The New York herald., 1850-12-09

lfrom the London Chronicle, Nov 70
The chinese rebellion, as we suppose It mus,
than was first imagined BY the last accounts an
insurRent army Of 50 900 strong had marched with
IN 10 miles of Canton. One district town had
been sacked another, of greater importance, was
IN a state OF seige the imperial troops had been
repulsed with loss and the Governor Of the district
had fled in dsmay to Pekin. The effects Of these
revertes upon trade were most serious. An en-
barge had been placed upon the traffic OF the West
nver, end regular black mail was levied upon all
teas passing through the tracts occupied by the In
surgent force.
II would seem that the near approach Of the
rebels Of Canton has caused considerably more
anxiety to the Chinese themselves than to our own
country The local press Is concerned lie with
estimating the danger to British Interests, than in
tpeculating on the prospects Of British Intervention,
and on the objects Of the revolt On the latter head
nothing appears to be ascertained. Like the authors
OF every internal convulsion that has happened OF
late years In the Celestial Empire the conspirators
were suspected Of being connected with the various
revolutionary societies that have long been estab-
the Tartar dominion. But nothing in the conduct
Of the rebels themselves had given color TO so dig
nihed an hypothesis. IL they are no mere marau-
ders, they have most adroitly assumed that charac
ter Ii s true, indeed, that they permitted te az aud
merchandise to pass their lines, on payment OF a
certain fixed tribute but an enlightened sense OF
sefinterest may well have suggested the idea that
moderate levy on constant supply OF goods
which would probably divert altogether the
stream OF traffic from their quarters. Still less,
we fear, was 1t possible TO associate with their
cause hose aspirations after popular
long SINCE according to the consular correspondent
Of Liberal contemporary, the rising literau' OF
Young China. An administrative grievance had,
indeed, been started-but il was one having the
least possible affinity 10 the constitutional watch
words OF the learned Benthsmte. A summary
edict had ordered all opium smokers TO mend their
ways within hve months, on pain OF being beheaded.
But we do not hear that the rebel leaders have as
ynt seized the occasion TO exhor theif countrymen
to rally round their hookahs, and to stand up for
the rights Of free fumigaion; and, upon the whole,
we think It more probable that they will centeni
themselves with .pronouncing for free booty and
free quarters, and put the edict in their pipes and
smoke IL along with the opium.
There is, we conceive, need 10 commit the
soecism Of ascribng TO the Chinese the features OF
apeople arrived at the most mature stage OF con-
stitutional government, IN order TO recognize the
significance Of events such as that which has called
for bese remarks. The present revolt, indeed, may
and probably will be put down, just as the more
trivial riots Of las, year were put !5;,' down the
gold will probably achieve what arms fai TO
accomplish. But be that as II may, We may be as
sured that the very last resource OF which the Chr
nese Executive will avail itself will be the assist
ance Of Great Britain. No nation needs less than
the howery people to be reminded of the horse in
the fable, which called in the aid Of man against
the stag, end got sadded and bted for life as the
price Of his alliance. The mex! mail may, there
sent disturbance But IL IL not in their isolated
character that these outbreaks are to be regarded
as OF importance. The dynasty, II must be re-
membered, whose authority is attacked, and whose
treasury is drained by these disorders, though
long established on the throne Of Peking, is yet
en- alien race, ruling by the right of the sword,
and dependent for the continuance Of its au-
thcrity on the prestige Of conquest. That
prestige has, Of late years, been wofully di-
minished. In spite Of the hctions Of Chinese
Gdstffss, or the more sententious gascon-
ades of the Vermillon Pencil, we may feel
pretty sure that the campaigns 81 '45 and '46 have
gone far to strip the Tsrtars OF their military credit
in native estimation. They have already been re-
duced to call in British aid against the pirates who
were wont to scour the Chinese seas In open def
snce Of the Impecial fleets. II Is amidst these
humilisting proclamations Of organic weakness.
that series Of Internal disorders have sprung up,
which, originating, probably, in nothing but the
excesses Cf bandiIu, have, in time, occupied and