The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-27

Il would seem, then there y no universal standard OF
human happiness and that the attempt to make happy
against their will cannot be justified any rational prn-
chile OF humanity The Chinese have chosen their own
way and as before stated three hundred millions OF people
have some preensons Judge for themselves We are
not defending their system holding them up as exam
pss for imitation They certainly, according to our no
tons would be greatly benefited by extensive changes in
their foreign and domestic policy but we maintain that
Great Britain with her thirty millions Of people has no
right under the law of nations any other law, to i'm
nose system OF commercial regulations ten times that
number Of men,
China does not withhold the benefits of the products of
her soil and industry from other nations but permits
them to come and purchase them when they please The
whole civilized world freely parakes OF the innocent and
social beverage for which she alone provides the material
and SO far know, her exports and imports though
limited certain ports free as those Of other ma
tons But she thinks proper decline all social intercourse
with Europeans they not permitted to explore the
country and write books Of travel holding them up to
contempt scor above all the elder brother of the
sun and mooa will permit the ministers Of European
powers to reside his court and make 1t the focus of in
tigue for the overthrow Of his empire. He around
him in the neghboring countries Of Asia plenty of
Piles Of the of such indulgence which has
resulted in the independent States Of the East
becoming either the tools or the victims Of European d.
pomacy.
But according to the new English code Of ethics
thing is only lawful but meritorious that tends to the
interests Of commerce This is the golden calf at whose
shrine the nations of the East TO be vicimized The
syogysm is perfect wealth is the greatest Of ali possible
blessings is the greatest of all possible sources
Of wealth ergo all possible justfabe in bring
ing about this superaive good We don't profess to know
anything Of the views Of in relation to
the present crisis in China but may be permitted to
press the hope that it win become party in bully
ing and depressing feeble nation which it is little better
than cowardce assal which in the midst OF
internal commissions which, but for foreign interference
may eventually bring about civil and political revolution
far favorable to the happiness Of this great hive OF
the hue than be anticipated from the intervene
ton of powers whose only object is to benefit themselves
Such abstinence WILL believe, be only just to China
but polite regards ourselves 1t cannot but strike those
who accustomed to carry out great general principles
to their final result that this system of ethics has
universal application iii just6es intervention in the a
fairs of nation it equally juses Intervention in those
of all nations If the policy of China and its system Of
is obnoxious Great Britain is that of the
United States and have daily proofs of her interference
both with our foreign and domestic relations In short
republican system may become if it is not now equally
obnoxious with the commercial system of China and who
knows but we may be day summoned to renqush it
as one of the great obstacles the extension of
and the progress Of civilization
But trespassng columns and perhaps, the
patience of the reader We SHALL therefore, conclude by
expressing rather repeating the expression of the
vction that this attack China provoked by
outrage on the part of the authorities of Canon that the
seizure Of the from board British opium SNUG
ge and the refusal apologize to British petty unc
tonary perfectly ustfable and is only made pre-
text for hoslities previously determined upon Nothing
is said this point in the speeches of the phanthropic
the meeting which gave occasion to the preced
ing remarks Their battery exclusively eveled at the
opium smuggling which, indeed well merits the
condemnation disgrace to any nation, and most espec
ally nation dexrous in pointing out the mote in the
eye Of its neghbors We however, sanguine
the result of this and apprehend that according
to English CUSTOM much will be said but little done The
opium trade, says the ministerial organ, sis gigantic
branch Of British commerce. and wherever there de-
mand for the debauching drug thther will the British
merchant take supply" This is the British law and the
prophets.