The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-01-06


been done under II q mere usurpauon.
1t was well and wise to confer this power
on Congress, because, had IL been lett to the
States, its efficient exercise would have been
impossible. In that event, any one State
could have effectually continued the trade
not only for itself, but for all tho other slave
States, though never so much against their
will. And whyi Because African slaves,
when once brought within the limits OF any
one State, In accordance with its laws, can.
not practically be excluded from any other
State where slavery exists. And even IL all
the States had separately passed laws pro.
hibiting the importation Of slaves, these laws
would have failed Of effect for want of ma.
val force to capture the slavers and to guard
the coasts. Such force no State can EN-.
ploy in time Of peace without the consent Of
Congress.
These acts Of Congress, 1t is believed, have
with very rare and Insignificant exceptions,
accomplished their purpose. For period Of
more than half q century, there has been no
perceptible addition to the number Of our
domestic slaves. During this period, their
advancement in civilization has far surpassed
that of any other portion Of the African race.
The light and the blessings Of Christianity
have been extended to them, and both their
moral and physical condition have been great
ly improved.
Reopen the trade, and II would be diff
cult to determine whether the effect would
be more deleterious to the interests Of the
master or to those Of the native.born slave.
OF the evils to the master, the one most to
be dreaded would be the introduction Of wild,
heather and ignorant barbarians among the
sober, orderly and quiet slaves, whose an.
cestors have been oil the soil for several gen.
erations. This might tend to barbarize and
exasperate the whole mass, and produce the
most deplorable consequences. The effect
upon the existing slave would, II possible, be
still more deplorable. At present he is treat.
cd with kindness and humanity. He is well
fed, well clothed, and not overworked. His
condition is incomparaby better than that OF
the coolies. which modern nations Of high
civilization have employed Us q substitute for
African slaves. Both the philanthropy and
the self. interest of the master have combined
to produce this humane result. But let this
trade be re.opened, and what will be the Of.
| fecti The same, TO considerable extent, as
on a neighboring island-.the only spot now
on earth where the African slave trade is
openly tolerated, and this in defiance of SOL
emn treaties with power abundantly able
at any moment to enforce their execution.
There the master, intent upon the present
gain, extorts from the slave as much labor as
his physical powers are capable of enduring
knowing that, when death comes to his re-
lief, his place can be supplied at price 10.
duced to the lowest point by The competition
Of rival African slave traders. Should this
ever be the case in our country-which do
not deem possble-the present useful char.
acter of the domestic institution, wherein
those too old and too young to work are pro.
vided for with care and humanity, and those
capable of labor are no. overtasked, would
undergo an unfortunate change. Thc!feeling
of reciprocal dependence aud attachment
which now exists between master and slave
would DO converted into mutual distrust and
hostility.
But we are obliged as q Christian and NOR.
al nation to consider what would be the eff
feet upon unhappy Africa itself II we should
reopen the slave trade. This would give the
trade an impulse and extension which 1t has
never had even in its palmiest days. The
numerous victims required to supply It would
convert tho whole slave coast into perfect
Pandemonium, for which this country would
be held responsible in the eyes both Of God
and man. Its petty tribes would then be
constantly engaged in predatory wars against
each other, for the purpose Of seizing slaves
to supply the American market. All hopes
of African civilization would thus be ended.
On the other hand, when a market for
African slaves shall no longer be furnished In
Cuba, and thus all the world be closed a.
gainst this trade, we may then indulge a rea-
sonable hope for the gradual improvement Of
Africa. The chief motive of war among the
tribes will cease whenever there is no longer
any demand for slaves. The resources of
that fertile but miserable country might then
be developed by the hand Of industry and
afford subjects for legitimate foreign and do.
mestic commerce. In this manner Christi
anity and civilization may gradually penetrate
the existing gloom.
Treaty eih China.
The wisdom of the course pursued by this
government towards China has been vindica-
ted By the event. Whilst we sustained
neutral position in the war waged by Great
Britain and France against the Chinese en- |
pire, our late Minister, in obedience to his
instructions, judiciously co.operated with the
Ministers OF these Powers in all peaceful
measures to secure by treaty the just con-
cessions demanded by the interests OF foreign |
commerce. The result is that satisfactory |
treaties have been concluded with China by |
the respective Ministers of the United States, |
Great Britain. and France and Russia. Our
"treaty. or general convention OF peace,
amity, and commerce." with that empire was
concluded at Tientsin on the 18th June, 1878,
and was ratified by the President, by and
with the advice and consent OF the Senate,
on the 2lst December following.
On the 10Th December, 1858, John L.
Ward, a distinguished citizen Of Georgia, was
duly commissioned as envoy extraordin airy
and minister plenipotentiary to China. He
left the United States for the place Of his
destination on the 9Th OF February, 1909,
bearing with him the ratified copy 'of this
treaty, and arrived at Shanghae on the 18th |
May. From thence he proceeded to Pekin, |
ON the 10th June, but did not arrive at that
city until the 27th July. According to tho
terms OF the treaty the ratifcations were to
he exchanged ON or before the 18th June. |
1859. This was rendered impossible by res. |
sons and events beyond his control. not ne.
cessary to detail but still II is due to the
Chinese authorities ut Shanghae to state that
they always assured him no advantage should
be taken Of the delay, and this pledge has
been faithfully redeemed.
On the arrival of Mr. Ward at Pekin he
requested an audience Of tho Emperor to pre-.
sent his letter OF credence. This he did not
obtain in consequence OF his very proper re.
iusal to submit TO tho humiliating cerenon.
les required by the etiquette Of this strange
people in approaching their sovereign. New.
ertheless the interviews on this subject were
conducted in the most friendly spirit and
with all due regard to his personal feelings
and the honor Of his country. When pre-
sentation to his Majesty was found to be i'm
possible, the letter Of cIedence from the Pres
ident Of the United States was received with