Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-10-03

The London imes ON she Chinese
-Quessfon--England Power TO sub
due China near at hand.
BALTIMORE, Sept.27. =
e The London Times Of Sept. 18th, contains
the following editorial on the existing diff
culties with China, in which, after review of
the late discontinue of the British troops at
Peiho, it says:
India, close at hand, is swarming with
superabundant soldiers we'll disciplined,
thoroughly acclimated, and anxious for en-
ployment-= diversion of a portion of these
ornaments to the shores of China, would re-
lieve our Indian finances for the Chinese of
course must pay for the wars. They would
find our troops the occupation which they
desire nd-would rapidly cradle us to re-
cover the position which the late miscarriage
has cost US. ~f2HF
India is the second center ofBritish strength
an empire in itself-and ii would be strangr,
indeed. it, with such an empire. gorged as il
is with soldiers, and Immediately contiguous
10 the seat Of war. we should be under any
necessity to send troops on tedious and pro-
tracted voyage from these shores.
All we want is rapidity of communication,
and 1t is now again that we miss the compile
tion of the Indian telegraph. Had we done
as we might have done, London by this time
ought to have been only weeks post from
Calcutta. The old Sepoy regiments, or at
least those of Bengal, were generally averse
to foreign service. tt5ta
Tbey were enlisted especially for home
duty. bad superstitiOus dread of q voyage,
and scarcely lived even TO cross the Indus.
Even now. perhaps our less regular regi
ments b. d better be invited tn volunteer for
,he expedition in China. With good Off
GERS, the prospect Of good service, and these
troops would go anywhere and do anything,
but it is best to 1t them exercise free choice.
Not the least difficulty need be anticipate. d in
getting sufficient numbers. India is not very
plastic in its yield of revenue, but there is no
kind OF doubt about its productiveness in
men.
Looking at the matter in this light, and
Keeping steadily in mind that the Chinese
must pay the whole expense, to the uttermost
farihing, we may perhaps, succeed in con-
vlncing ourselves that.except for sorrow and
dismay, inseparable from the loss of brave
lives, and maritime disaster. there is not
much to threaten us with serious trouble in
this repulse at Peiho. India can produce the
men required not only without embarrass-
ment, but with positive relief China must
find the money, and with these prospects. our
impending relations with the Celestial EN-
pire need give MS but little concern, as far as
regards any drain upon our resources at
home
Large as the Indian armies are, they could
be donled tomorrow by mere word from
The Government, which often finds it bard 10
pay soldiers, but never hard to raise them.
These troops, too, would be already Injured
. to the climate of the East, and are far supe-
rlor to the Chinese inintelligence and valor.
To be brief, instead of considering that the
Western Islanders are called on TO fit out an
expedition to the East. let us consider that
the Sovereign Of India has been mOrtal.y pro-
voked by the Emperor of China, and that
The military resources of the former State are
teniold those of the latter. r.
When we garrison India with 10000 Brit
ish troops, besides three times IA many native
levies, we have surely done enough for all
our settlements in the East. wherever situa-
ted, and perhaps popular and victOriousex-
petition may serve better than anything else
to appease that restlessncss of military spirit
which the lassitude of inactiOn. succeeding to
the excitement of trying campaign, has ap-
parenIly generated in Bengal.
Commenting on the fight itself, the Times
says:
Without accusing the Admiral OF any griev-
Gus error as yet, we may. at least, express
our belief that the two portions OF the as
sault were singularly misplaced, and that
each was ill-managed. Had the forts been
carried. the removal Of the boOms. stakes
and barriers would 'have been harmless and
operations. The attack by sea was
too late landing, and singularly injudicious
both as to time and place. Scarcely had the
ships been engaged. when they were deprived
of half the benefit of the reserve reinforce
ment, and the boats, by the ebbng tide. ANY
officer who had been week in the Chinese
river. should have foreseen that there would
b. mud banks on the shore ut ebb tide. In
all the operations of war, barbarians viii
fight we'll if they are attacked as they expect
attack. Place them under cover, advance
straight 90 their guns, and the Chinese will
not finch to load. point and fire them. Had
those splendid sailors aud marines been land
ed early in the day, at the top of the tide.
well covered by the fire of the iotilla, and
directed to make wide sweep toward the
rear of the forts, we should probably have
had to record a bloodless victory instead of a
bloody repulse.
When this fire of the gun-boats is almost
to march right up to the guns of an enemy
confident in uumlstakable success. and we
hurl them pell-mcll at the works. Mud and
water fight against us There are no posi-
tiOns, no ladders, and the beaten force re-
treats TO its beaten ships. To say the least
the combination of attacks was inudicious
The termination has undoubtedly been
calamitous. but the triumph of the war party
in China will be but short Every one Of our
ships must he rebuilt with Chinese silver.
1t remains 10 be seen what compensation we
shall exact for the loss of so many gallant