The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-01-07
Pr0phetic.

In the year 1856, a series of Political ~treatises
made their appearance in London, entitled ''Tracts
for the present crisis" The crisis was, the nego-
tiation of the Treaty between France, England and
Turkey and Russia, at the close of the Crimean
war,-that Treaty which Russia seeks to modify.
One of these 's Tracts - is now before us, being
No. IL, and is headed 90 Kill or Cure.' The au-
thor, who writes anonymously, appears to have
thoroughly studied his subject, and to have been
well versed in all the phases of the then situation
in Europe. His arguments are addressed in favor
of resting content with moderate concessions from
Russia in the treaty of peace then about to be
entered into between that power and the %victori-
GUS allies. Now, after the lapse of fourteen
years, the structures of this unknown writer APP
pear to have been singularly prophetic. lie says
8" Is it reasonable to believe that when a treaty
of peace has been concluded between powerful
and warlike nations, and the terms Of that treaty
press heavily and painfully upon one of those
nations, wounding its just pride and hampering
Sfnjuriously it's freedom of action lis it reasonable
to believe that that nation will digest the indig-
NIFTY at leisure, and placidly submit to the CALLING
restraint, without cherishing expectations of by
and-bye avenging the one, and rudely shaking off
the other 2"
How remarkably applicable this is to the past
fourteen years of Russia and her present attitude +!
But look at this picture, which follows can it
be a description of the France of to-day, or per-
haps Of tomorrow
I" We are not considering the case of a nation
once indeed vigorous, and still respectable in ex-
tent and population, but gradually sinking into
decrepitude from causes that can no more be re-
sisted than the ravages of old age in the human
race; its vital energies sapped its whole system
shaken. and ready to perish"
Reverting again to Russia, and describing her
as an immense nation,-rude indeed, and to some
extent uncivilized but nevertheless instinct with
the ardour and strength and the freshness of
youth swayed by a species of vehement patrio-
tlsm, and capable alike of ~indomitable patience as
well as of an energy that borders almost on des-
perate recklessness our author goes on to say
that in dealing with such a nation there is but
the choice of two alternatives.
Either fight with it to the death, clutch it by
the throat with a desperate grasp of one who
knows that to fall in the encounter, will be GER
tain destruction abandon all hope of peace until
one or other of the contending parties lies crushed
and PROSTATE, neUer to rise again. The other al
Tentative is plainly this make peace on such
terms as shall secure indeed the substantial objects
OF the war. but avoid exacting concessions which
rather vex and gall your antagonist than benefit
yourself; refrain from stealthily planting a thorn
in his side which shall serue as a perpetual memo
randum Of past dsconyfture; which shall goad
him to harbor bitter and vindictive passions,
rather than induce him to open his heart to more
generous emotions. " The yanquished but
high-spirited foe broods over the insulting condi-
tions to which his necessity, not his. will, con-
sented, and from the moment that the treaty is
executed, medtates schemes Of vengeance, and
cO~ntemplates the means Of dearerance. Such a
peace would be a sham and a delusion, or until
and let the reader pay attention to this-the
Allied Powers should cease to be prepared for
war. " A peace involving gratuitous injury
or loss cannot be permanent, 6a tciH only last
until a Favorable opportunity arises for reneaOing
the scdr."
These are the prophetic utterances of a wise
and far-seeing writer, fourteen years ago. They
were doubtless deemed by the statesmen of the
day as the p@uerile complainings of a timid mind
bafhow suggestively truthful and Applicable d.
they appear in view of the presen. coalition Of
European affairs!