The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-30

I'D the SOOd Ieam ana honor Vi QUIZ BOVeIhWcus.
The insoient character of the notifications aud
additions to the Cass- Yrisarri treaty call for
another energetic reproof to the foolish gov
eminent Of Nicaragua. Martinez is proving
himself to be the King Bomba of America, and
deserves TO be dealt with accordingly.
The New Treaty with China-I,nportance Of
the Event.
OF the many important events that bave been
crowded into the history Of these latter times,
that which exceeds all the rest in the magnitude
of its consequences to the larger portion of the
human race lie the opening to the trade OF oil
nations of the great empire of China, after its
having been hermeticslly sealed for countless
centuries In the universal feeling Of joy and ex-
citement which the establishment of telegraphic
communication between Europe aud America
las evoked this other great event of the age
has failed to awaken in the public mind that de-
gree of establishment and enthusiasm which,
under other circumstances, it must have elected.
We have not got over the effects of the success
full achievement of science ia the matter of the
Atlantic telegraph enterprise sufficiently to
realize the other grand achievement Of arms
ard diplomacy in the matter of opening the
Central Kingdom to the commerce, enlighten-
ment and civilization of Europe and America.
But, by-and by, we will begin to appreciate
that which has taken place in the Yellow Sea
and on the banks Of the Pei Ho and to regard
the issue of those events as of little less impor-
lance to the world than the work performed be-
tween the eastern and western shores of the
Atlantic a month later, by the Niagara and
Agamemnon. The one is fitting accompani-
ment to the other. The Atlantic telegraph
has even had it's Importance and utility magni-
fed in the public estimation from the suspicious
fact of its having made known to us, in the first
business despatch sent through the cable, that
peace had been made with China; that the Oldest,
most popolous and most exclusive empire in the
world was open to the trade of all foreign
Powers; that the Christian religion was allowed
in all parts of the country, and that foreign
diplomatic agents were to be admitted In its
ports ard at the scat Of government.
The only doubt that obtrudes itself on the
mind in connection with this matter arises In re-
gard to the full meaning of that phrase of the
despatch which informs us that the Chinese En-
Does it mean that all restrictions on trade and
internal and external, further than the
usual Custom House restrictions, ore removed,
and that all parts of the empire are open to the
subjects and citizens of all nations-that our
steamers may ply without let or hindrance the
great Yang TIE Kiang, and that our people may
exchange commodities with the hundred mil
lions Of industrious Celestials to whom that
great river is the avenue Of trade Does it
mean that Yankee and British bargemen may
navigate the great canal; that American and
British capital and enterprise may be invested
In building railroads from Pekin in the north TO
Canton in the south, and in establishing tele.
graphic communication from one end Of the |
populous empire to the others If II means all |
this then, indeed, have Lord Elgin and Baron |
eros obtained more than we could have expect |
ed them TO ask; and then are they entitled to |
the thanks Of the civlized world. Even IL IL only
means that, instead of foreign commerce being
limited to five ports, as by the treaty Of 1912,
all the seaports Of the empire have been de-
clared open, then much has been gained by the |
allied admirals or ambassadors; for the great
difficulty Of trade In China is the costly carriage
Of goods from the five open ports TO the large
md widely extended consuming districts In
dull sailing junks, and against the prevailing
mopsoons Of the coasts and the strong currents
81 the rivers.
We can hardly think that the allied ambassa-
Tors would have been content with such terms,
md Il Is almost as difficult TO believe In their
,avipg obtained from the jealous government
If China the unrestricted privileges conveyed
n the idea Of the whole empire being thrown
pen to the commerce of all nations 1t
nay be, however, that In exchange for
uch o concession the Emperor has been
'romised the aid Of the French and British
orces TO put down the rebellion, and to restore
lis authority throughout the whole of his do
Unions. That, indeed might be an induce
lent strong enough 10 outweigh all the censi-
erations arising from respect for the ancient
olicy of the empire, and to lead the Chinese
government to ascent to the breaking down of
hose ramparts Of prejudice and exclusion that
ave been guarded with such jealous care from
be very foundation Of the government. All
,ings considered, we incline to the opinion that
ne terms Of the treaty as telegraphed from
ondon are TO be interpreted in their widest
'nse-that the whole Empire of China is
,rown open to the trade and intercourse of ,
reign nations, and that the Christian religion 9
permitted TO be taught and practised without a
sstraint.
II so are we not justified in saying that this
esty Of peace with China IL fraught with the .
oct important consequences to mankind J
'bo can estimate the impetus that will be a
wen to our commerce, our manufactures, and I
ir productions Of every kind, when we are