The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1862-03-27

Mississippi river and a few miles below its june.
tiOn with the Ohio river) had evacuated tn,
town, which was burned by them as they left
They were retreating down the river, probably tC
Memphis. The day after their departure, the
Federal troops took possession. The rebels dc
not appear disposed to fight, and will probably
be compelled 10 continue retreating as the Fede-
raj forces advance. General Beauregard i:
reported to have joined the rebel troops in
Tennessee, but it will take more than his skill
and bravery to impart to them necessary conf
dence.
A provisional Union Government was to
be established in Tennessee, and Senator Andrew
johnson had left Washington for Nashville to
organize it.
- On the Potomac, a forward movement had
been made, and Harper's Ferry re-occupied by
Federal troops, which secures the railroad COM
munieation through Western Virginia. The
rebel army in Central Virginia is evidently be-
coming hemmed IN, and further advances will
be made as soon as the spring rains permit.
- The expeditions on the Atlantic end South
ern coasts do not appear TO have materially
changed their positions.
A strait-jacket has been made by Congress
W AZ 4A "HD A"o vi NNC lAO'NN 1oANS
obstinate about carrying mails on his steamers.
\ law has been passed, il our reports are correct,
requiring vessels leaving an American port,
to give notice ut the Post-ofice, take and dehrer
promptly all mails desired TO be sent by them.
The law was framed to meet Vanderbilt's course,
and probably will set him right. Under this
law, OK Eastern newspaper mails will probably
be restored TO the steamers.
- The most important news appears to be the
proceedings of Congress on the slavery question.
This body was engaged in discussing the form of
government which should extend over the south
ern territory, and to what extent the property of
persons actually engaged in rebellion should be
confscated. This question of course includes
slaves. The discussion is not given in full, but
there appears to be 4 clear majority in favor of
unconditional confscation of all the property of
rebels, and the emancipation of their slaves, and
a bill will probably be passed to this effect, and
furthermore to make territories of the Southern
states. There is much discussion on these topics
in the American papers, and we find great
unanimity among them, embracing even what
formerly were pro-slavery journals. The y. Y.
Posi- has the following
at is important TO keep this war TO its original
Otlec.-the restoration OF the Union ana the preServ-
alton OF the constitution. But under t e constitution
slavery is exclusively an institution of the States in
which it exists. Neither the President nor Congress
has authority to interfere with it in ordinary times
A general act of emancipation would
scarcely effect the end at which it is aimed. A pro-
clama;ion OF martial law. and the release of the
slaves under it, would not be more effective. Martial
law expires as soon a. the exigency which calls it forth
terminates, and then the old laws recover their sus-
yended force and vigOr. Either or both of them
would be offensive to large masses of loyal men. both
in the border and cotton States, and might protract
our troubles But Congress has power TO cOnfscate
the property of rebels; under this it may con6scate
is held as property under the laws of the
States; and IL may appoint commissioners of forfeit
ure in each State for the distribution Of that property
IN such 4 manner as may seem best.
This was the course pursued by onr fathers of the
era They ccnfscated the possessions
IF tories who we're in arms after a certsin warning,
1r who actively assisted the enemy; they nominated
! commission to act as trustees of the estates forfeited;
I'D and disabled slaves were supported out of the pro-
leeds of the funds so held, and others were emanci-
,ated. IL will be in tkf. power u Congress at any
line TO direct what disposition shall be made of the
PERSONAL subjects Of c0nhscatiOn, whether colOnizei
abroad. rs MIR. Lincoln suggests, whether apprentice
ed TO loyal owners for n term Of years. or in the iu-
ersal OF some other event, or proclaimed at once
reemen."
The Journal Of Commerce quotes this and adds:
= We heartily congratulate the Post on the prin-
iple thus laid down in their leader OF last evening.
I is well said. and meets the views which conserva-
i've men hold.
On this ground. whatever differences Of opinion
may be among Us as to the abstract questions
with slavery, the north can be united.
he slave property Of rebels Is unquestiOnably the
uIject Of cOniscation as mech rs their horses or
cotton. No one desires confscatei slaves TO be
TO slavery. The government should make
revision for that; and If in the end it shall be found
nat every slave in the rebellious States has acquired
in this manner, no reasonable man, north or
Duth, can object 10 the effects of the administration
T constitutional law. /
This IS the course of law and order. 1t is the
purse provided in the constitutions; and pursuing it,
he government will carry the teTrors Of the law wiki
lem into the heart with the rebellion.
We suggested some weeks ago the organization Of a
of conhscation. We do not approve of n plan,
hich has been proposed, of appointing commissioners
confscation. This is an innovation on our style of
W. IL would be sufficient TO organize a court of in
rior jurisdiction 10 the Supreme Court of the United |
tates, having rowing powers in the south, and let ,
idges hold courts wherever the Union forces are in
lssesson. Let the due forms of law be thoroughly ,
iministered and every case subjected to trial "a the =
institution provides. Let titles to property be thus o
which will stand the test of future examina- !
and let slaves be con6scated TO the government I
and taken care of by government provision, in :
lOnies or otherwise.
Proclaim this plan as the adopted plan of govern
anu let il if possible be circulated among the 9
.bes. and every STAKEHOLDER now in arms will see :
Tered him at once the choice of peace and prosper l
=, or war and ultimate poverty. Against a pro- v
amation Of absolute emancipation he would feel the I
,cessity of fighting to the last. Against the terrors ,
the Ia" tnus threatened, II ne mas not gone mao,
will not hold long out. but will accept the mercy
is always extended TO penitents."
The theory on which the government has prose-
ted the war is that there are thousands of Union
en- in the south, who have been forced into the
volt in a fit of temporary passion or by the despo-
IN of the secession leaders, and who would gladly
turn to their allegiance if they possibly could. All
ch should have the opportunity, and the law
ould give them q period of thirty days, say, to
axe their choice. Ii before that time they have
a down their arms and quit their rebelious works, c
penalties shall not apply to them; bu, if they 81
ntinue in revolt, these penalties shall be enforced 6
all hazards. Any Law absolute in its terms would "
ly drive the misguided secessionists to desperation; n
Z q law holding nnt a cnnlitinnal altarnatixs of