The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-01

results. But nearly all we know is, that round
the whole coast, from Canton, to the Yellow
Sea, there is nothing but perturbation and re-
volt: and that Nankin is in possession OF the
most prominent insurgents, whose strange,
demi. Christian tenets and demi-M ahometan
heresies have created 80 much astonishment
and, as il appears to us misinterpretatlon
Fanatioism in such a case is the obvious game
of leaders and we are not prepared to attach
very great Importance to the rebel creed lfit
serve its turn, and overthrow the Tartar dy-
nasty. with it's inexorable cruelties and mon
strous corruptions, it will have accomplished
all it is worth, and left the-world for better and
more intelligent people to hustle in.
But it seems to be indicated that several
sects. under their several banners and pretexts,
are seizing the opportunity to act for them
selves, and work up the charmed cauldron to
double, double toll, and trouble. The preva-
lence of conspiracies in China, and the exist
ence of secret associations, bding their time
for action, have long been well known and
the victorious younger brethren" of Jesus
Christ form powerful development of one OF
these, never heard of till within the last two or
three years. Those who have been successful
at Annoy, where they protected the foreign
merchants and residents are stated to belong
to another order and some of our readers
may remember having heard of the powerful
Secret Triad Society of China, which, up to
the late outbreak, was presumed to be the
most inimical and dangerous to the Mantchou
Umbrella, and all the buttons and peacocks'
feathers that upheld it. But for the introduc-
ton of the parts connected with the Bible and
Christian religion-all of which may have
been superadded within the last thirty or
/ sol L.
texts, &c, were zealously struggled into the
country-we could conceive that the rise of
the new combatants is in reality manifesto
ton of the Triad Society, with certain novel
principles to enlist the adherence of other en-
thusiasts, and conjoin devotional ardor with
the less stimulating philosophy of the original
body It is rather remarkable that their lead.
ing maxim was, ave are all the children of
the same Parent and, though living in differ
ent parts of the country, will call upon our re-
lations to march on future day, to do battle
at Nankin, and to establish the cause of our
ancient lords. This We promise with our
blood" They had secret signs by which to
know each other, and symbolical sentences in
verse, exactly similar to those recently brought
from the rebel camp at Nankin. Their vow
of vengeance was equally terrible and bloody
in execution. Implicit obedience was enioined,
under heavy penalties and the restoration OF
the Ming dynasty the grand theme of every
meeting But, as we have observed their creed
was altogether different from that of the re-
formers now in arms. 1t ran nearly rs fol-
lows
1--WE consider heaven as our father, the
earth az our mother, the sun mot Christi as our
elder brother, the moon as our elder sister are
pay respect 10 the true Son of Heauen, worship
our five ancestors, 1--we priests who were the
founders of the association treat with defer
ence our brethren, and devote ourselves to a
life of pleasure"
On their badge was inscribed, "Myriads look
forward to the overthrow of the Mantchus
and the restoration of the Ming -" May the
descendants of Sang prosper y" May there be
ten thousand myriads of revolutions"
The Triad Society offered their services to
the English army at Hang Choo, and, we have
little doubt, are either principals or stout aux
iiaries with other patriotic Chinese bodies at
this most critical period.
Before despatching this letter we have to
notice the arrival of farther news from India
and China. In the latter, there is report of
the death of the Emperor but it seems to rest
on no authority. But the insurgents have
marched from Nankin on Canton, four days,
IA is said; in which case, the most import
ant events may be forthwith looked for-such
as even the fall Of Pekin itself could not exceed
in interest
( From Burmah we learn that the Ruler of
Ava still declines to sign treaty, but has
shown a disposition for tacit submissveness,
which must be exceedingly welcome to the in
vaders. He will not, it is said modest the Eng
fish troops, but will allow them to possess Mea-
day and Tonghou, without interruption. Such
indications ought to lead to peace; but oriental
doings are always difficult to be understood