The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-19
Chinese Affairs.

-,o.rl,, interesting Until very recently, the
character and purpose of the revolution now
yo;ne ON in that distant empire, has been an
enigma. 1t was supposed. however, to be
mere civil war. waged by ambitious men to
elevate themselves to power. The movement
was set on foot by TAPPING wang, which sig
n;6es Prince of Peace, and seems to be al
MOST exclusively of religious character
yrom the last advices, it seems to be placed
l,ovo,s doubt that the insurrectionists are
,chr;s,;ous. whose aim is to abolish heather
ism, in that country and 10 Introduce high
er and purer standard of morals and belief.
II does not appear that either the American
mr. British Ambassadors had taken sides Tor
or against the rebels, but appear to stand
neutral between the contending parties. On
the 18th of April, in reply to an application
from the American residents OF shanghai
dated the 14th asking whether, IN the event
of American property being destroyed or
plundered by the rebels, We should be ena-
bled. through the United States Government,
to recover the value thereof? Mr. Hum
phrey Marshall, our Ambassador, says IN
substance that the rights and duties OF Anne
riean residents are settled by treaty, and that
they are by treaty assured of the special pro-
lection of the Chisese Government III peace
ably attending to their affairs
The obligation to protect implies the use of
means adequate to afford protection. There
FORE if a citizen failing to receive protection
shall make demand upon the Consul, as pro-
yided by treaty, the Chinese Government
will be liable for any loss by lawless violence,
and the United States would make reclama-
ton of such loss from China. Should the
Chinese Government announce their inabili-
ty to protect, the United States would protest
the declaration and extend that protection
which China failed to afford, still holding the
Government responsible. Mr.. Marshall, there
fore, advises all resident Americans to live
strictly within the letter of the treaty, and to
repose upon the vigilance and good faith of
their own Government.
Rumors had for long time prevailed that
Nankin was in the hands of the insurgents,
and that Shanghai was about to be attacked.
But as nothing definite was known as to the
position of the rebels the American steam
frigate Susquehanna was sent up the Yang
tse-Kiang in April to obtain, if possible, some
definite information, but from her draught of
water was unable to get up so far and re-
turned, having accomplished nothing. But
the uncertainty still existing at Shanghai, and
the people being in constant dread of attack,
Sir G. Bonham determined to go up in person
NJ g C&a
remained five days at Nankin in communica-
ton with the insurgents, (who had been in
possession of the place more than a month";
and returned to Shanghai on the 5th of May.
They were still in possession June 1st, that
being the latest date from Shanghai.
The Hermes brought the astonishing infor-
nation, that the insurgents were Christians,
of the Protestant form of worship, and anti
idolaters in the strictest sense-"not merely
formal professors of religious system, but
practical, spiritual Christians, deeply inau-
enced by the belief that God is always with
them" We must receive these statements
with a little discount, as they come from
Protestant source, and would seem to imply
that no Catholic could be spiritual Chris
tan, or hater of idolatry. Wemay wei re-
cal in considering this point, the fable in
which a lion was shown the picture of a man
standing upon PROSTATE lion: How do you
think, said he, ''the picture would have been,
if lion had painted it." This idea of the
Chinese revolution arising from religious mo-
tives, has been rumored before and we think
we have spoken to that effect, but until the
present time, we have heard nothing definite
or reliable. There seems now, no doubt that
there is at least religious, reformatory spirit
OF some sort, at the bottom of the movement.
But we think it quite as likely to have origi-
mated in doctrines inculcated by the Cathohc
missionaries, as Protestant. Certainly the
former had foot-hold in the country cen
tury before the first Protestant missionary
ever entered China.
But we think it extremely doubtful whether
the insurgent Chinese have yet gone so far in
polemie theology as to have settled upon any
exact creed or system of religious belief
They viii have ample time for this kind of
hair splitting, when the war is over
As Sir George Bonham approached Nankin
the river was stresyn with the floating frae-
ments of wooden idols, like the figure heads
of ships, scattered from wrecks" He suc.
ceeded in obtaining on shore, some of the re-
hgious books in circulation among the new
sect, and it was impossible to douhtt that they
are drawn from. the Christian Scriptures.
somewhat modified, SO as to adapt themselves
TO the manners OF the Chinese. For instance
in the commentary on the seventh command
ment, smoking opium is laid down as included
under the crime of adultery. The prayers to
be used by the faithful are expressly offered,
Through the merits of our Saviour and Hea-
yeniy Brother the Lord Jesus, who redeemed
US from sin. The form of praise is evidently
taken from the Christian Doxology; the OBJ
seryance of the Sabbath Is enioined; and the
whole dispensation of the Old and New Tes-
taments is set forth in poem called the
-Trimetrieai Classic which is described as
a most singular production. The insurgent
sect il said to be irreproaehable in point of