Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-06-15
THE CHINESE REVOLUTION.

There is no longer any doubt China is convul-
sed TO it's centre by Revolution. An insurgent
army, commencing in the extreme south of the
Empire, has swept northward, on a line Of five
hundred miles in length, till it has overrun half
of the country and passed the great river, which,
running east and west divides it nearly in the
middle. The commanding general at the head
Of the rebel army has issued proclamation, in
which he bids defiance to the reigning dynasty,
and demands that the people everywhere shall
flock to his standard, or at least manifest no hos
tility, under penalty of condign punishment
That his language conveys no unmeanlng threat
is manifest in the quiet submission of numer-
Gus powerful cities and towns, and in the gen.
eral CONSERVATION that every where pervades the
royal forces and the great circles Of trade. We
hear of the precptate flight of the wealthy the
closing of marts of business, and general fever
of excitement among agrculturists, mechanics,
merchants, and every other class of people,
while the regular troops sent to quell the re-
beion are either absorbed by the revolutionary
forces or retire before their steady approach to
the Capital Meantime, the ENJOYS Of England
and France, and our own Commissioner, have
proceeded to the theatre of hostilities in nation
al ships, and a special Russian Envoy has been
despatched over land At Shanghai, which is
the great central seaport Of the Empire, trade
and business of all sorts were suspended, and
here the foreign ships were congregating. Nam
kin had not actually fallen at last advices but its
capitulation was daily expected From other
important cities large sums of money had been
sent to the rebel chief to secure them from mo-
lestation and plumber
This last circumstance gives solidity and
vigor to the movement that under competent
leadership, would seem to ensure its triumph
II the insurgents have grown to such strength
that they can command all the money they
need, they have success within their grasp, if
the nation really desires to be rid of their Tartar
rulers.
Although the British Consul at Shanghai had
been applied to by one of the Chinese Viceroys
to cooperate in the defence of Nankin against
the Revoutionists it does not appear, nor is it
probable, that the aid asked for will be render
ed, or that the representatives of the other for
eign powers will, in any way, interfere in the
strife. The Chinese will undoubtedly be left
to settle their own disputes. Foreign coun-
tries cannot properly intrude in such a contest I;
neither would it comport with their interest to
do so, in the case of China especially. That
country is now virtually closed to all the world,
and it will be time enough for the outside bar
oaiians W lnterlere lot lls paciucatioh When ls
people shall be so sensible of the value of their
services as to consent to yield proper return
for such civilities. 1t is evident that some anne
Iteration and improvement of the commercial re-
lations of China with the rest rest of the world
and some important notifications of Chinese
civilization must result from this great convul.
sion. 1t is impossible, in the nature of things,
that ong-stagnant nation, containing hundreds
of millions of people, can be stirred to its re-
modest depths, in these days of universal inter-
communication and enterprise, without recev-
ing an infusion of modern ideas that all operate
upon the body like the bakers leaven. 1t only
is necessary that the other nations of the world
shall choose the right time and season for action
to accomplish greater change in the history
and destiny of China than is recorded of any
other nation NJ Y. Tribune.