were
not the public pretty generally ' concerned in
the matter. 1t admits reluctantly that the news
was very important, but failed to find it out until
it sees all the rebel flags struck. It's marvellous
what n change comes over some peoples vision
when great victories occur. After reading though
its poor apology, and noticing its crocodile tears,
one is left to no alternative, in looking for 4 rea-
son for the non-issuing of an extra, but to assign
that given by US, notwithstanding the disayowal
made by it. Still, as the POLynesian has, at the
eleventh hour, thrown off the mask, and avows
itself openly for the Union, we will cheerfully
give it credence SO long as it adheres to its resolve.
In concluding its apology, the POlynesian tries
to make out an attempt on our part q to insult
foreigners resident here, in commenting on Euro
pean affairs. It's a very narrow and niggardly
mind that can put such q construction on our
remarks. The idea thrown out was taken from
an English paper, which declared that it was not
prudent for England to enter on a war with
America without the support or cooperation of
France. The Polynesian's talk of insult
shows the narrow mind that controls its columns.
Insult, Why, he has not yet read Russell's scath-
ing letters on American politics, written under
the very shadow of her capitol. Like DIR. Rus
sell, we go in for free speech and an Independent
press and we are sure that no liberal-minded
Englishman will ever take ofiense at what we
may say, though such tongue-tied scribblers as the
PoIyneSidn has, may do so.