The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-05-27
The Chinese Movement-Errors as to it's
Origin.


There has been an absence of reliable in
formation as to the origin and aims of this
great movement. The opinion has prevailed
that foreign influences were mixed up in the
insurreCtion, and it has been said with Il
show of confidence that the origin Of the
revolution which now bids fair to overthrow
the regning dynasty was traceable to British
influence. That the British authorities, To-
Gated at Hong Kong, have avaled them
selves of their position to acquire an lnllu-
ence in passing events, is more than proba-
BILE other powers may have done the same
..hing, and undoubtedly our own government
would be justified IN pursuing similar
course, if it has not already done so. The
purpose would be, to open the trade of China
TO the western world
1t has been also supposed that British
missionaries have given direction to the re-
ligious impulse that sways so strongly the
leaders of the revolution. This too it would
seem is not the case. The New York OBJ
server Ga paper, by the way, we read with
much confidence on all subjects within its
scope) says, i'll recent number
1--WE have recently had the pleasure Of
snending some days with the Rev. Mr.. Tay-
lor. lust returned from the Celestial Empire,
and we are now fully persuaded in our own
mind as to the nature of the rebellion
The missionaries themselves are divided in
opinion as TO the meaning and end of the
mighty movement, but as Mr. Taylor is the
only one who has had personal intercourse
with the insurgent army, we are disposed to
give great respect to his opinions, and entire
credence to his facts. 1t is not denied that
the leade. of the insurgent party, who have
now overrun two-thirds of the Empire, and
have fair prospect of upsetting the govern
,nent. was once pupil of an American
Missionary, man of whom the California
Courier gave the following account some
lnonths ago:
TO citizen Of our own country belongs
the great honor of having trained and disci-
plined the chief who first set III motion the
ball of the revolution. His name is Rev.
|. J. Roberts, a native of North Carolina,
and now Baptist missionary on his own
account. The chief leader and originator
of the revolution is Te-pau-wang. who was
for IA long time pupil of the Rev. Mr..
Roberts. Tc-pau-wang, in becoming ac-
uuainted with the principles of Chrstiani-
ty. as we'll as the international relations
which existed between the various Christian
and civilized states of the world, became
convinced that it was his duty to destroy
Paganism. establish Christianity among the
people, and overthrow the venerable walls
of China, as well as to open that country to
the world. So strong were these convictions
on his mind. and so anxious was he to ac-
complish these results, that he did not stay
in Canton long enough to connect himself
with the church under Mr.. Roberts, but
quietly left the city with IA few friends, some
tracts, and portions of the Old Testament,
to commence the work of revolution in the
interior Neither Mr.. Roberts nor any of
his friends knew where he had gone, until
they heard of his movements several hundred
miles from that city.
"He showed himself not only a great
teacher, but great leader, and soon had
around him body of enthusiastic devotees
numbering ten thousand. The Tartar EN-
peror, on learning this fact, ordered an army
to march to the camp of the insurgents with
the view of putting them all to death. The
two armies met, and after hard contest the
Emperors troops were defeated. This was
the beginning of the revolution, and now
more than two-thirds of China have been
conquered, and that country may be said to
be under q new civil administration. Te-
pau-wang has recently written letter to
the Rev. Mr.. Roberts. in which he invites
him to the camp of the insurgents as their
teacher and chaplain. In this letter he