Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-10-15

break idols, as Tor R0undheads 10 de-
nounce bishops and as much, in course
for Old China to worship idols, as for
a Cavalier to be g highchurchman.
This is the third fact of the Chinese re-
bellion. 1t is one Of great Importance
The rebellion has been in progress
nearly four years; but its early mani
festations in Konang.si, attracted little
attention ut court, nor did the religious
element appear, until it had become
formidable. The first proclamation OF
the insurgents was most frank, but
contradictory piece Of composition. In
reply to the Imperial manifesto, they
calmly said =
"There is really no sensible differ
ence whatever between US, who lay un-
der contribution the villages that we
seize, and the finctionaries who, sent
from Pekin, fores,all the impost. That
,cA,ch is fair to take is fair to hold.
Why do you, then, without any show
of reason, send troops against US !
Your proceedings seem must unjust.
What have the Mantchoos, who are
strangers, the right to levy taxes from
eighteen provinces, and to appoint Off
GERS 10 Cypress the people, and are we
Chinese to be prevented from taking
any money whatever Universal
sovereignty belongs to no individual, 10
tho exclusion of every body else; and
no one has ever yet heard Of dynasty
boasting an issue Of hundred genera
tions of emperors. The right ofgov'
erning is possession"
The insurgents were bad reasoners;
for this proclamation said far more for
the reigning dynasty, than for those who
sought its overthrow. 1tseems to show
however, that the rebellion was, in the
beginning, mere effort on the part OF
a faction to become dynasty, aud not
a patriotic outbreak, or religious cru
tsade. This is fourth and significant
fact in the strange history Of the Chi.
nese rebellion.
The insurgents fought better than
they argued. Their tactics were sim.
pie and uniform. As often as the i'm.
perial troops advanced, the insurgents
pretended to take flight; and as often
as the rebels pretended to take flight,
the Imperial troops pursued until they
were caught in ambuscade, and there
pitilessly massacrcd. Experience went
for nothing. The feint was made q
hundred times, and hundred times
wholesale slaughter followed. The ef
fort of tho rebels was to continually ad'
vance towards Pekin; because, he who
rules Pekin, rules China, and he who
has conquered all the rest Of China, and
has not Pekin, is in the condition of one
who possesses France, but not Paris
They fortified no towns, left no garri.
sons to keep open their retreat. Theil
plan has been, to capture city, levy
moderate contribution upon it, abandon
it, and press on to tho next; and, ere
this, they have probably achieved the
object of their desires, aud are swaying
China, from the Imperial palace Of Pc
kin. The perfect stupidity of the EN-
peror has rendered the conquest of the
country easy. He has ruined his mos'
faithful adhorcnts, by inordinate exac'
,ions of money; has shown no capaci
ty for taking a single judicious step
and has passed much of his time, du
ring the rebellion, in composing grant
epic poem, for the purpose of counter
acting the proclamations of his enc
mics. (On one occasion, four Thousand
bufaloes were got together, and twice
as many torches attached to their long
horns. The herd was placed under th'
charge Of four thousand soldiers, ane
the expedition, prepared with the Ut
most secrecy, set out one night in th'
direction of the rebel camp. Accord
ing to the plan laid down, every bulla
10. transformed for the occasion into {
fiery chariot, vas to make frightlul rav
: ages wherever it appeared, to kill ever.
man within reach, aud to set fire to th'
{ camp. Tho horned batalions advanced
without obstacle, the insurgents, appri
sed Of their intended visitors, allowed
them quietly to deiilc. But tho lmpe
rals were not vouchsafcd so honorable
reception. BY favor Of the illunina
ton they had themselves provided
their movements were well noted lon
before they roachcd the camp. Whe'