The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-20

by granting licences TO those who retail the drug
would bring the consumers, TO some extent, under
the control Of the police, and the iEordinate sm k+I
could be punished by small fine, as drunhards are
punished in other countries
Pursuing a holder course, the Emperor may de-
termine TO Suppress the trade entirely. lie would
have 40 great difficulty in capturing the foreign
receiving ships al the various stations conf SC itIn
vessels and caTeoes, and sending the crews 10 the
Consuls OF their respective countries. And were
such measures adopted, possibly the trade would be
abandoned by those who are now engaged in it,
But what would be the consequences? Ii would
fail into the hands of desperate a,lventurers and the
coast would swarm with vessels under the flags of
various European powers, setting the Chinese navy
~ dthance, and carrying ON the traffic under pro-
lection OF their guns No force that China could
faise, would be strong enough suppress the trade
and While, IN extent, II WAS great as ever il
would he accompanied with violence aud crime
! he evil would be increased before two wears
hcd elapsed, screw-propellers would be brought
into play and opium prove more lucrative than il
now Is. Great Britain has failed in her eudeayors
10 pu. down the slave Trade ca the coast Of Africa
her mistaken humanity mas actually increased The
horrors OF that iniqutous traffic. If, with her i'm.
mense naval power, she has been unable to put an
end TO the slave trade, what chance would China
have in dealing with that in opium.
well appointed European vessel, with steam
power 10 propei her in Gains, would set the whole
navy of China at defiance. Some good meaning
people say, let England prohibit the growth OF the
poppy III india, and pass act by which II Is piracy
TO carry opium IN British vessel, and then the
trade will cease. But this is a fallacy Putting
aside the question as to whether England can, with
any degree of justice TO her Indian subjects, pro-
hibit the cultivation of plant which was grown
largely in Indian countries before che had foot
OF territory in the East, and without disputng the
absurdty OF making any branch of commerce
crime, we ask would these extreme measures put
an end 10 the opium trade ! Most assuredly they
would not The poppy would be cultivated else
where, and opium which be brought 10 China under
a score of flags over ,,hom England has no con-
troll Were England mistress of the weird, the
proposition might be entertained by reasoning
practical minds-end not day sooner.
But the Emperor may be contented to allow
matters 10 rest as they now sre-contented 10 sub
nit TO evils with which he fears to grapple.
Keying aud Lin are both in office, and influential
councillors. The first, il is supposed, is favorable
TO the legazaiion Of the trade, were il Only from
a conviction that it cannot be put down. The
second has always been opposed 10 il, and we have
not heard that past experience has modified the
extreme views with which he came to Canton in
1879 The whole host Of officials in the maritime
provinces are interested in the present unsasfac-
tory system; they will advocate the policy of
leaving matters they now are. The question is
beset with difficulties, and the genuine friends of
peace, order and morality will look anxiousy for
A solution in the determination of youth under
twenty years OF age.