Polynesian., 1853-09-10


About two years ago, DR., Nathan Allen.
of Lowell, Mass published very able Asti-
Gle on the Opium Trade in the Eaa Indies.
1t has since, a we learn from the Boston
Journal, found its way into the East Indies.
and has been made the subject Of much crit,-
cism in the Bombay, Calcutta and Canton
papers, all Of which command its views. co.
dorse its positions, and pass upon the British
East India Company the most severe censurs
for persisting in contraband traffic. which
Is sowing broadcast among an entire people
the misery, degradation and death; enslaving
them BY habit more poten, and irresistible
than any other species Of intemperance, and
sending to premature and dishonored grave
annually, four hundred thousand human be-
ings. -
This trade is carried on under the autho-'
rity and regulations Of the East India Com-
pany, and sanctioned bv the direct legislation
Of the Imperial Parliament at home, notwith-
standing il is contraband trade, and forbiC-
den by the laws Of China under the most se-
we're penalties England thus places Lerself
in the disgraceful position Of nullifying the
commercial regulations Of an independent
foreign power, and forcing upon it against it,
will a most pernicious, demoralizing and
death producing trade.
While the Chinese Government has put
forth its most strenuous endeasors to exiin-
guish the accursed traffic.
British officials, authorized by law, and en-
couraged by government, through means Of
steamships and fast sailing clippers. persist
IN the trade, which is making them and their
government rich, at the fearful sacrifice Of
the Chinese people, body and soul
The Bombay Telegraph and Courier, Of
May lnh, 1852. makes the review Of Dr.
Aliens essay the occasion Of powe riul ar:
in these views. and holding up the conduct
Of the East India Company and the home
government, as connected with the trade, ia
very unenviable light.-The reviewer says:
"As an article Of commerce, opium stands
out without parallel. From the skilful
management and cultivation of about 100, 600
acres of land, the East India Company pros
duces an article which sold at profit Of
several hundred per cent, yields to them
net revenue, annually Of nearly three mil
lions sterling. We do not here include the
Malway opium--a seventh Of the whole
revenue of the country, raised from an ex-
tent of more than million Of square miles.
From the transport of this drug by few
vessels named opium clippers. few mercan-
tile houses are also realizing magnificent
profits, while the Chinese themselves. the
grand consumers of the drug, part with 6ve
or six million pounds sterling per annum.
The most astounding fact Of the opium
trade needs yet to be- specified, viz: thar
Christian sensibilities have not yet been ad-
eouately reused IN relation to its iniquities
and horrors.
That professedIy Christian government
should, by its sole authority, and on its sole
responsibility, produce drug which is not
only contraband, but essentially detrimental
to the best interests of humanity; that it
should annually receive into its treasury
scores Of rupees, which, if they cannot, save
by too liceniious figure, be termed the
price of blood yet are demonstrably the
price of the physical waste, the social wretch
edness and moral destruction of the Chinese;
and vet that no sustained remonstrances from
the press, secular or spiritual, nor from So
ciety, should issue forth against the unrigh-
the history of our christian ethics.
II is matter Of pride and qualification
that an American at such distance from the
location of the subject on which he treats.
has been able to produce pamphlet which
passes as authority, and elicits from an East
India paper Of high standing, the following
commentary upon its author.
"Whle he writes with the Indignation Of
a man, and the laithfulness Of Christian,
he shows nothing Of the partiality of an
American citizen. He has been at great
pains TO collect facts from Calcutta and Bonn
bay as well as China, to illustrate his sub
iect, and has altogether produced pamphlet
which certainly ought to be circulated exten-
sively among the European residents Of this
country.
"What unparalleled destruction! The inn
molations Of an Indian Juggurnath dwind!e
into insigni6cance before il! We again re-
peat, nothing but slavery is worthy TO be
compared for its horrors with this monstrous
sy stem Of iniquity. As we write, We are
amazed at the enormity of its unprincipied-
ness, and the large extent Of IFS destructive
ness. Its very enormity seems in some mea-
sure to protect it. Were it minor evil, il
seems as though one might grappls with it.
As it is, it is beyond the compass Of onr
grasp. No words are adequate TO expose -
evil, no fires Of indignant feeling are herce
enough to blast it.
The enormous wealth it brings INTO our
Golfers is its only Justification, the cheers Of
vice-enslaved wretches its only welcome;
the curses of all that is moral and virtuous
in an empire of three hundred and sixty mil
lions, attend its introduction; the prayers Of
enlightened christians deprecate It's course;
the Indignation Of all righteous minds is ito
only Godspeed.'
Ii takes with it fire and sword, slaughter
and death; il leaves behind il bankrupt for
tunes, idiotised minds, broken hearts and
m Al .,stn~ ocfs krs--