The Washington union., 1857-09-26

been usually at heavy Disadvantage Much of this Is.
no doubt 10 be ascbed TO the many restrictions which
she has deemed II polite TO impose upon foreign trade
And this viii most probably always continue While
India abo and produces for the benefit OF her tkmast
ers il is foolish to suppose that either any other
people hope to occupy position other than subor
nate TO that of her conqueroB. But different system
would be naugurated should the present rebellion against
her authority be successful wetrust that may not but
il cannot be concealed that though India would be lost
to England we would in all probability, be gamers by
the change The field would then be open for compe-
ton American enterprise, untrammelied by the policy
of a rival retaining in her hands powerful monopoly
could then press forward in its of progress The
misfortune Of England rOuid b ue gain Of The Uaiod Sas.
On the other hand, her struggle with China appeals
forcibly to interests commercial nation. We
have a legitimate right to participate IN whatever tr-
umphs may fall to her lot We would be losers by her
defeat while could not fail to profit by her success
To commercial people like ours, free and open trade
with that mysterious empire about the true capacity Of
which little accurate is known, would be of the utmost
importance. Our comparative Ignorance OF the extent of
the Of China renders it impossible to judge by
any just standard of measurement how far unfeteed
interchange of goods would increase trade in her pc
cuar manufactures. We cannot give correct opinion
when know little that is positive. Our want Of
knowledge becomes bar to such expression of judg
doubted 1t be fairly assumed take it, that
opening the interior of China would not only result in
large increase in the demand for tea and silk and
manufactured but that 1t would also be likely to make
our own products known to the Chinese certainty
protection from the extortons and opposition of the Chi
government would, doubt, operate avorably upon
commerce. both in discovering articles Of trade and
in lowering their prices by incessant vigorous compe
ton.
BY reference to the American Almanac for 1857 ii ap-
pears that our trade with China is double that with tho
British East Indies During the year ending june 80,
1856 the value of imports from and exports to each
country follows
China na-..$l104s 04s,7 ,726 $l7l9,42s
India 5457,37S 9l2,263
IL will be seen at glance that the value of our ex-
ports China when compared with that Of imports
is very trifng China is, at present. therefore, more
benefited by than are by her This inequality in
values the inevitable result of that restrictive policy
which has confined foreign trade almost wholly to the
limits of Canton If better known, exports
would be more valuable 1t is impossible for the Chinese
appreciate the advantages that they might reap from
free interchange Of goods, when they constantly
warned to beware of receiving using foreign products
They only with the eyes of their rulers and they
are notorousIy ''oblique the second sight cannot
manifesty be very acute To increase largely trade
with China it is only requisite that its interior be opened
to the enterprise of commercial select band
of enterprising Yankees would revoluonize the Empire
The curiosity of John Chnaman excited it would
not be long before he would be cnticed to speculate in
foreign goods The beginning great step towards the
accomplishment Of the whole Inc speculation in his
cunning hands could but prove successful and the
hoodgates of national excluveness being thrown open
the tide of sentercst would bear with it, in its swelling
course the last landmarks Of that which had
long isolated China from the tendencies Of the outer
world of Christianity and progress.
The duty deyolvng upon Lord Elgin is destined, If
fulfilled, to effect much plenaly power of war or
peace has been given to him. He has yet done moth
ing towards fmtherng the wishes Of his government
few skishes have, it is true, taken place in the neigh
borhood of Canton but they have led to nothing ecs
i've except proving that the Chinese not
pet soldiers BY the latest dates see, however that
he is to proceed with fleet up the Peiho to receive
decisive from the Emperor to whether he ap
proves or condemns the acts of his subordinate Yeh
Should he show himself disposed to treat amcab with
the English, Lord Egin would scarcely fail in placing
foreign upon firm and equitable basis This
much is expected of him and he cannot assuredy do
less AS of the authorized representatives of
merce, the American people peculiarly interested in
the result Of this visit to Pekin Much is destined to
flow from it, which the future will unrayel.
There may be two modes of viewing the justice Of the
of England in India Some may be found to join
with the New York Irish News and other journals with
similar preudces in denuncations of her policy and in
SCOTS at the idea of her having done anything toward
the amelioration of her colonies, morally socially,
politically There can however be but opinion to
the propety of her in the defence of her subjects
at Canton. In the case of China, interests
equal with those of Great Britain 1t is impossible TO
disunte them blow at the would affect the other
Ii sefnteres be bond sufficiently strong pro-
duce sngleness of aim it is assuredy in the present
instance.
1t cannot be truly said that sympathy with our
trans Atlantic cousins in their struggle against the revolt
ed coonsts is rendered necessary by mutualty Of in
erests hopes There is nothing to induce such
tment unless it be desire that their tolls and efforts
during the past century shall not be entirely fruitle
This feeling at the BEST resolves itself into
preston sympathy while would be far from the
truth to say should watch the complexion of a
fairs in China with something of the hopes and fears Of
participants. ID.
The Kansas correspondent of the Louisville Courier
his last letter tells the following story An old bald
headed bachelor, living Garnett became enamord
of bewtchng pair of black eycsI always had weak
ness for black eyes myself which, although much too
young for him. for he spectaces he persuaded to
elope with him. They camped out that night on their