Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-06-01
REVOLUTION IN CHINA.


doce and peaceful people of that human hive
partake of the agitation of our era, and that the
flames of rebellion now light up the valleys they
inhabit, threatening even the destruction OF the
Imperial rule which has borne uninterrupted
sway for over two centuries. China has been
the theatre of quasi-rebellion for two or three
years. But little authentic intelligence has how
ever, reached us in respect to its progress. For
some time the most trustworthy came through
Mr.. Glutzlaff, the German missionary, whose re-
cent death has been widely deplored Since his
death, the best accounts have come to us thrO'
the English residents at Hong Kong About a
year since we published news received by way
of California, to the effect that the rebellion had
been at least partially suppressed, and its prin-
cipal leaders executed. This, however, was
contradicted on the next arrival, and now we
learn by the accounts received from Europe,
that the revolution is advancing with rapid
strides, and has already become Of the most for
mdable character. 1t originally commenced in
Kuansi and Kuangtung, 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 to-
ward and near to its mouth, till the insurgent
army, 10000 strong, has entered and taken pos
session of the great city of Nankin, containing
above half million of inhabitants. The rebels
may thus be said, if our accounts are true, to
hold possession Of the very heart Of the En-
pire.
Their entry into the city of Nankn was made
on the 10Th of February. II is very evident
from the progress of the insurgent force, and
the capture by it of one of the three principal
cities of the country, that it is headed by CON-
handing spirit, and considering the long time it
has been gathering, and its steady approach to
the capital (Pekin) through the populous dis
trcts Of the empire, till it has achieved its pres
ent formidabe'position, we are forced to regard
its prospects of subverting 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 feeling sympathy with ev-
cry thing that looks like movement among the
stagnant waters Of Chinese history. 1t can hard
| ly be otherwise than that successful revOlu-
| ton which would overturn the Government and
stir the vast and unwieldy mass of human be-
| ings who inhabit the immense territory of Chi
na would be productive of good Some such
internal CONFUSION seems to be absolutely nee
essary to clear the mephitic atmosphere which
surrounds and envelopes the nation.
| So far as we can discover, the revolution ap-
pears to have had its foundation in sentiment
of reform. 1t has proceeded upon the ground
that the country was misgoverned, OvertaXed,
and generally oppressed The revolutiOnists
thus aim, professedy at lettering the condition
of the people, The head of the expedition is
known by the name of Tien-teh. We are not
aware that he or his followers profess republi-
can sentiments or propose to inaugurate the rule
of the People in the event of success. This is
too much to expect. But change 10 the head
of the government from one claiming to be the
descendant of the Sun and brother of the
Moon, to man elevated from the common mass
Of humanity, by the exertions of ordinary flesh
and blood, and Chinese at that, would be n
change looking in the direction of responsible
and republican government, by no means to be
despised. On the whole we confess, therefore,
that our sympathies are with the revoutionists
of China N. Y. Tribune.
| SANTA ANNA-This restless individual is des-
tined to give the world trouble yet. He has as
sumed the dictatorship of Mexico, and has al
ready abolished the representative features Of
| the government, ond has substituted fer it a
council of his own tools and understrappers.-
His next important step will doubtless be the
seizure Of the Church revenues and property, as
that has always been with him favorite meas
ure. This will without doubt lead to an open
trial, in which Churchmen and their friends will
become arrayed against the head Of Government.
The element of population with which Santa
Anna has to deal, is the weakest and most
worthless in the world. The people are given
up to those vices which deplete moral, physical
and intellectual strength, and leave the masses
in the power of any adventures having address
and sbrewdness. Santa Anna has both of these
qualities in full perfection, and combined with
them entire freedom from moral restraint, and
the most boundless thirst for power. He will
accordingly be ready to do anything in the world
which will render him popular with his country
men, whose tastes call for constant excitement,
and to whom the glitter of military leadership is
more attractive than all solid and sober quail
ties. Whether the population of Mexico will
be inclined to sustain their Dictator against the
Catholic to which they are bound by hereditary
allegiance, is question which time alone can
solve, but there is little doubt that the expert
ment will be tried.
AS regards the foreign policy of the Mexican
Dictator, this country has nothing TO expect ex-
cept the btterest and most incorporating hos
tility but inasmuch as that hostility is not coup
led with the power to injure, that circumstance
| - IL Al IL