The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-10-31


battle. when the conquered army would leave the
couqueror in hll possession 81 the country they bad
not been able 10 defend. All efforts and attempts
al resistance. on the part Of the Inhabitants were
10 be considered as criminal Ofenses and 10 be
punished accordingly.
This proposal. II adopted. would have been lie
death-biow TO those minor states, which. unable 20
support a large standing army, mainly rely on The
patriotism Of their citizens 10 defend their indie
~pendence.
The Prussian delegate, Mr.. de Woigts- Rhetz. en-
ervsticaliy sustained those views. bat they were
no less energeteaily opposed By the delegates of
less important states. who. not unreas0nAbly.
claimed that one OF the noblest actions OF man
shoaid not be treated as an infamous aeA A man
defending hts eountry, bis bone, his family, cannot
be assimilated 70 al assassin. aud DO shot as
vulgar murderer. II would, besides, be = great
temptation for powerful states. outnumbering With
their soldiers the army OF their weak neighbors. 10
invade their territories and annex them, " the
inhabitants were not only denied the right. OF hgat-
ing for their liberty, but be transferred. aa 80
many head Of cattle, from one government 70
another. without their consent
The Congress have therefore solved none bat qucs-
tons Of comparatively small Importance and the
delegates have adjournej, without having engaged
the responsibility Of their respective governments In
anything being . material departure from the rules.
which have so far obtained Ia warfare.
Another great event. since my last. Is the official
recognition Of the Spanish Republic, by Germany.
an example soon followed by most Of the European
powers. France would have done IL long ago, had
Il not been for the opposition Of the legitimists Of the
Legislative Assembly stnl elinging TO Don Carlos.
who, by a. the right Of God" Kills the subjects that
are ungrateful enough not TO accept him as their
ruler. IL may. at first sight, seem singular that the
by divine right Emperor Of Germany should
have recognized a republic, which has not even the
sanction Of a popular vote. Several reasons can be
adduced as explanations. Not less than the unwar-
rantable murder Of Capt. Schmidt. the atrocioas acts
Of cruelty perpetrated by the Carliets we're sufficient
inducements to Proher TO Marshal Serrano's govern
ment the moral support Of an official recognition.
Some say events will show how far they are right
that il is, as the HohenEollern candidature four years
ago. a preliminary step TO the furtheranoeo OF Mr. de
Bismarck's designs. Of which. IL is likewise whisper
ell, the love Of humanity forms an unimportant part.
Don Carlos represents, in his person. IL IL true. the
principle Of monarchy, but IL cmbodies also the prin-
ciple Of Roman Catholicism; the hatred against the
latter more than enaces the prepossessing features OF
the former.
However. the Emperor Of Russia refuses TO rec
ognize the Spanish Republic, and the famous
alliance of the three Emperors Of Germany, Russia
and Prussia, on all points Of European politics,
does not seem TO be binding aud Of a durable
nature, Russia may be disappointed at NE failure
of the Brussels Congress, and will not follow the
other two governments in tie Spanish question.
a Russian feet Is now cruising on the coast OF
Spain TO prevent the landing of contraband OF war
TO the Carlists. and the latest kilograms announce
that the Carlists fired on some German boats. which
were not slow to answer and retaliate. II IL the
beginning Of a conflict, foreseen by the Chancellor
OF the German Empire, aud which may Involve
terrible consequences equally ioreseen by the cum
ming statesman | am not prepared 20 tell, nor
am l willing TO hazard u hasty supposiuon.
II any complications arise, the Prince Chancellor
whose health Is completely restored, after Kull-
mann's dastardly attack on his life, will likely
play a prominent part In the events 10 come.
In relation TO the attempt made ON his life by an
ignorant fanatic. | have lately read an interesting
account OF similar Ruthless attempts against dis
tinguished personages. The late Lord Derby used
20 treat the letters be received while Premier,
warning him Of alleged plots against his life, with
supreme unconcern "Ii," be Is reported 70 have
said, " If anybody is prepared TO sacrifice his life.
for the sake OF taking mine, no power on earth can
hinder him. IL. however, he wants to Kill me and
get off himself, ] am In no sort Of danger"
The truth of this characteristic saying will COM
mend itself 10 all who have studied the chronicles
of successful and unsuccessful attempts az assas-
s%ination. Every now and then we meet In history
with a fanatic who counts his own life as nothing,
if he can rid the world OF one whom he regards as
an oppressor. But the Damiens and Charlotte
Cordays. the Lourels and Booths, are very few In
number, and the vast majority OF would-be-assas-
sins unite a strong regard for their own safety
with the desire to carry out their homicidal
purposes.
There is hardly a ruler who has not encountered
the risk OF assassination. The Fieschi plot against
Louis Philippe was the boldest and best devised Of
any recent plans. but IL failed. Napoleons lie
was time after time sought. and yet be died ~ bis
bed. Ferdinand H. OF Naples escaped unhurt
from the many attempts at assassination TO which
he was exposed. The Emperors OF Germany, OF
Russia, OF Austria. and the King OF Italy. have also
escaped without injury from the hands OF assassins.
1t seems q very easy Thing for an ordinary good
shot to kill a man walking along the street some dis
lance off, and then to get clear away before pursuit
is possible But experience shows that nothing 10
more difficult. An assassin is necessarily almost al
ways nervous and excitable, and even IL his nerves
be OF the strongest, II must be hard 10 retain abso-
lutte self possession az a moment when he is not only
going TO take away another mans life, but 20 risk
his own. The ~Ex-Emperor Napoleon III. stated that
the dagger was the only weapon an assassin could
employ with any prospect Of success, and experience
confirms his theory.
1t is with ever-renewed interest that ! read the
newspapers from Honolulu, and / fancy for a while
that | am still with my Hawaiian friends. Yester-
day we were a few "haoles ~ from happy Hawaii
mel assembled together, and we spent charming hours
speaking Of our common friends. A young lady
there was with US, who, born In Honolulu, viii be-
fore long have gained n worldwide reputation, and
who, perhaps before this reaches you will. at one
bound. have reached the starry heaven Of Fame.
But the Hawaiian nightingale will not forget It's ma
tive groves, if / judge by the pleasure she felt in re-
calling fond recollections Of home. Our respectable
and much-esteemed musical critic Of Honolulu, Dr..
H., l would like very much 20 have in Paris at the
time Of her triumphs, but / will try while r~egretting
his absence to give the best account Of an event. not
concerning the Capulets. but the other side.
Yours truly, FARAFT.