The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-11-12
THE PACIFIC
Commercial A0bertlstt.
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER u.
The WaF-Our Exemption from
it's II

In a late issue of this paper we ventured a few
general remarks upon war and its laInentable
consequences, as carried on by civilized nations.
In looking over that standard magazine, Htnt's
Merchants, for the month of September last, we
noticed an excellent article headed The waste
OF war; in which ideas of n character similar to
our OWN were forcibly produced, although at the
time our article was written, we had not had the
pleasure of perusing the article in question.
That there should have been, however, a resem-
blance of thought on a subject 50 engrossing to
all friends of humanity is, by no means, extraor-
binary, as there can be but one reflection on the
matter of g war in this enlightened nineteenth
century. We propose to employ from the article
a few of the sentiments expressed, in relation to
our subject heading this article. The position is
taken that the American people have derived no
advantage. as yet, from the war in Europe, and
that it may reasonably be doubted whether it is
possible for any great nation, as a whole, and in
the sum of things, to profit by the misfortunes of
another. The reasons are then ably stated. But
we go a little further and argue that even if one
great nation is benefited, in the long run the adj
vantage is temporary, and dearly gained at the
ruin of our neighbors. Or, in other words, to
become a lasting human benefit. all nations of
the civilized family at least should, in a greater
or less degree, be able to participate. Now,
during our residence ON these islands of more
than a quarter of q century, four important wars
have occurred, involving in suffering some of our
best friends. That although we constitute 80
small a portion of the family of nations,-like
the great nation of the article to which we
allude,-in neither of those wars do We remem-
Der having derived any special bene6ts-that is
to say, any that would not have come to us with
out the foreign wars. 1t is our purpose, how
ever, more particularly to speak of our exemption
from the miseries entailed upon other countries.
That we have had our seasons of trial every
one knows but they have been quite independent
of any consequences, resulting from foreign con-
ficts. The first great war of the period, we as
sign, was that in the Crimea. 1t cannot be said
that that war affected US much in any way. We
had not to pay any advance on what was wanted
from abroad. The next war was the rebellion in
the United States. This. very naturally, affected
US a great deal more than anything before or
since. The reason why is patent to every one
but still We did not suffer-. Our exports paid
well, the necessaries Of life were abundant,
neither were these islands made the theatre of
any aggressive acts. as was at one time feared,
from any of the famous southern cruisers. If
we were injured, it wan Indirectly through the
raid made upon our friends of the northern
whaling feet. There Were also articles of i'm
ported goods, especially ~cottons, for which we
were obliged to pay much higher prices than be-
fore the civil war in America. The cause for
which was also quite plain. Then came the short
- cola hafxraan tba k1ro o,oot (No,,,aa xo..o.
which did not affect US a particle. And now we
come to the present crisis between Prussia and
France. The commercial interests of France,
with our islands, have never been large, and
such of her commodities as are sold here are
most frequently brought to US by ships of other
nations. Of late years our intercourse with
Germany has greatly increased, and we count
among our first mercantile firms citizens of that
country, yet during the few months that this last
war has continued, we fail to notice any inter-
ruption of the usual business, or any pressing
need for the productions of the two countries.
In passing along our streets, if we knew nothing
of the existence of the present war, we should
certainly learn nothing of it, from any CONNER
cial distress or panic, and still less from any
scenes of misery in our midst.
But we enjoy exemption, from wars conse-
quences, of a nature far more important and
solemn than anything connected with business or
trade. While we have our homes, families and
friends about us in perfect security, with an
abundance of LIES blessings before us, can we
help feeling truly thankful that our lives have
fallen in such pleasant places, as W. read, by
every intelligence, of burning villages, homeless,
starving women and children, order and peace set
at nought, and the energies of man taxed to the
utmost for the invention of the most wholesale
engines of destruction. fi
Enjoying the Immunity that we do, however,
from these immediate horrors, yet in the forcible
language Of our author, with which to conclude,
we are to remember eve are members of the
great family of Chrlstendom, the system of
modern civilization has so bound together the ma
tions, that every war is now a civil war, and
whatever Injuries the wealth and happiness of one
people is a blow to all. And it is in this broader
view that war ~ought.to be regarded in our day.
In this light, words are wanting to express the
horror, with which it will be regarded by
thoughtful men, nee e ar
THE F~REEMAsoNs OF PARIs.-In a late American
exchange we end it stated that on the 18th of Sep
tember, a deputation from the Scotch Masonic
Lodge, No. Is7, Orient de Gentilly." called on
Mr.. Washburne. American Minister in Paris, and
delivered the following address
To the Minister of the United States of America-
SIR: A great deed has just been accomplished
before the whole world. France. whom a despotic
Government had held in bondage for eighteen
years, has enfranchised herself by pr~oclaiming a
America, like all other nations who are
animated by principles of progress and liberty,
has through your patriotic Intervention recognized
the new Government (of the Republic of France,
and assures it at the same time OF its generous
concurrence in carrying out the great work of
regeneration.
We, Freemasons of one of the precincts of Paris,
who are to defend, under the walls of the great
city alike the soil of our invaded country and the
temple wherein our labors are accomplished, come.
sir, to bring to you, in the name OF our Lodge, our
tribute of gratitude. We come to beg you to be
to our brothers in America the interpreter of our
sentiments, alike fraternai and devoted. We have
confidence in the future, and it is. this confidence
which gives each one of us the right to participate
in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of nations that we await