The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-06-24
THE USE OF OPIUM IN CHINA.
ITS TERRIBLE EFFECTS.

Already several OF the leading Journals are
preparing the way .or demonstration. One
of them, the London Morning Star, inlimates
that resolution will be offered u, the earlies.
moment, for thorough investigation Of the
Opium Trade--a trade that Is carried on in
defiance Of the Chinese Government, and
which yield an annual revenue to the East
India Company of something like fifteen
millions Of dollars. This trade now amounts
TO 81, 900 chests year, equal in value 10
something like $4,000, 900. THIS is paid
principally in hard cash, and thus the Empire
is drained ofspecie. A correspondent Of the
Morning Star says that traffic in opium is
carried on in China, by nearly all the British
merchants locatad there. The system is thus
managed. Eighteen we'll covered vessels,
called receiving ships, of from 200 10 800
tons, and stationed along the coas, Of China,
just outside the limits Of the FIVE ports chief
ly; and these receiving ships are kept we'll
supplied with the drug-(in order TO get il
smuggled into China)-by fast sailing schoon.
ers, called clippers and steamers, which ply
regularly along the coast, all heavily armed
aud efficiently manned by English officers,
Lascar and Malay crews chiefly, well'train-
ed 10 arms for defensive perations-these
receiving ships have stout netting, which
they cover over them in times of danger or
threatened attack from Mandarin junks or
private boats. The opium is conveyed 10 the
merchants hongs within the ports, from these
receiving sioreships, chiefly by night, or the
dusk Of evening, in fast sailing and row
boats, we'll armed. Sometimes Chinese boats
60 TO these receiving ships and purchase for
Themselves, and convey il away into the in.
terror.
The writer says that he has seen large
supplies of the drug landed by the boats of
the receiving ships in the dusk of the even.
ing, at the English Hong, and has known the
steamers OF the Peuinsular and Oriental
Steam Navigation Company 60 into port and
discharge large supplies nj an English agen.
cy. II is well kpown that the Chinese rulers,
the late Emperor, Tou Kwang, in particular,
eXertsd every means and used all his ener-
gies 10 exclude this pernicious drug from
China, finding it highly detrimental and iu-
furious to his subject. He put forth repeated
edicts for stopping its ingfess, and severe
penalties were enacted against those who in
lroduced il and encouraged il. Al length,
finding its evils appalling, he despatched the
late official, Lin, OF Canton notoriety, 10 that
port effcctually 10 stop the conlraband traffic
in the drug-lhe measures which he took
were such as led 10 the war with China about
the year 1S43-he particulars and results OF
which are matters of history. Suffice it 10
say, that that war was overruIed, 10 the OPEN
ing up Of the present five ports of China TO
foreign commerce. High funeral houors aud
Imperial distinctions, during life were avail
ded 10 LIN, who had used such extreme
measures Tor suppresSing this traffic al Can
ton, as a testimony Of a oountry's gratitude
for such services.
The victims OF opium smoking and chew
ing often apply for foreign medical aid al the
different pors, in order TO secure remedy
for the habit--a habit which is full of peril,
and will invariably, if persisted in, destroy
its victim. The writer, from whose detailed
statement we gather these facts, says fur
lher:
GAN missionaries in China are agreed that
the evils of this system are one of the great
est obstacles to the reception of their mes
sage by The Chinese, and of closer and
more friendly intercourse with that people.
At the close of the las, war with China, our
merchants and manufacturers were rejoced
at the prospect of an increasing commerce
with three hundred or four hundred millions
OF Chinese customers; yet, by statistical re-.
turns, we learn how grievously disappointed
they have been, for as the illicit traffic IN
opium has increased, so Legitimate commerce
has diminished. The British people will
doubtless inquire the reason of this. The
solution Of il is easy-for this Illicit traffic in
opium carries with il, like every other wrong
course of action, its own punishment and
consequences--an in this instance the dis
grace OF it is reflected upon the nation al
large. Inc Cuuooo, "ooe bo "eh''"eo,
are the best judges of what is noxious and
injurious to them, if they declare by their
rulers aud literati Gas they have most promi.
nently done in this instsnce) that any cause
of proceeding is injurious to them, we are
bound, apprehend, 10 accept their iesti-
mony, and are bound, as right minded per.
sons, more especially as profsssed Christians,
TO respect their wishes; as moral agents We
violate the first principles of Christianity, 10
endeavor TO force noxious aud prohibited
drug, like opium, upon them for the sake OF
gain"
He states further, that he has for the last
seven years witnessed this sad traffic in
China, ard seen the effects OF j, upon the
Chinese people. The great majority OF OPT.
um- eaters of the con,moner class resor'ed 10
public places called Quangs, OF opium-dens,
who are provided with every convenience
for the indulgence of the fearful practice
The effects of the drug, when taken ia small
quantities, are fascinating, exhilaraiiLg and
eyciiino. But the repetition soon begins 10