Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-15
rhe Civil MsT In China.

The accounts of the civil war in China and its
purposes hive been so indistinct that we are at 8
loss to make out an entirely satisfactory narrative
from the various relations. 1t seems that for two
or three wears the provinces Of Qnang-sl and
Onano- ng.-the former containing population
of 7.3l3.S95 and the latter l9, l47 ,030, --haye
been in rebellion against the Imperial government
The INSURGENTS. in all likelihood, were natives and
inhabitants of these regions, and although Quang
tong ia the one in which the great commercial
CITY of Canton lies, it is somewhat singular that
their objects and successes have not been more
clearly revealed to foreigners. Perhaps the rebels
SOUGHT TO avoid the coasts and strike at the heart
of tho empire At all events, this seems to have
been their policy, for within the space of time we
have indicated, they trayersed oRe-haif Of China
with somewhat extended force of forty or fifty
thousand men, until they tested the strength Of
their sovereign in twelve out Of eighteen of his
provinces.
From this sketch ofth geographical move
ments of the rebels, and an examination of the sta
tistics of China, we find that out of the entire
Chinese population of 367 ,632 907, fully 2o7 )
632. 9O7 have been effected by the revolt, so that
there are only about S0,000000 to give in their
adhesion The quick movements of the revou-
tionists spread alarm throughout all the opulent
cities and districts. Accustomed as the Manda
rims have been to occasional outbreaks almost year
ly, they were paralyzed by the superior energy
and martial power, of the present. The insur
gents plundered no one They seem TO have es-
tablshed rigid and forbearing rule, by which the
good will of the conquered was concilated. Ac-
cordingly las they passed to the north, they were
not obliged to weaken their forces by garrisoning
the captured cities. They left good name be-
hind them as their lieutenant. Over the doors Of
several female schools they set up red papers, de-
claring them to be ~places where young females
reside; and should any one presume to enter, in
disorderly manner, he will be beheaded!" Their
army was regularly divided, subdivided, differed
and drilled. The leader is said. by some writers,
to be person named Tien-Tih, while others
speak of Hung seuT seuen, who assumes the title
OF Facilitating King. He is stated to be only for
ty one years of age and, from his red face, sandy
beard, and birth in the province of Canton, very
probably mingles some foreign blood in his Asatic
veins. Such is the position of the insurgents as
far as we have been able to ascertain it from the
unsatisfactory and fragmentary statements sent BY
the last packets. 1t seems that they had been in
variably victorious over the Government forces,
and that their numbers were augmented as they
rolled on.
But our readers must naturally be curious to
know upon what principles, and by what promis-
es a revolution has been so successfully conducted
from such small beginnings. We regret that it
is not the fashion in China to issue regular Dec
larations oflndependence. But from occasional
hints in the proclamations issued by the revou-
tioniss. we Judge that the old national hatred of
the Chinese against their Manchou Tartar con-
querors, has had no small share in fomenting the
rebellion when once kindled. Despotism, mis-
rule, local oppression. taxatioh-are all spoken Of
as no longer endnrable.
Another proclamation discloses a different and
surprising spirit as animating the patriots. 1t is
evidently the work of Chinese who have enjoyed
the benefit of Christian education and it appears
that their teachings prevail over popular supersti-
ton, for. as the army advances, it destroys the
dolatrous images, and wages an Unsuitable cona-
clasm against heather temples. The pare theol
ogy of Confucius, stimulated by Missionary yea,
has, at last, struck a deadly blow at Buddhism
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