Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-08-16

The Bey OF Tunis has prohibited the.
exporta,ion of brcadstufs from the Bar
barry States; in consequence Of the ap
pretended deficiency in the crops III
that country.
From the Alta Californian.
Chinese Assumption Of Jurisdiction.
A few days since controversy between
Chinamcn brought 10 the knowledge OF the
community the existence in our midst ot pc
cullnr organization amongst the natives OF the
celestial Empire, which has startled some, ana
been laughed at by others, the former class iea-
ring for ultimate results should such organiza-
ton continue, the latter rather dispocd to fos.
ter It. from a belief, in the perfect harmless.
ness Of our friend John Chinaman, and his IN
ability to do any damage to society by being
suffered to manage his own affairs az they are
termed, in his own way. A few facts in the
history of Chinese settlement in barbarian ter.
ritory, may serve to give color to the apprehen-
sions of the one, aud to modify the mirth Of the
two classes mentioned, and yet not absolutely
confirm tho opinions of either.
Very little need be said about the peculiar
institutions of China. and the views when are
en.crtaided by the Inhabitants Of the govern
ment and laws OF nations or people other than
their own-a fair conviction that in all respects
they are superior to the whole earth, and that
wherever they may plant themselves in their
good pleasure, they are at least wiser than their
neighbors, has led them 10 demand in all cases
from the authorities ruling over the places they
have planted themselves, the right to be gov.
erned by their own laws and customs, rs exs.
ting in their own highly favored land, de-
mand which was at first acceded To by the SPAN
ish Dutch, md British rulers in their respec-
tive col, MICS.
An outbreak IN Manila, in Singapore, aud
desperate attempt to murder the Dutch author
tiles in Batavia-under circumstances which
will be dctailed,-led to most important modi
fcatons Of the privileges granted to the 'wisest
and best Of mankind;" and now while to a
certain extent they are permitted to indulge in
their fondness for old customs, they are placed
Under restrictions and compelled TO observe
subscrvlency to the laws Of the people am 'nsst
whom they dwell, which has served to control
their propensites to that riot and disorder that
has even marked their career when they pos
sessed real or fanced impunity.
In Batavia Japanese had been murdered by
Chinaman in the most cold blooded and de.
lberae manner The murderer was seized by
the Dutch officials for the purpose of trial and
punishment, and lodged in prsion for safe kee-
ping. Against this proceedinsa protest was
entered by the head Chinese, coupled with u
demand for the delivery of the criminal to them
to be tried and dealt with according 10 the code
established under the immediate sanction o.
the authorities. After some hesitation tht
Dutch Governor consented to place the guilt!
party in the hands Of h S conntrymen, with tn,
understanding that they would see that jus
tice was done in the premises. And Indeed
representations were made after short laps
of time that the offender had suffered the pen
. atty Of his crime.
Not a great while thereafter the individual
s of the so favored tribe was detected in tht
act Of committing robbery, having stabbed
D Japanese as he had supposed fatally, in orde
TO enable him to eff ct his object
4 This individual was recognized to be tn
same who had committed the previous offence
+ and he was accordingly taken charge of by tn
t authorities, to be dealt with according to tn
fashion Of the Hollaaders. A second deman
g was made for him by his brethren, which wa
S CT course refused This refusal, although me
with expressions of Indignation, was ap
c parently acquiesced in, but few days {
). repose from tho previously y existing ag
r taiion on the subject was followed by
/ sudden insurrection Of the Chinese j
!. tho dead Of the night. The Governor
house was attacked and enterel, wit
a the avowcd determination Of put,ing hin
!. to death, a fate which he luckily escaped
|. The prison was assaulted, happily witt
e out success, and the time spent upo
n this aborlive effort gave opportunity I
II the military and the resident European
to band themselves together and to var
y quish their assailants, after sevel
struggle. In Manila and Singapo,
ID almost similar occurrences have take
< place, and this brief outline will ser,
t. to show that the system of indulgene
m granted to tho native Of China was
false and an unsafe one, and that the G,
=, isteuce Of an "Imperium in imperio"
N not compatible with good order.
1t Here such scenes are not likely to I
en-. cted, the disp :oportion Of the nun
,r bers Of the Chinese to those Of the "ou
N side barbarians" will deter them frol
m making any effort to from separa
n organization-and so far we are safe
but it is acknowledged by the leadir
D. Chinese here that one Of their numb,
has exercised magisterial authority
IN Furnishing some Of his countrymen wi,
at the bastinado, for thehs committed b
them, an exercise Of jurisdiction whic
ID they now condemn, aud which they SO
= will not again be permitted. Viii
lie there is excuse TO be found in the ign
S, rance Of our laws and Of our languat
le for what appears to us to be high.haI
!. ded course Of action on the part Of Il
Of head men who control the Chinese to
m great extent, it is rot for a moment 1
be suffered that any or all Of them shoul
rs take upon themselves judicial attribute
!. and il is a source Of cUngratul alton th
v. recent developments have led to wa