Washington telegraph., 1853-06-01
Revolution in China,

VI all the countries in the world, the last to
which one would naturally loo K for revolution
is CHINA. But it seems that the habituallv docile
and peaceful people of that human hive partake
oil the agitation OF our era and that the flames of
rebellion now light up the valleys and mountains
they nhabit threatening even the destruction Of
the imperial rule which has borne uninterrupted
sway there for over two centuries China has
been the theater of quasi rebellion for two or
three years. But little authentic intelligence has
however, ever reached US in respect to its pro-
gress- For some time the most trust-wortbv
| came through Mr.. Gutzlaf the German Mission
ary whose recent death is widely deplored -
Since his death the best accounts have come to us
through the English residents at Hong Kong
About a year since we published news, received
by way of California, to the effect that the rebel
hon had been at least partially suppressed and its
principal leader executed. This however. was
contradlcted on the next arrival. and now we
! learn by the accounts received from Europe yes
terday that the revolution is advancing with rapid
strides and has already become of the most FORM
liable character. 1t originally commenced in
Kwangsl and kwangtung the two most southerly
provinces of the Empire, in the latter of which
the City of Canton is situated. Thence it has
penetrated northward for seven hundred miles
and upward, till it has reached the Yangotse the
/ great river OF China, and down its valley toward
and near its month, till the nsurgent army fifty
thousand strong, has entered and taken possession
of the great city Of Nankin, containing above
half million of inhabitants. The rebels may
thus be said If our accounts true to hold pos
session of the very heart OF the Empire
Their entry into the city of Nankin was made
on the 10th OF February 1t is very evident from
the progress OF the InSurgent force. and the cap-
ture by it OF one of the three principal cities of
the country, that it is headed by commanding
spirit and considering the long time it has been
gathering, and its steady approach to the CAPITAL
lPekin through the populous districts of the en-
pire. till 1t has achieved its present formidable
position, we are forced to regard its prospects of
subvertins the existing dynasty as exceedingly
promising. We know not what would be gained
by the success of the rebels and the overthrow of
the present Government, but we cannot help feel
| ing sympathy with every thing that looks like
movement among the Staguant waters of Chinese
history, 1t can hardly be otherwise than that
successful revolution which would overturn the
| Government and stir the vast and unwieldy mass
of human beings who inhabit the immense terri
tory of China, would be productive of good. Some
such internal CONFUSION seems to be absolutely
necessary to clear the mephitic atmosphere which
surrounds and enve!ops the nation.
So far as discover, the revolution an
pears to have had its foundation in sentiment of
reform. 1t has proceeded upon the ground that
the country was msgoyerned. overtayed and
generally oppressed. The revoutionists thus aim
professedy at bettering the condition of the peo-
pie. The head of the expedition is known by the
name OF Iien-teh. We are not aware that he or
bis followers profess republican sentiments or pro-
pose to inaugurate the rule of the People in the
event of success. This would be too much to ex-
| pect. But change in the head of the govern
ment from one claiming to be the descendant of
| the Sun and the brother of the Moon, TO man
| elevated from the common mass of humanity by
the excrtions of ordinary flesh and blood, and
Chinese at that would be change looking in
the direction of responsible and Republican gov
ernment by no means to be despised. On the
whole we confess, therefore, that our sympathies
are with the Revolutionists of China.
IN Y. Iribnne