, 1857-09-11
England and China.

1t has been suggested that England
having been shorn Of her laurels in the
Crimean war, is anxious to recover them in
a contest with the Chinese. Nothing is so
calling TO an EnSlishman as tho suspicion
that his heighbors think him wanting in
pluck. The bulk of the nation feels that
the civilized world generally is of the opin-
ion that the management of tho late
Russian war on the part Of the British
Government was decidedly bad, and that
the cowardice and want ofmilitary skill in
the field were inexcusabIe. BOOST
The common people, tho voters Of En-
gland, see this and feel this keenly. II Is
an imputation on the spunk of the nation,
and Of course an accusation against every
Englishman of want ofabluck. So the
Johnny Bulls construe i. PALMERsroS
understood this national characteristic; and
when the FIRST mutterings of Chinese war
broke on the car, he felt that this was the
opportunity to retrieve both tho national
honor and his own, but especially the latter.
The war would be manifestly unjust, but
what of that2 1t would be popular one
because it would appeal to the nations
love of military glory, and to its pride
and avarice. Sc the Premier was for q
war with China. Though beaten in Parlia-
ment on this question, lie appealed to the
people and was sustained. He knew the
English heart, and did not reckon without
his host. Thus, the question is, considered
settled, and new Cabinet formed to car.
ry on the war with the Oelestials.
The Englshmau at home rests easy and
contented with the prospect Of glory and
booty before him But his brethren in
China who went there to trade and specu-
late, are in different case. They find
themselves embarrassed at every turn in
their persons and their commerces They
have, however, no right to complain.
Had it not been for their hot-headed folly,
the war with the peacefully disposed Chi
nese would never have been thought Of.
Now having involved themselves and
their countrymen in needless war, they
fret and fume, because tho enemy do not
eight according to rule. This is all non
sense. They could not reasonably expect
the denizens Of the Middle Kingdom, when
forced into war with an outside baFbar.
ianp to humor the latter, by dropping their
own and taking up his mode Of warfare.
This wonld be contrary TO the settled poll.
cy Of the "aowery land" for more than six
thousand years -t'an' p q % sbs.f
The British ind they have an enemy to
fight on the shore Of China as they had on
the Peninsula in the Black Soal-not 20
formidable perhaps-but still ap enemy nor
to be despised. In Hindostan, they could
crush whole nations at blow-bht the
Chinese finding themselves assaulted With
out provocation by civilized Christians un-
der the protection Of fimpeBetrAble bulWerko
and behind bristling cannon, boldly turn
upon their assailants, and defend their lives,
their families and homes with such weapons
and in such manner as they believe 10 be
just and right, although It may not accord
with Christians idea Of honorable war.
We are not the apologist Of cruelty BY
whatever national custom or religion L
may be sanctioned but we do seriously
and conscientiously think John Chinaman
has as good a right to fight in bis way as
John Bull has in bis, and as the former be-
gan the ARRAY, the latter should have the
choice Of the weapons and ofthe mode Of
using them. ''' ia'- i,9aiaie