The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1865-04-01
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDAY,. April I.
The Foreign News.

In glancing over the papers received by the
last mail, We find several items Of general inter
est, which have not been specially noticed in print
here.
The amendment TO the Uuited States C0nsti-
tuition, which passed both Houses in Congress by
more than the two-thirds majorities required by
Jaw, reads as follows:
ARTICLE XIII.
Sec. l. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude,
except as & punishment for crime whereo: the party
shall have been duly convicted. shall exist within
the United States or any place subject to their juriS-
diction.
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this
articls by appropriate legislation.
1.-The scene in the House, > say an Eastern
exchange, g when the bin was put upon its pass
age, was one Of thrilling interest. The galleries
were packed with anxious spectators, while the
floor of the House was thronged by a crowd Of
Senators and other privileged persons. The issue
hung trembling in suspense. and it. was doubtful
how it would turn Bat as the roll call went
on, and one and another Of the party opposing
the measure gave it his vote, its friends broke
into loud applause, and when at last the Speaker
announced, 'The ayes are I19, the nays sc. 50
the resolution is passed, - the whole House, floor
and galleries. rose in q tempest of Joy, and amid
the waving Of hats and handkerchief, shout
after shout went up in one continuous roar. 1t
was the greatest event ever witnessed in our halls
of legislation"
In tie voting on the question, a large number
of Democrats recorded their names in favor Of
the amendment. The Kentucky delegation stood
four in favor and five against it, while Missouri
cast seven votes for it and two against il. New
England stood unanimous for it.
The amendment, before it can become 4 law,
must now be ratified or adopted by two-thirds
of the States, which Will require twenty-seyen
States. All that have voted on it so far have
approved the amendment, excepting only Della
ware. Maryland and Missouri are both in it's
favor.
There is no question that during the Spring
there will be some hard fighting. a Philadel-
phia paper, in reviewing the position Of the Ma
tional and rebel armies at the latest dates, pro-
phesies that the hardest fighting of the war is
yet to come, that it will take place in Virginia,
and that no easy victory will be won. Such are
doubtless the authorizations of Grant and Sher-
man, and such are the opinions of other military
men. \ false step ON the part of the rebels and
Success ON the National side, may bring the
whole matter 10 u quick and abrupt conclusion.
Lee, however, will not be likely to hazard u
general engagement, because he cannot with
stand q defeat. He will rather attempt opera
tions against isolated portions of the Federal
armies, where, if successful, he will gain some
cclat and cheer the dropping spirits Of his follow
ers, even though he innicts no serious injury on
the Union army and where, if defeated, he will
be in condition to make another trial.
The question is often asked, when the war will
probably end. Although tho final overthrow of
the rebellion is as sure as the next rising of the
sun yet it is not an event to be reckOned upon
as likely to happen in q few weeks Before it
happens, the National troops may meet with re-
verses indeed it would be strange if they did
not. 1t is, therefore, well that people should
not be too sanguine of immediate success, but
that they should await with patience the dawn
ing of the suspicious day when no longer the
banner of treason shall bid defiance to the Gov
eminent Of the nation.