The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-08-13

O.
utterance to Il few thoughts suggested by the
occasion. L ought perhaps 10 apologize for thus
p~resuming TO address this audience, for only a
few hours have elapsed since | received the re-
quest to make the necessary arrangements for
this meeting. 1 am confident / shall have your
indulgence, and hence | shall proceed without
additional intro6uctiaa or apology, to offer a
few remarks upon the reasons for thanksgiving.
Only twenty-five days have elapsed since the
President Of the United States issued the PrOcla-
nation which has been read in your hearing.
The sentiments Of that document are in every
respect worthy of the President Of a great, free
and Christian people. engaged in one of the most
LlodGy civil wars of ancient or modern times.
The recent successes and glorious victories which
have attended the Union armies, call for thanks
giving to Almighty God. As the President
APPLY remarks, "These victories have been
accorded not without sacrifices of life, limb,
health and liberty, incurred by brave, loyal and
Patriotic citizens. While domestic affection in
every part of the country follows in the train of
these fearful bereavements, it is meet and right
TO recognize and confess the presence of the
Almighty Father, and the power of His hand
equally IN these triumphs and these sorrows.''
The appointment of such a day indicates, i. the
most striking and convincing manner, that
America is a Christian nation, although not
burdened with q National Church establishment.
All, this is among the glories of that land, that
Christians of all denominations and sects are
placed upon a common level, and are equally
entitled to all the privileges of sovereign citizens.
Those numerous secs have all manifested 4 noble
and generous enthusiasm in sending forward
their members to battle for the Union and the
Constitution. Catholic and Protestant, Episco-
palian and Presbyterian, Methodist and indie
pendent, Puritan and Quaker, have nObly We'd
with each other to shed their blood in the com
mon cause, They have stood side by side at
Fredericksburg and Corinth. Gettysburg, and
Antetam, VieksbGrg and Port Hudson. 1t
affords us delight to convene to-day and give
rhapIu e. fEaSr Ianr E,rr,I ,nr1r;a a-I G.
their defeats too, which have been so overruled
rs tn result in victories.
When the Mariner - remarks Daniel Web
ster, in the exOrdium of his second speech in the
Senate, against Hayne OF South Carolina
- when the mariner has been tossed for many
days in thick weather, and on an unknown sea,
he avails himself of the first pause in the storm,
the earliest glance of the sun, to take his lati-
tude, and ascertain how far the elements have
driven him from his true course" Let us
initiate his prudence" adds Mr.. Webster. |
feel that the Presidents Proclamation calls upon
loyal Christian citizens to follow the mariners
example. For more than two years the ship of
state has been floating upon Il troubled sea.
Terrible has been the storm that has ragged
around. Not O(iy has there been raging a storm
of unwOnted fury and violence. but there has
been u mutiny on board. Traitors and bad men
rose up and 6efed the Captains authority.
When he stepped upon the quarter deck, on the
4th of March, 1861, he knew not whom he
could trust Then was the ship . Republic in
greatest danger. MutinOus officers were in the
cabin. The new commander cautiously grasped
the helm, and invited TO share with him the
OF the ship of state, men who
could be trusted. After managing affairs for
nearly two years and a half, our commander
invites Christians of every name and sect to
assemble on the 9th day of August. 1868, and
give thanks to the Almighty Ruler of nations,
that the noble ship of state is still gliding gal
lantly along on her triumphant career, and
nobly Drawing and out-riding all the storms.
Most honestly am | Of the opinion that it be-
us to be thankful on this OCCASION, and
for the following reasons:
FIRsT-We hare reason to be thankful that
there IS az America q strong, pOtceyfI and good
government. Other nations may enjoy govern
suited to their condition and circum-
stances, and so does America. Her government
is republican. and admirably suited to the con-
dItion of n great, free and intelligent people.
Republican institutions are not 4 failure. They
are passing through a fiery ordeal, but coming
forth purified and refined. The people rule.
The people are prepared TO stand forth IN defence
of their government and the rulers of their
choice. When this struggle commenced, null
titudes declared that Republican institutions
were 4 failure. but never was there a greater mis-
The people Of America have shown that
they could make laws and obey the laws when
made, elect rulers and obey those rulers when
How glorious did the loyal people of
America conduct themselves in the Trent affair.
There was manifested a noble sclEgOvernment
selEcoutrol. All through this war, the gov
eminent has been daily growing stronger and
Never was that government stronger
than upon the day when the Presidents Procla-
nation was Issued. IL cannot be overthrown,
but will finally triumph over its foes, and be
fully acknowledged from the Lakes to the Gulf,
and from the shores of the Atlantic to the
Pacific. 1t may cost treasures of blood and
gold, but the people possess both. and they will,
as they have done, freely pour them out upon
the altar Of their country
-DrICE st DECoKrM EST Pro PNTEIA NoRf,"
sweet it is and honorable to die for ones country
This was the ointment Of the old Roman as
by Horace, but ali, how nobly the
Young men and old men of America, have illus
trated this line of the Roman poet. They have
4 patriotism and loyalty equal to that
of any patriots of Greece or Rome. They have
shown that they were no unworthy sons of the
sires OF 20.
SECoxD-We hare reason to be thankful that
the cause of the troubles and oirII 1CdT IS ereHinaHy
TO be remOred. 1 refer, as you will understand
to the system OF slavery. No candid observ-
pr can question this assertion first, that slavery
is the cause, and, secondly, that that cause is
now in some manner 10 be taken out of the way.
South declared at the opening of the strug-
gle, by the Vice President, Mr.. Stephens. that
slavery was TO be the cornerstone of the South
ern Confederacy hence, slavery and freedom
have been brought face to face The Southern
army, ostensibly fighting for independence, has
been all the while fighting for slavery, and the
army, fighting for the Union and the
Constitutions, mas been contending for freedom.
This issue did not fully appear to the people of
RuFope and the world, until President Lincoln
zane out with his Emancipation Proclamation.
Fhat Proclamation was the turning point in the
var. Had not President Lincoln struck the
NJ rho Elmo ba did | fear there would have