A Secession Flag Hauled Down (Honolulu, 1862)

A Secession Flag Hauled Down
Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser. March 13, 1862.

The public were startled last Saturday by the announcement in the Polynesian, that it had ceased to be Secesh, and intended to become a good, Union-loving sheet. And then it goes on in a half column of apologizing, after reading which one is puzzled to know what he does think. The editor of the Polynesian for months has not hesitated to avow on the street, the warmest sympathy for the rebel fire-eaters of the South, because he once happened to sojourn at Charleston, or in some of the blockaded rat-holes of that neighborhood, long enough to say he had seen a live slave and discovered the beauty of Southern slavery. 

Only now, when the Union cause is triumphant, and victory after victory is recorded with almost incredible rapidity, does he dare to come out and disavow his position of hostility to the American Government. he calls on us to "back up our assertion by a line or a word, wherein he has expressed approbation of the enterprise or sympathy with the success of the Southern States." We will reply in Yankee style, by asking him when he has ever inserted "a line or a word" in favor of the Union cause? If he has done it, nobody knows of it; on the contrary, the worst coloring has invariably been given, and every false rumor favorable to the rebels has been trumpeted as fact. It is time that the rebel flag over the Polynesian is hauled down, when the rebels themselves are hauling it down and surrendering their arms. It is perfectly safe for it now to show Union colors in Honolulu, and beg patronage of the Union men here.

The truth is, the Polynesian, ever since the rebellion broke out, has been "on the fence," -its sympathies with the rebels, but it has not dared to speak openly. And it pursues the same course on most subjects, seldom speaking out unequivocally concerning anybody or any class, excepting only the American Missionaries. Regarding them there is no doubt how it feels, thinks and acts, for it allows no opportunity to slip to traduce, vilify and abuse them, if it knew how. 

We should not have taken the trouble to notice its remarks to "whom it may concern," were not the public pretty generally "concerned" in the matter. It admits reluctantly that the news was very important, but failed to find it out until it sees all rebel flags struck. It's marvelous what a change comes over some people's vision when great victories occur. After reading through its poor apology, and noticing its crocodile tears, one is left to no alternative, in looking for a reason for the non-issuing on an extra, but to assign that given by us, notwithstanding the disavowal made by it. Still, as the Polynesian has, at the eleventh hour, thrown off the mask, and avows itself openly for the Union, we will cheerfully give it credence so long as it adheres to its resolve.

In concluding its apology, the Polynesian tries to make out an attempt on our part "to insult" foreigners resident here, in commenting on European affairs. It's a very narrow and niggardly mind that can put such a construction on our remarks. The idea thrown out was taken from an English paper, which declared that it was not prudent for England to enter on a war with America without the support or co-operation of France. The Polynesian's talk of "insult" shows the narrow mind that controls its columns. Insult! Why, he has not yet read Russell's scathing letters on American politics, written under the very shadow of her capitol. Like Dr. Russell, we go in for free speech and an independent press; and we are sure that no liberal-minded Englishman will ever take offense at what we may say, though such tongue-tied scribblers as the Polynesian has, may do so.