The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-01
From the Bufrdo Couner.
China aud the Chinese. a

China aud tho Chinese.
This fsroh couniry, which in times goss by has been
amos as uhchahxssoie N ihe sun, and which through
centuries unknown has apparently remained immula
Die IA It's social POLITICAL and religious poiiy any 'old
logy could desire, appears be aced npon BY The
spirit OF The age 10 be convulsed with revolution and
aftake oil The restlessness which marks the present
we learn from the Shanghai correspondence OF the New
York Commercial Advertiser, under date OF January 30
that The rebellion, which has become most formidable
anai 70 the government, 10 constantly gaining ground
ana Is ths a-absofblDg topic OF discussion both among
the foreign residents and The natives The rebel troops
are reported TO be but sixty miles from Nanka and Ien
iu' Their Chef has sent message 10 tie authorities OF
mat city announcing his intention 10 advance upon H.
and demanding lis capuation, which they have de-
cned They are fofutyDg 1t TO The best OF their ability
Nankln was the capital Of the empire before the down
lal OF the Ming dynasty aud Ten Tub has declared his
determination 10 reinslae il in It's former position. He
has also issued notice that he will be there the first
day OF The Chinese new year, which will be on February
The Slh TO worship al the tomb OF his imperial ancestors,
near That CITY, His has interrupted nearly all The
trade west and south Of Fucbau and Nankn and this has
so materially Affected The markets there that business has
been Tor month past quite at stand still Money Is IN
consequence difficult 10 be obtained the rates OF ex
change more disastrous, and The prices OF foreign imports
lower Than have been known since The opening OF hs
port 10 foreign commerce. Another has been as
signed TO account IN part for the slagnaon oil trade aud
that is the scarcity OF water in the canals IN the interior
so that boats with merchandise ply in neither direc
all business with the natives IS suspended for lew
weeks. Better times are confidently anticipated when
this annual holiday season has passed.
The rumors IN reference 10 the numbers OF the rebel
force are various and conflicting We have heard esli
mates from 10000 10 100 000 Suffice il say that they
are so brave and numerous that their progress has not
been checked IN any instance, nor have they been de-
fealed Tar have been able TO learn any single
engagement by the government troops. The latter are
remarkably inefficient. when there is great in
equality ~ point of numbers.
The OF the population are as Indifferent to change
OF government change of rulers, the French; and
they give themselves no uneasness al the prospects
their own lives and property would be secured to them
Indeed they ground the earth by oppressive tax
alton, and by the exac,ions Of the mandarns, or public
officers that many OF them think change be for
the worse. This aspirant the Dragon throne prom
lses reform in all these abuses In advancing his claim
he has one advantage in the minds OF The peoplehe is
inea descendant Of the native Chinese emperos who
held The throne before The Tartar conquest This fact
gives him some Importance, individual, in the est
nation OF the hundred Names for they often recur with
much affection and enthusiasm as a Chnamln can
feel TO the glore of the ancient im under the laws of
Han. The end OF these things is not yet.
The Chinese are peculiar people bat il this revou
hon or rebellion, or whatever IT may be called, conn
ues TO progress, they are in lar way TO have OF
their peculari,ies knocked Off The Courier and Eaqui-
rer judging from the last advces thinks ha, the Tartar
dynasty seems 10 be doomed destruction. Ii received
lis first heavy blow years ago in its with Eng gland
That war reduced lis finances TO the verge Of bankruptcy
but operated ye, more dsas,rously By destroying The
prestige which had before been attached TO the Tartar
race Ever since The accession OF the present young Epe
fof three years ago, an organized revolt has existed IN
certain parts oil the empire, and has been continually &C
curing strength. In the end it will probably prevail over
the present government, and reestsbsh the ancient dy
nasty upon the throne. The capture Of Pekin would be
sutcient TO effect this Tor China like France conro
ed to It's farthermost limits by centralized bureaucracy
and the party IN possession OF The metropolis the
entire empire But great results 10 be expected
from successful revelation. There wosld be changes
in The political administration OF the empire, but ia
its theory of government The civil 81 stem OF the
try purely raternal in its characitr regarding the
eeign aud people simply in the light OF father aud chill
dren and this system is associated with the whole past
history OF the and is the only one which is in
cordance with the national spirit Dynaslies may fall,
but the present constitution will undoubtedly endure
long China continues 10 be-what IL has been for
thousands OF years. united empire. The time IS
gone by when II Tema isolated nation. The
'outside barbaans have broken through the barriers
which ages have reared and euarded--commerce has
penetrated the borders of The Celestial empire and having
obtained ioohold will not yield It's vantage ground
China is doomed-ihat is, her ancient policy doomed TO
experience change IL is decreed that the things OF the
far past ages which remote in the days Of
historical antiquity, shall pass away, and that Others shall
take their place.