The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-24
The lEssssen 70 CAana.

The latest intelligence from China would seem to
indicate the probable overthrow Of the present Tar
tar dynasty, and the installation Of q new Emperor
at Nankin, Of the ancient Chinese Imperial family.
Should this revolution be accomplished, it will be
the most important event Of this century, and may
be fraught with incalculable benefits to our country
and to the world; 1t is generally believed that the
cessor to foreign trade and intercourse; and our in
creased commerce from the Atlantic, as well as from
Oregon and California on the Pacific, place this
country in a position for the developement of an i'm.
mense trade with China and the neighboring States.
The United States and China are both great powers
fronting on the Pacific, and their products and
manufactures are admirably calculated for an i'm
mense and largely beneficial trade and intercourse.
We are the only great nation that consumes
tea, the staple product of China, free Of
duty; and our cotton and cotton manufac-
lures, and various other articles, ought to be freely
received in exchange. The present crisis has in
duced the President to tender this mission to the
Hon. Robert J. Walker, of Mississippi, late Secretary
Of the Treasury of the United States, accompanied
by all the necessary powers and authority to accom-
plish the great object of this most important trust;
and Mr.. Walker, we understand, has accepted the
mission. 1t is well known that the last Congress
placed the mission to China upon the highest grade
known to our diplomacy. Since this action of Con-
gress, new events have given to the mission a still
more commanding character. There is at present
no diplomatic station upon which the public eye, not
only Of our country but of all civilized nations, will
be more intently fixed. To this signal interest and
importance of the mission alone, we presume, it is
owing that Mr.. Walker, whose political antecedents
so eminently fit him for the work before him, has
abandoned his well known preference for private life,
and undertaken this high and difficult diplomatic
service.
His general views in favor of a liberal commercial
policy are well known to the country and to the
world. Under the tariff of 1916, our revenue, as
well as our imports and exports, have been doubled,
and the prosperity OF the country is unprecedented.
Whatever opinions may be entertained by the few
who still advocate the protective policy as regards
bis views in connection with reciprocal trade with
England. there can be none who will doubt the pro-
priety OF his opinions in regard to an enlarged trade
and commerce with China and the East ; and we
presume there is no American who will not desire
his success in the great and important mission now
intrusted to his care.
Mr.. Walkers views in regard to our trade with
China and Asia are fully set forth in his several
Treasury Reports, and especially in that of Decem-
views on this subject with the following prophetic re-
marks
Our ports upon the gulf, with those upon both oceans
West, occupying the central position between all the
continents OF the globe, nearer to them all by convenient
routes tnan any other nation, including an easy access
to the whole interior of our own country, we want only
the ocean steamships OF adequate strength, speed, and
numbers, to give US the command of the trade of all ma.
tons. Nor should we forget that, in carrying our trade
among the great aud ~popuious nations of Asia, and faci-
litating intercourse with that vast region, passing from
coast to coast in the short period OF tweaty days, with
monthly or weekly steamships. the light Of Christianity,
following the path of commerce. would return with eli it,
dressings 10 the East, from WnlCn IL rose. In those re-
gions, commerce must be The precursor of Christianity
commerce. which teaches peace and interc purse between
nations; which declares that man Is not the enemy of man,
nor nation OF ma ton; but that the interests OF all coun-
tries and Of all mankind are identical, and that they will
all advance most rapidly under the genial influence Of an
unrestricted reciprocal trade and intercourse. By our
recent scquisi' ions on the Pacific, Asia has ~suddealy be-
come our netghbor, with a placid intervening ocean, In
vitipg our steamships upon the track of q commerce
greater than that of all Europe combined. This com.
nerce is ours. If our merchants and government should,
by their united energies, secure for US with Asia q rapid
and frequent communication by steam. Our products
and our manufactures. and es pecislly our coarse cotton
fabsics, are precisely what are desired by several hnudred
millions of their people, vino will send US back in return
their specie and their rich productions, SO fe Of which
are raised within our limits
1t is not a little remarkable that the predictions Of
Mr.. Walker, as regards the advent of Christianity in
China as the result of increasing trade and inter
course, seem to be on the eve Of fulfilment, as indi-
Gated in the proclamation in favor Of Christianity by
the rebel chief-not. improbably now the new Emper-
or Of China. This proclamation, if the facts are truly
stated, is the most striking event the world has wit
messed since the unfolding of the Banner of the Cross
by Constantine at the head Of the imperial legions Of
Rome.
We are sure we but echo the voice of the whole
American people IN wishing entire success to Mr..
Walker in this great and arduous trust eonfded to
him by the President, OF opening the trade OF China
and the East to our own country and that OF the
world.