Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-17
Smithsonian Lectures.
REpoRrED ron THE AMERICAN ORGAN.
THE CHINESE REVOLUTION.

OtA<~s--~~~~
BY REV. y. A. wAsHBURN.
He opened the subject by saying that the prin-
cpal feature in the Chinese revolution Is that il
combines in ID Christian clement. The leader OF
this rebellion was at one time Christian, but now
is changed; and the whole affair has assumed a
different aspect. Though it has disappointed many
IL win change the government of China entirely
and also materially affect the trade of all countries
Lie should present facts concerning this reyolu-
ton, not CLEANED from newspaper or missionary re-
ports, or circulars OF tea companies, but facts that
he had obtained from authentic sources
After stating that the rebellion had been for
many years rpenng, that it was Young China ar
rayed against Old Tartary; he gave a history of
the rise and progress Of the rebellion and its causes
IN detail. This was not merely glanced at, but
dates, names, and reasons were given, and the
whole, though minute, was made very interesting
China enjoyed its highest state Of civilization
long before Greece had emerged from barbarism,
and though we have perfected many of the inven-
tons and discoveries we have derived from her.
she holds the patent-nght to them. Her people
have always manifested the most intense love Of
their country, and when In distant lands, the Chi
naman looks to his own home in the Celestial EN-
pre- with all the longing ever felt by the most ego
tistc cockncy, and shame our own Know 10th
ngs " in their wish to keep foreigners from inter-
meddling in their national affairs. They contin-
ued to hold undisputed possession of their nation
till 1245, when tho Tartars conquered the whole
Of Asia, and installed them on the throne of the
brother Of the sun. But soon they were driven
out Of China, and the Ming dynasty assembled the
throne in this struggle the nation was weakened,
the Mantchoux, eastern Tartars, again conquered
them, and have held them in submission until this
revolution. The Mantchoux were more civilized
than their former conquerors seven Of their race
distinguished themselves as energetic soveregns,
o..Isf nrftk Hail. L.
seat by the. side Of Charlemagne Still the Chi
nese were not thoroughly subdued tho insult to
which they were compelled to submit in having
their heads shaved, with the exception of the back
hair, which they were forced to wear in 4 que
could not tend to make them love their conquer
ors, and now, though they have learned to love
their ques, they have not ceased to hate their orig
inators. ~
The Chinese had continued to hate their con
querors, and their hatred showed itself in the for
nation Of secret societies, for the purpose Of put
ting them down. Rebellion was always waiting
time when it could have chance Of success, and
a leader who would erect a standard around which
to rally, and that leader has now been found
He now gave history of the leader Of the revo-
luton, first contradcting some of the rumors rife
respecting him.
Tai-ping-wang was born of poor parents, and
though good scholar, was Of morbid DISPOSE
years old, was afflicted with along illness, in which
bis imagination vas much wrought on by dreams
and visions, in which he constantly battled with
demons, and was commanded to continue this
strife by persons who appeared to him in these
visions. When he recovered he relapsed into his
former morbidness but, at the age of thirty three
found books left there by missionary, in which
he found key to his visions. 1t revealed to him
that the demon he was commanded to destroy
Icvo xha,,
to pursue the work were divine. After this, he
and his cousin professed Christianity baptized
themselves, and commenced preaching with great
success and soon collected many proselytes
He now instituted comparison between this
leader and Mahomet, and followed it up to the point
where the founder of Islamism was marching VIC
toriously through the country, spreading his faith
in every land he subdued but here he left it. but
not before he had intimated that the rebel leader
would meet with the same success as did Mahomet.
Yai-ping-wang started with the idea that he was
inspired of God to overthrow dolatry, and when he
told his mission, he was joyfnly received But, as
followers focked around him, and he found that he
could contend with the authorities, he conceived
the idea of turning his forces not only against the
religion, but the government Of China. As soon
as this was whispered abroad, the patriotism that
had so long been waiting leader, and an opportu-
nifty to assume form, was famed to fame; the
mountaincers who had never been wholly subdued,
focked to his standard; the secret societies that
had so long been feared by the government, proved
the spirit they were Of, by furnishing troops and
weapons in abundance and, in short time the
humble preacher Of new religion had assumed a
wholly new characterize was now the chief of the
patriotic forces-hc became the liberator, and all
his former followers joined him in freeing their
country from the Mantchoux rule.
Thus, 1t will be seen, that Christianity, though
ora N thp 1aad fuAu tbo
people; it does not actuate, but accompanies the
revolution. In the progress of his arms he over
throws all temples of idols and destroys the images
also; but with the sagacity which he has displayed
throughout his movements, he sees that the idea
OF head OF the government was connected with
the head of the church---that the Chinese had been
accustomed to worship the Emperor as divine--as
the brother of the sun-so to avail himself of
this impression, and still further, to carry with
him the vencration of the people, he proclaims-
" There is but one God, and am his proprietary
mission is to destroy idolatry; am the Son of
God" Thus, while he overthrows Buddhism and
substitutes for it tangible faith, he does not dis
turb the deeprooted prejudices of the people, but
transfers them TO himself and his concentrating
sure of all the religious enthusiasm and intense
patriotism OF the people, thus combining the most
powerful forces that can be brought to bear In a
revolution.
The rebellion was first noticed in the southwest
ern part of the empire, in the midst of inaccess-
BILE rocks and precipices, in the stronghold of the
Chinese whom the Tartars had never thoroughly sub
dued. Here the government troops we're first met and
beaten. Then the theatre OF the struggle was
transferred to the table land, where the patriots
met with the same success. Up TO this time the
Imperialsts had called the movement the rising Of
few mountain robbers; but when Ling the Vice.
roy issued his edict Of outlawry against them, and
was met by bold proclamation from the leader Of
the patriot forces claiming the throne the struggle
has been recognised by the government as a con-
test for the throne.
From that time they met with but few reverses,
and have pushed on in straight line, and when tho
forces were raised to $4,000 men, led by FIVE kings
or Chiefs with all the organization and diciplne Of
an army, and fine navy acting with them, they
carried Nankin by assault, and returned, subduing
or receiving the profered allegiance Of all that part
of the country they had passed over. Pekin is
still untouched, and the Emperor is yet safe but
he no longer rules for the best part OF his empire
is in the hands Of the patriots
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