The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-09-11

red about the 22d of August. a telegram is
said to have been received at San Francisco, just
as the SpeedtceH was leaving, to the effect that a
battle had been fought at Gordonsville on that
day, but this is only verbal and unreliable.
We still think, (for nothing to the contrary
appears in any of the telegrams) that M'Clellan's
purpose is to remain awhile where he is, and
attack Richmond in the rear by crossing to the
South of the James, or on the flank, by moving
up the Yorktown Peninsula. The latest adyices
show that the bulk of the rebel army was NOV
ing North, to support Stonewall jackson, and it
is not impossible that, by tie aid of the railroads
at his command, he may have been so rapidly
reinforced, as to enable him to overcome Pope.
With the rebels, whatever they have gained has
been by their CELEBRITY of movement. JacksOn's
victories and successful retreat in the Shenan-
doah Valley were gained in that way. So too
his sudden appearance and falling on M'Clel-
lan's flank before Richmond, when he was sup
posed he to in the Shenandoah Valley, were
what deranged M'Clellan's plans and discom-
flied the Union army.
Whatever may be the plan of the new cam
paign in Virginia, we have confidence in the
men who have it in charge, and in the generals
in the field, particularly in Mcclellan. His tao
tics may not be clear, but that is no reason why
they may not be the best which can be made.
In the game Of chess-which, in its tactics, bears
a close resemblance to a battle feld-moves are
often made by skillful players, which TO specta-
tors appear like giving great advantage to the
enemy, and even valuable pieces are thrown
away, apparently without good cause but sud-
denly IA " check mate brings the enemy to q
dead halt, and he surrenders without reserve. So
it may be in this Peninsular campaign.
Our secession n~eighbor, the Polynesian, is
welcome to crow over the retreat of Mcclellan,
and the expected success of the rebels-expected
and wished for by him-but his growing must
be done quick. for the hopes of the rebels are
narrowing to q point.
81 Loyal citizens of the Great Republic" says
one of the California papers, q" have no cause
for encouragement. The man of whom they
expected SO much has never yet lost a battle
and the War Department was never so efficient
as it IS at the present moment. The public
credit is unshaken, the determination of the peo-
pie TO crush out the rebellion is to-day stronger
than ever, and fresh troops are arriving at Wash
ington at the rate of five thousand Il day. In
the meantime, the resources of the South are
hourly being impoverished, and if we have not
been able to reduce the rebellion rs early as we
have desired, its fate is not the less certain"
Gen. Butler has been recalled from New Or
leans, and Gen. Dix ordered to fill his place.
Butler, it is said, will be sent to South Carolina
to raise the National flag at Charleston, and
teach the rebels of that section to respect its
stars and stripes. This ought to have been done
long ago, and would probably, had there been
more g picayune Buffers in the field, to spare
for the service.
The guerrillas throughout the Border States
arc doing much damage, and spreading terror on
every side. Until a larger number of Union
forces are brought against them, they will prob
ably continue their plumber and depredations.
These forces will soon be in the field, if they are
already there.
Political parties in the States were becoming
more noisy as the fall elections approached, and
is feared that divisions may arise among
them, mainly on the best way of conducting the
war. The conservatives seek to preserve
slavery intact, the " radicals demand that
freedom be proclaimed to every man." i. e to
the slaves, of course. This pressure of the two
parties on the administration is very great, and
what the effect on the conduct of the war will be,
t is hard to tell. The President, in his address
TO the Border State Representatives uses the
blowing language, which will show the position
ne is placed in:
81 am ~pressed.'' he said, with a difficulty not
Jet mentioned-one which threatens division among
hose who, united, are none too strong. An instance
f it is known to you. Gen. Hunter is an honest
nan. He was, and 1 hope still is, my friend. [
;alued him none the less for his agreeing with me in
he general wish that all men ever where could be
reed. He proclaimed all men free within certain
States, and | repudiated the proclamation. He ex-
1ectpl more good and less harm from the measure
han [ could believe would follow. Yet, in repudiat-
ng it, | gave dissatisfaction if not offense, to many
whose support the country cannot afford to lose. And
his is not the end Of it. The pressure in this direc-
ion is still upon me and is increasing. By conceding
THAT | now ask, you can relieve me, and, much more,
an relieve the country in this important point"
To Illustrate what the radical party is now
emanding, the following stirring letter of Gov.
'ates of Illinois, in reply to Lincoln's call for
O0, 900 men, will give an idea. Two years ago
e was Il pro-slavery Democrat. So change pub
&c opinion and public men
Mild and conciliatory means have been tried in
to recall the Rebels to their allegiance. The
policy has utterly failed to reduce trail
ors to obedience, and to restore the supremacy of the
AVS. They have, by means of a sweeping conscrip-
ON, gathered in countless hordes and threaten to
eat back and overwbelm the armies of the Union.
With blood and treason in their hearts, haunt the
flag of rebellion in the face of the Government,
nd threaten to butcher our brave and loyal armies
18th foreign bayonets. They arm negroes and mer-
IS savages in their behalf.
VI Lincoln, the crisis demands greater efforts