The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-14
THE CHINESE EMPIRE.

there can be no doubt that important changes at
hand in the fortunes and destiny of this great en-
pre- the most ancient and populous on the face Of
the globe.
We have given various details Of the progress Of
the civil war, and the proclamations Of the COM
manders of the rebel army, acting in behalf OF the
Celestial Dynasty" Chinese family, who aspire
to the crown and aim at the expulsion of the pre-
sent Tartar dynasty, which has occupied the i'm
peral throne for little over two centuries These
accounts and documents exhibit the hatred OF the
Chinese towards their Tartar rulers; and the un-
reserved terms In which they speak Of those in
power az Mantchou robbers and barbarians,"
show that the leaders Of the rebels have no hopes
but in complete success in their objects as COM
promise or Cancellation with the present govern
ment must be impossible. 1t Is therefore war OF
races and, judging from the past history OF China,
and the progress Of the present rebellion thus far,
we should say that the prospects are favorable for
change Of rulers in the empire-in other words, the
downfall Of the Tartar and restoration of the
Chinese dynasty.
When we speak Of the Chinese empire, we COM
prise the whole territory which acknowledges that
govemment-namey China proper, containing
100000 square miles, and the dependencies, which
cover an area of about 100000 square miles,
making the area Of the whole empire about 100000
square miles. Though the dependencies, consisting
Of Chinese Tartary, Tibet Little Bucharia and the
peninsula of Corea, are three times the extent OF
China ITSELF in other respects they are vastly infe-
rior to it, being in great proportion comparatively
deserts with struggling and rapacious population
perhaps, altogether, not one-tenth in number of
those Of China proper. But for the security of the
empire it is necessary that the wandering hordes of
these countries should own the Chinese sway; for
otherwise, the frontier provinces might become
scene of carnage and devastation, by the frequent
inroads Of these barbarians, as was formerly the
case, Though such line Of policy is exceedingly
palatable to Q Chinese statesman, the wandering
tribes whom it concerns do not agree SO fully upon
the subject to be quiet spectators when their ter
rory is incorporated with that of the great nation.
They have frequently shown very refractory spirit
towards the Celestial rulers, and far forgotten the
loyalty they to the political father Of mankind
Heavens Son-as to shake off the yoke imposed
upon them. In such cases, the Chinese diplomatic
body does not Immediately declare war, but only
issues preliminary edicts, considering paper and
ink cheaper than powder and shot, and dictate
rial sentences more harmonizing than The roar Of
cannon.
If these paternal admontions, however, will not
quiet these fierce and stupid barbarians, an army
slowly advances, battle is fought, either imaginary
or in reaiity-for this matters nothing all depends
on the flaming accounts which are inserted in the
Pekin Gazette If, after all the victories on record,
the rebels not yet extirpated, the efficacy Of sill
yer and gold is tried upon the principal leaders, and
it is worthy of remark that these metals possess
greater efficacy to infict q mortal wound upon the
heart than even steel and lead. The immediate re-
SUM- Of such measure is generally surrender Of the
leaders, who begin to be pierced by repentance and
to experience the Transforming influence Of the
Celestial empire. The warlike mandarins are then
at liberty to give some proofs of their valiant dspo-
sion by cutting off the heads of prisoners and send
ing few famous characters to Peking that the
Emperor may exercise his paternal clemency by
cutting them piecemeal. The chiefs who have
proved traitors to their countrymen, are, on the
other hand, highly honored and rewarded, but kept
under strict surveillance, and on the slightest
pcion removed to the other world.
Such have been the measures whereby these tickle
barbarians, principally Tartars, have been kept in
due subsection, even under Tartar dynasty. Mar
rage alliances with the imperial family fits the most
eminent and powerful Mongo Tartar princes for the
Chinese throne. The Lamas of Thibet are bound to
advocate the Chinese interests among their country
men because the present imperial family avors their
religion and pays the utmost generation to the
Grand Lama, the ancestors Of the Emperor having
been worsppers Of that religion The present civil
war, however, is of different character from the
contests of the imperial government with the barba-
rians Of Tartary. The rebellion commenced, and is
carried On, in China proper, and as we have said is
a contest between the Chinese and their Tartar
rulers, who occupy towards them similar position
with that of the Norman cOnquerors of England to-
wards the Anglo-Saxons, in the eleventh century.
One of the insurgent or rebel generals, in his
proclamation, styles himself "Yang-se thsing,
specially appointed General of the Grand
Army, engaged in sweeping away the Tar
tars, and establishing the new dynasty and
declares" the General, in obedience to the royal
commands have put in motion the troops for the
punishment Of the oppressor; and in every place
which l have come, the enemy at the first report
have dispersed like scattered rubbish. As soon as
city has been captured, have put to death the ra
pacous mandarins and corrupt magistrates therein
but have not injured single individual of the peo
pie; so that all of you may take of your fam
lies, and attend to your business without alarm and
trepidaton. l would wish to ask those of you who
have given Of your money, and aided with your pro-
visions, the Mantchou government, in order to pur
chase titles and official dgnitics, what is the glory
OF such distinctions? / and my followers are all
subjects Of the great Chinese Empire, and students
Of the books handed down by the great sages Of an
tquity; how, then could we stoop to receive rank |
ard emolument from these Mantchou barbaiians? |
When l, the General have led forward my troops
to the destruction Of the Mantchous will deliberate
further about the examinations, in which every.
thing shall be re-arranged according to the original |
customs of the Chinese &c.
One of the most celebrated of the ancient Chinese
philosophers, Mencius who fourished about a GEN.
tury after Confucius, (450 b. CO. remarks that
the hearts of the people are the only legitimate
foundations Of empire, or Of permanent rule II,
when with an equal strength you invade a corntry