Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-04-13
THE FUTURE OF CHINA.

Ue NeW J. OTh COUUtSTCtuC AUCtTttSeT mas
very interesting article upon China, portion of
which we publish below. Recent events upon
the Pacific coast of the United States are work
ing a revolution in the Celestial Empire Eng
land made the first breach into the wall of ex-
clusiveness within which China is entrenched
but the United States has awakened the Chinese
people from that lethargy which long years of
secusion had superinduced, and brought them
into beneficial conflict with the world:
"But we must look further for the causes that
have given the United States the advantage over
England in arousing the Chinese from their con-
tcmptuous Indifference towards all other nations
In the acquisition of California lay the secret of
that advantage. The fame of that golden re-
gion, and its comparative accessibility to the
Chinese, broke the spell of exclusiveness and of
the lethargy which had followed. The unvers-
al motor, self-interest was brought into play,
and what arms could not achieve, or treaties ac.
complish, was readily effected by this newly-a-
wakened power, and promises most gratifying
results. Mr.. Colden's letter shows, to our minds
at least that the Chinese who remain ut home
are beginning 10 see the effect of their country
mems intercourse with the outside world.
"The mode i'm which that intercourse operates
is readily comprehended The Chinese who
emigrate to California hold more or less com.
muncation with their families and friends du-
ring their absence. On their return home they
narratc what they have seen and heard. An in
erest respecting foreign nations is thus ava
kened; contempt for foreigners gives way be.
fore the testimony which their own cOuntrymen
give of the resources and progress of the " out
side barbarians." Thus barrier is broken
down which both missionaries and merchants
have SO long found to be insurmountabe-viz ::
the supercilious Indifference, the blended enmity
and pride, that refuse to receive instruction from
the lips Of foreigners. Now they learn from
those who can have no interest in deceivinc them
that there are other great people besides them.
selves other commerce than that transacted in
their ports; other forms of government and in
stitutions, working tremendously and happily
for the governed and now as Mr.. Colden's let
ter shows, the greatest triumph is achieved
from being Indifferent TO the counses of foreign
ers they have become attentive to them, and
from beingattentve they have become inquiring.
The Chinese mind is awakened, and "progress
has already commenced her march in the Cees-
tal Empire.
"Ten years ago who would have dreamed of
natives of that f1owcry land" working side by
side with Americans in the rugged toll of gold
digging, vcing with them in industry and power
of endurance, and scarcely if at all surpassed
by them in enterprise and impulsveness. Or
who would have tho't it possible that troupe
of Chinese conjurers and posture makers would
be making professional tour" through the
principal cities of the United States, and settling
Il family quarrel before police magistrate in the
city of New York. And who does not see that
This is but the commencement, of a new era in
the history of that vast teemng Empire. 1t is
utterly impossible that men upon whose vision
n new world has thus been opened can remain
unchanged in opinion, ia habits, or in knowl
edge. When the Chinese returns from pro.ita-
bic business in California-for it is scarcely
probable that the present generation of peo.
pie circumstanced as they have been will perma.
nently abandon their native land-but when
those who have sojourned among u.s. either in
our Pacific or Atlantic cities, return TO their
homes, it is impossible that they can be mute
respecting what they have seen and heard.
"They will be, in fact, so many missionaries
in the cause Of progress and Improvement. New
ideas will be infused into the public mind new
habits, new desires, new hopes, will supplant
those which have so long prevailed. Ambition
and emulation will be awakened, and when once
they begin to work, the change for China Is vir.
tually accomplished. Already the wall of ex.
clusiveness is partially broken down. The
breach, however, has been made from ,oitliin
not by the battering ram of besieging party
against whom the inhabitants are to man de.
terminedly hostile, and therefore to be repaired
at the very first respite in the assault, but by
! the inhabitants themselves, for their own exodus
from a confinement that became irksome anc
Improbable from the moment that American
energy revealed the treasures of the Ell Dorado