Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-09-05
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
rrrrsnAY MoRNING. sErrEMnER 5. lsas.
Mr.. Cushing-ihe Antelope.


upon whom appearances are calculated To make
so great an impression. rs the Chinese. Wrap
ped up in their own dignity and self.importance,
believing themselves so far superior to the other
nations of the globe, think that the term See
lestal.'' as applied To their empire, and "Barba-
rians," rs dcnoting all other people in the world,
is Justly descriptive of their relative position;
thew are sure to scrutnse with curious eye
the history of the Representatives of those ma
tons who wish TO open an intercourse with them,
and not less certain To award him that portion of
respect, which they find he has received IN his
own country. II should he of the last Importance
then, in opening trade with these jealous semi
barbarianS. TO select some man as an agent of the
very highest standing among his countrymen at
home. Oriental Nations, have, all of them, n
proneness worship great qualities, and defer to
high reputation, which is unknown, in the same
degree, to their Western Brethren. The very re-
putation of Alexander, secured him many blood
less victory: and the imaginative inhabitants OF
the East. gave to Napoleon the title OF Sultan Re
lin. or "kng of the fire. as though his progress
were as irresistible as that devouring element.
The imagination, with them, never fails 10 take
the reins of the Judgment, and, in treating with
them. it is of the last Importance, to address that
faculty, as the predominant power.
It appears To us. that the Executive of the L.
States. could not have made more unfortunate
selection of Minister to the Celestial Empire,
than the one upon whom his choice has fallen.
Within the last eighteen months that individual
has made himself notorious to all the world, by
setting up at public auction, the party To which he
belongs, to his own eternal infamy, and the shame
of his employers SO intensely did his conduct
stink, in the noStrls of all honorable men, that
whenhe proposed TO the Senate for post in the
Cabinet. parties the very antipodes OF each other
in every other respect, united in resisting this foul
stain upon the honor of the country We look
upon this rejection one OF the most crcditable
acts the Senate has performed since the COM
mencement of the Jackson era. Ii proved that
though factions mi ght exist IN that body, though
scarcely any conceivable subject could be present
ed To its consideration. which would not split il
into SectS and parties though different habits, va
rious associations, and opposite views, led TO an in
finite diversity Of opinion. yet when dishonor came
under their observation, it found no division among
them They all rose like man, and attacked
it as common enemy. The character of their
country seemed to be involved in their zeal for its
I
that country.
1t is this man, thus branded by public dsapproba-
ton, that acting President Tyler has thought pro-
per to send rs Ambassador TO the proud and high
/ spirited Chinese. 1t is this man, whom his own
counrymcn will not touch save with a pair of
tongS, that he has deputed to open a negotiation
with the Brother of the Sun and the first Cousin of
the Moon. 1t is this auctioneer Of Executive ia
vor, with all the corruption of the Palace Slowing
from every PORE that he has chosen as the fit asso.
ciate for the Diplomatic corps of England of
France, and of Russia The effect this must
have upon the success of his mission, is apparent
at once. He who is treated with contempt at
home will find no favor abroad. If the President
had wished to thwar; the wishes Of the mercan.
tile community, he could not have fallen upon any
course better calculated TO ensure that result.
All this is bad enough but the choice of YES.
sci, by his Secretary, Mr. Fletcher Webster, rem.
ders the matter infinitely worse. China has Just
been engaged in bloody contest with Great Bri.
tain, originating in attempt on the part of GER
tain subjects of the latter, to smuggle opium into
the ports of the Celestial Empire. The Antelope
is built "ior the opium trade in other words, for
smuggling opium into China;--and this is the
vessel Mr.. Webster has thought fit to secure his
passage in! Truly, this is one way Of recon-
mcnding ourselves to the favor Of the Chinese
Government He IT, it seems, to be- merchant
in China, afterwards An opium merchant, we
presume; in other words, he is not content with
the labors of a demdiplomatist, but is TO unite
the more honorable, and, we presume, more profit.
able profession Of a smuggler But we will let
the Globe speak for rs; for that paper can speak
TO the purpose when it will.
DIPLOMACY AND SMUGGLING
We copy the following from the Balumore Sun:
TIN AwELoT.-Wo observe It alleged in some Of the
papers that this beautiful yescwhch hos ELECTED such uni.
ycro admiration for elegance Of construction and sailing
qualities aud which carries Mr. Fletcher Webster sec.
Rotary the Chinese legauon-was built with view her
future employment in the opium traffic Of the Chinese
The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser has the following re-.
marks on the subject
"'lhc same papers that warmly commend the Ante.
LOPEZ tc while ago loud aud just their indignant
tcnuncaJu 81 England, for UNFOLDING those OF her PEG.
pie who were engaged ~ smuggling opium into China
soulundb ydcsoyug traffic; scarcely leu infamous
than the African savetradc; aud the symp1hics nearly
night thinking with the Chinese, IN their efforts
osuppe,s be- but not word Of bestowed on
those Of our counymon who build vessels for the same in.
orna. traffic"
What fine promise our commerce has, in ic late com.