The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-11
ENGLAND AND CHINA-THE CARDINAL
VIRTUES OF THE BRITISH GOVERN
MENT So

ENGLAND AND CHINA-THE CARDINAL
VIRTUES OF THE BRITISH GOVERN
MENT, &c.
As it is always considered duty with pru-
dent man to make himself acquainted with the
character and principles of the individual he
trusts or deals with, so wise and prudent Gov
vernment should acquaint itself with the charac-
it has intercourse, or alliances. If we know in
dividuals who cheat defraud and Cypress the
weak and unoffending we instinctively,-if we
are wise,-avoid all intercourse with such ''ugly
customers The duty of nation, however, is
different. II cannot, at will. terminate its inter-
course even with an insolent and oppressive ma
ton, but is bound rather to chastse its misconduct
This is duty every nation owes TO the great
family Of nations. And there is still further
duty it owes; and that is, where it cannot inter
fere TO chastise oppression, it should at least
condemn it,
If we are correct in our sentiments, what be-
comes the duty of our nation, upon Witnessing
the conduct of England towards China7 We
humby conceive it to be no less than placing
the seal of unqualified Reproduction upon that
conduct.
Is there any thing but the inability of Eng
land to treat America as she has treated China,
that restraints her from making us as humiating
and bloody an example Of her oppression?
We have the most grave and important ques-
ton Of national rights to be settled with her
Let us be warned by the example Of China, not
4 IL
oppression, punc faith, and plunder,--but rely
mainly if not solely upon our arms, for the pro-
lection of our personal rights and our national
honor.
What is the motto Of England's escutcheon
.MIoHT GIVES RIGHT" Let us betmes learn
wisdom from its moral. After we have diplo-
matized in vain for the acknowledgment to the
rights of our soil and its sovereignty, what alter
native remains but the ultima ratio regum?
The foregoing remarks were very naturally
suggested by the following congenial sentiments
and opinions from the /" Hartford Times"-very
different sentiments, it is true, from what Eng
land once found at " Hartford" But the times
have changed, and the last lingering hope of
England for any aid from another "Hartf ord
Convention" has "changed with them" Let
England and her federal allies mark now what
comes from :. Hartford" since
"a change came DER the spirit of her dream"
tOn no code of morals, of huma nity Of Justice, or
Of right can the British nation be justified or excused
for the inhuman butcheTes Of a simple, noffensive
and peaceable people because they resist
1t is war commenced in fraud and wrong, and against
principles of national policy that Britain herself more
emf an Oth
1.-THE authorities Of China, finding that the opium
trade destructive to the morals, the health, the
happiness, and the energy of the people, nterdiced
the trade, and forbid the introduction Of this odious
and supplying drug within the domnions of the celes-
aI empire. But dsregardng the laws ofthe country,
the British traders and others continued to smugge it
into their ports and besotted and incorporate
the people who used it, that at every risk they raick
ed for this intoxicating article. At length the Empe
and his ministers, in order to put eectual stop
TO this trade sezed the conraband poison then in port
and destroyed it, For this bloody and prosecuting
~r has been carried on, and thousands upon thou
sanas butchered ny orders Of the British Government
VINO lave taught" them they must consent TO ma
uonal Drunkenness to CRAFTY British cupdity. They
must consent to be made drunk drug, vastly
oaneiu than alcohol or be murdered BY the English
Al TINS very moment thousands are dying in Great
Britain of starv.tion, but the Government Of that
country prohibits he importation of bread ifs with
IN her European terrrorities. Were any nation to n-
tempt to force wholesome bread into the British
Islands as they have ate.oted to force opium into
China, it would be deemed jus. cause Of war Indeed
her whole policy and existence depend the restrict
ing and prohibitory system Yet this nation. which
upon free trade and maintains rigid prohlitory
policy, is butchering the Inofensive and peaceable
Chinese by thousands because that Government pro-
hbi.s the introduction of this supplying noxi-
eating, and baneful drug article Of traffic. We
ought not, perhaps, to be surprised at her insolence
and baIbary after what have heard of her slaugh-
ter and oppression in India"