Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-08-11

embraces population If $50, 900, 900, be-
ing onc-fourth the population of the globe,
still the want Of military tactics, and dis
cipline in the arts of modern warfare, rem
,ders the celestial EMPIRE" entirely mad
equate to compete successfully, with the
far less numerical strength of England. 1t
is not our design however, to speculate
upon the probable results Of war between
the two powers, but more especially to con-
slider, what we conceive of far greater inn
portance, viz: which party is in the
wrong? Our sympathies very naturally
are with tie people Of England, from the
fact that Our interests are intimately con-
| nected with theirs, in literature and arts,
| in trade and in commerce. Our language
and habits are like theirs, and in religious
and moral enterprise, there is union of
feeling and action between us. 1t is not
strange then, that cur first impulse, is on
the side of England when she makes war
upon foreign power.
But whatever may be our partialities in
the present case, We should not suffer our
judgments, to overlook the merits of the
contest in question; and if we are not en-
tirely mistaken, in relation to the cause of
the present difficulties, between England
and China, the wrong lies nanifestly with
| En hn g
at safe conclusions, it may be well briefly
| TO notice, some of the events which have
placed the two powers in their present at
ttude. England has for numbero years
past, carried on trade with the Chinese,
in the article of opium. Only a few years
ago, the trade was small, the demand for
that commodity being comparatively limit
ed latterly it has surprisingly increased,
and become source of great pecuniary
profit TO the British. The effect Of the in
creased traffic in this pernicious drug upon
| the population of China, is represented TO
be most appalling: American residents at
Canton, and other places on the confines
of China, speak of opium being far more
! destructive to industry, society, and human
life, than ardent spirits ever were in the
United States, or in any other country
The progress of the habit of opium eating,
had become so alarming, that the Empe-
ror passed an edict, prohibiting the impor-
tation and sale of opium in the empire: re-
CARELESS Of this edict, British vessels still
persisted in carrying on the traffic; where
upon, on proclamation Of the Commission
er General Of China, all the opium found
at the British trading establish ments at
| Canton, were seized, confscated, and de-
stroyed. The British not only now de-
mand an equivalent for the amount of bro
perty destroyed, but continue to force the
traffic upon the Chinese, contrary to re-
peated and solemn edicts of the imperial
government; and in proof of this deter
mnatlon IN their Infamous purpose, an
American resident at Canton writes as
follows; "aiter all tn" imperial edicts that
have been issued, this nefarious and ruin
Gus trade, is still going on in manner.
and to degree that can scarcely be cred
tied. Vessels built for the purpose, arm
ed, and manned as ships Of war, are con-
tinually forcing this drug on the empire,
and now effectually to gain their ends, are
supplying with arms and ammunition the
Chinese craft engaged to assist them. If
this traffic continues, nothing can prevent
the whole coast Of China from becoming
scene Of ruthless piracy"
These are some Of the leading causes,
OF the present difficulties between England
and China: it is true the British authori-
ties, seek to justify themselves on the
ground of former treaties, in which it is
pretended that this article of traffic is re-
cognzed; but theenlightened sense of pub
lie opinion will see this to be shallow ex-
cuse, and that The trade is altogether I'M
justifiable, and dictated by sheer cupidty
and avarce. u we may judge of the sem
timents of the British people, through the
public journals, the more respectable por-
ton, are far from justifyiEg the opium
traffic. and the position assumed by Eng
land towards China. A large and respect
able meeting was recently held in London,
the Right Honorable Earl Stanhope presi-
ding, atwhich strong resolves were passed,
condemning the course of the authorities.