The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-04
England's Eastern wnr

The New York Journal of Commerce in an
article from which we make IN extract pre-.
sents in striking point of view the critical
condition Of the British Empire in India. With
debt Of 1000, 100000 pressing heavily upon
her at home, England is fighting in behalf of
company, which is upon the eve of insol.
vency.
With regard to China, it is doubtful whether
she is in the right Sir John Bowrinx's con-
duct, in his recent intercourse with Canton.
wns iIDprudcnt il not unjustifa able, and has
involved the nation in a sarguinary contest
with power numbering 800. OOO, 900 sof the
human race, and fully alive to their strength,
their rights and their wrongs
With respect to IIindoston there is no doubt
but that the Indian Company has pressed upon
the subject with great severity. There has
been mitigation indeed of the evil since the
days when East Indian oppression 3cxcited the
indignant eloquence of Edmund Burke, yet
still great cruelty is exercised by the officials
Of the Company. who realize great wealth
needless alike of the sufferings and calamitics
which they inhict upon the country.
The runous system, of annexation is also at
Inst beginning to recoil upon tho parent State
The delhronement Of the King Of Dude is be-,
lievcd to have had fur more important effect
in producing the late rebellion than any ali.
sur,i stories of grease upon cartridges, or other
alledgcd violations of Brahminical laws. Ev-
, cry previously dethroned potentnte felt his re-
sentiment revivc-every one who had hitherto
preserved even a nominal independence, had
his apprehensions aroused. A general feeling
Of insecurity wns excited amongst the natives
throughout thescountry; but stll the annexiny
gov ernment went on, and the system of terri
A.
crDor aud the government alike who followed
it, being apparently unconscious Of what it
would produce in the end. and ignorant that,
as III thu instance of anccut Rome in proper
ton MS they thus extended their empire, they
would require a more distcndcd force to main
tain it, and that the boundaries would Mt least
become SD wide, and the indispensable troops
SO separated, that collapse would cns,,c, in
consequence Of the vnst diffusion itself, and the
whole edticc fall to the ground.
Such is the position of British Indin at the
present time. The edifice is at this moment
tottcrng TO the ground. That it will finally
fall. or be entirely prostrnted, we do not be-
eve. There is, as we have already remarked,
wonderful elasticity about the British gov.
ernment, as well as an enormous dormant f"rco
in the resources of the coun try, crippled though
it seemingly be at present by recent war and
long taxation. Both Of these will doubtless he
exerted to the utmost in the present enfergen-
cy; for to lose India would ut once raduce
England to the condition of n second rate POW
er. 1t may not be productive to her Of much
direct pecuniary revenue; but indirectly, it
affords extensive field for her commerce.
The government does not profit by it in any
degree. but the citizens of the country do in
regard to trade. Both also look to it as icld
for imports MS well exports, and anticipate
to draw largely from it for future supplies of
ten us well rs cotton. The former Of these pro-
ducts may be doubtful. and all experiments
hitherto hnvc proved that in this respect Him
dostnn cannot compete with China. IL will
possibly also he long before Eastern cnn vie
with " estern cotton. But still both nre covct.
ted subjects by England, and the government
as well rs the citizens will consequently pursue
them with equal energy and alacrity. !Alarge
portion of the country, however, must be for
the moment reconqueled. and new system of
admin istration established when once the pres
ent rebellion is subdued. A milder code Of
laws must be instituted, and n more tolerant
species of government adopted. The domin-
ion Of the sword must be rs soon rs possible
abolished and n more mcrciful system substtu-
ted. England must Mt last show to the world
That IN the control of man, more is ultimately
to be gained by clcmcncy than by cruelty, and
that in the present days of civilization, ad-
dress, in its highest sense, is infinitely prefera
ble to arms.