Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-10-06

OpIUM.-hs CxlNration, Use, and Effects
The New York Mirror gives some interesting
information in relation to the cultivation and
consumption of Opium. India is said to pro-
duce $4,000 chests weighing from 125 to 140
lbs each, annually. The sending of Opium to
China began in 1867, In 1S47, fifty vessels
were engaged soley in this trade, besides a
great number partially so engaged. There
were $2,5OO,0O0 annually-in spite of the
restrictions Of the Government-imported into
Foo-chow. In 1913 there were in that city
100 houses devoted to the sale of Opium for
smoking. From 1894 to 1920, the amount ex-
ported to China varied from 5000 to 1000 chests
7s year. In 1887 it amounted to between 49,,
600 and 40, 900 chests, valued at $25, Zoo, 900.
From 1888 to 1912, the trade was almost en-
tirely interrupted by the war which grew out
of the attempts, ON the part of the Chinese
Government, to suppress it. For the year 1913
was 19, Ill chests, and Calcutta $4,000 chests,
which, at an average of $3.50 y chest, would
amount to 32.000,000 expended for this single
article Of trade. Then the Chinese pay an ad
vance on this sum of several millions more,
which goes into the hands of the merchant.
The principal use made of Opium by the
Chinese is in the form of smoking. The
wealthier orders do their smoking in their own
dwellings, but for the poorer classes there are
thousands of shops fitted with accommodations
expressly for smoking. -.i+-
The effects of this drug upon the consumer
are thus described by distinguished Chinese
scholar: cit exhausts the animal spirits, i'm
pedes the regular performance Of business.
wastes the flesh and blood, dissipates every
kind of property, renders the person ill-favored,
promotes obscenity, discloses secrets, violates
the laws, attacks the vitals and destroys lfe."
The Chinese Government have made strong
efforts to cut off or restrict the traffic in this
drug. Public attention was directed to its in
furious effects in 1899, and in 1909, an edict
was issued, requiring all ships discharging at
Whampoa, to give bonds that they had no
Opium on board. Still, more stringent laws
we're adopted in 1920. To 1884, an edict was
issued, declaring that the injury done by the in
fux Of Opium and by the increase Of those who
inhaled it, was nearly equal to a general con-
fagration, and denounciug upon the seller and
smoker of the poison, the bastinado, the wooden
collar, imprisonment, Punishment, confscation
Of property, and even death by public decapta-
ton or strangulation. But, notwithstanding
all this, the trade kept increasing, until at
length an Imperial Commissioner was appoint
c1s CtOtucu viii Iue highest AutuOFlty. 10 pro-
coed to Canton and endeayor to effect an utter
humiliation of the trade. In carrying out this
determination, he seized aud destroyed some
20, $50 chests of Opium, and compelled the
merchants to sign bond that they would
forever cease trading in the article, This bold
and decided measure, on the part of the Com
missioner, led to a war with England, which is
commonly known as the Opium war, the result
of which is well known. When urged to lega-
lie the trade, the Emperor replied in these
memorable words: at is true," said he, 81
cannot prevent the introduction Of the flowing
poison; gain-seeking and corrupt men will, for
profit and sensuality, defeat my wishes; but
nothing will induce me, to derive revenue
from the vice and misery Of my people"
One result of the war was the ceding of the
island of Hong Kong to the English. In this
island, after passing into the hands Of the
victors, the trade in Opium was legalized, and
twenty shops for its sale Immediately licensed,
within gun-shot of the Chinese Empire, where
such an offence is punishable With death.
It is stated upon the highest authority, that
the British Government, in India, could not be
sustained without the immense revenues de-
rived from this trade. This revenue, for the
last, six years, it is said, has amounted to near
ly $50, 0O0, 600. It is also estimated thatthe
immense sum of $500, 100000 OF specie has
been drained from China, to pay for this single
article alone, within the last half century. "a