The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-10-22
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
THURSDAY. OCTOBER %.
England and America.

The somewhat squally appearance of the
political horizon between America and England
at the latest advices, (Which may have been
the real cause of the rise in gold in New York;
creates unusual interest for the news that
will next reach US. Our readers need not now
TO be informed that almost the only injury in
fiicted to American commerce during the present
rebellion, has been done by vessels fitted out
from England. Already American shipping to
the value of twelve millions has been destroyed,
and three-ffths of her foreign tonnage have been
swept from the ocean. by being burned, or sold
to go under foreign flags, or detained in home
ports while three-fourths Of her foreign COM
merce is performed by foreign bottoms No
other nation but England has permitted its sub
jects to furnish aid to the rebels, by supplying
them with vessels or any other material CONTRA
band of war. The United States, from necesS-
ity, have thus far had to put up with this for
eign aid to the rebels, given to them in open
violation of what has been acknowledged to be
the law OF nations.
At the last accounts this matter was assum-
ing so grave an aspect, that the American
Government can not long remain quiet, and had
already firmly protested against the fitting out
Of the irOn-clads which are being built in Eng
land for the rebels. Three of these were nearly
completed. One was launched and would be
ready to sail in August or September, an ac-
count of which will be found on our next page.
If these iron-clads are allowed by the British
Government to leave its ports and enter the
rebel service, after the protest made by the gov
eminent, the American people will probably
feel like urging their government to take 4 step
further, and resent the act by an open de-
c~laration Of war. President Lincoln, however,
has on more than one occasion said, . One war
at a time" and open rupture can only be
brought about by the unanimous and reiterated
demand of the people. There is a point beyond
which iorbearance is 4 crime'-with nations
as with individuals, and should it appear that
Laird and his accomplies are TO be allowed by
the British Government TO supply the rebels with
iron-clads or u war feet, the whole world will
point the finger of seorn at America, if she
silently submits to it.
Would England permit America or France
TO supply rebels in Ireland OF India with an
iron-clad feet or guns or powder? Never.
Would France permit England or America TO
supply rebel Algeria with iron-clads or any con-
traband of war? Never. If then these gov
cTnInenIs "Ouiu instantly resent SuCH HeNtTdHty
and deem it a odsus beHi, is there any honor
able course left for America but TO put a stop
to it, or at least attempt TO stop ii. 1t Is the
honor of the Nation that is involved in this
question, not its strength. No nation can com
mand respect that permits its acknowledged
rights to be violated or even tempered with by
another nation. 1t may not be able TO vindicate
its honor at the present time, even if it under
takes it; and probably the rebels would be far
more likely to succeed in case of 4 war with
England. But if the rebels are to be thus aided
by covert allies, better at once come out and let
the contest be an open and a fair one. If 4 war
with England rested on this question alone
the right to aid the rebels by permitting her
subjects to supply them a feet, the whole world
would condemn her at Its very outset.
But it cannot come to this. There is too
much honor in the English people if not in its
ministry, to allow q rupture for such a cause
and the ministry can never do acts that the peO-
pie will repudiate. There il a standard of right
and wrong that is the same among all peoples, |