The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-01-04

other State where slavery exists. And even
II ell the States had sepsrstely passed laws
prohibiting the importation OF slaves, these
laws would have failed of effect for want OF
navel force to capture the sIhvers and to
guard The coasts. Such force no State can
employ In time Of peace without the consent
Of Congress.
These acts OF Congress II is believed,
have, with very rare and insignificant excep
uoIs accomplished their purpose. For 9
period Of more than half a century there
has been no perceptible addition to the mum.
Der Of our domestic slaves. During this
period their advancement in civilization has
fer surpassed that Of any other portion OF the
African race. The light ard the blessings
OF Christianity have been extended to them
and both their moral and physical condition
have been greatly improved.
Reopen the trade, and it would be difficult
to determine whether the effect would be
more deieteFious on the interest Of The mas
Ter or On those Of the native born ElaVe.-
vi the many evils the one most to be dreaded
would be the introduction of wild, heather
and ignorant barbsrians among The sober, or.
derly and quiet slsves, whose ancestors have
been on the soil for several generations
This might tend to barbarize, demoralize and
exasperate the whole mass, and produce
most deplorable consequences.
ihe eI1ect upon the existing slave would
II possible be still mere deplorable. At the
present be is treated with kindness and hu.
manity. He is we'll fed, well clothed, and
not overworked. His condition is incom.
ptrably better than that of the coolies which
modern civilization has employed as a rub.
Stitute for African slaves. Both the philan-
thropy and the self.interest Of the master
have combined to produce this bumsne re-
Euk. But let this uoje be re.opened, and
what will be the effect! The same to q
considerable extent, as On q neighboring
island-the only spot now on earth where
the African slave trade is openly tolerated;
and this in defiance Of solemn treaties with
power abundantly able to enforce their
execution. There the master, intent upon
present gain; extorts from the slave as much
misunderstanding that when death comes
to his relief, his place can be supplied at Q
price reduced 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 possible-the present
useful charscte of the domestic institution
wherein those too old and too young to
work are provided for with care and human
ity, and those capable OF lObor are not ever
tasked, would undergo an unfortunate
change. The feeling of reciprocal depend
eDce end attachment which now exists be-
tween mfster ard slave. would be converted
into mutual distrust ard hostility.
But we are obliged 8s a Christian and
moral naticn to consider what would be the
effect upon urheppy Africa itself if we
should reopen the slave.t trade. This would
give the trade an 10 pulse and extension
which it has never had even in its palmesl
days. TIE numerous victims required ia
supply it WOuld convert the whole slave
coast into perfect Pandemonium, for hich
this country would be held responsible in
the, eyes Of both God and man. Its petty
tribes would then be constantly engaged in
predatory wtrs against each I."c: :c: 70. H. b.!
purpose Of eeizing slaves to supply the
American market. All hopes of African
civilization would thus be ended
On the other hand, when market for the
African shall no longer be furnished in Gu
Uup uIu oil "Ot III UC NlOSSu
this trade, We may then indulge reasonable
hope for the grtdual Improvement of Africa.
The chief motive Of war omcng the tribes
will cease whenever there is no longer any
demand for sllves. The resources of that
fertile but miserable country might then be
developed by the hand Ct industry and afford
subjects for legitimate foreign and domestic
commerce. In this manner Christianity and
civilization may gradually penetrate tie ex.
isting gloom,
The wisdom Of the course pursued by this
Government towards China have been vim.
dicated.by the event. While we sustained
a neutral position in the war wfged by Great
Britain and France against the Chinese EN-.
pire, our late Minister, in obedience to his
instructions, judcic usly co operated with the
ministers of those powers in all peaceful
measures to secure by treaty the just con.
cessioDs demanded by the interests of for.
eign commerce. The result is that satisfac-
tory treaties have been cCncluded with Chi
ma by The respective ministers of the United
States, Great Brituin, France ard Russia -
Our "treoty, or general convention of peace,
amity end commerce." with that empire, wae
concluded at Tien'sin en- the 18th of June,
1868, and WIS ratified ty the President, by
and with the advice and consent OF the Sen.
ate, on the 2lst December following.
On the 18th Decf mber 1853, John E.
Ward, distinguished citizen Of Georgi4 was
duly con nissoned as Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipote ntiary 10 China. He
left the United States for the place of his
destination On The 9Th of February, 1859,
bearing with him the ratified copy of this
treaty, and arrived at Shsnghue on the 2Sth
of Nsy. From thence lie proceeded to Pc.
king on the 10Th June, but did net arrive in
that city until the 9th Of July. According
to he terms of tie tretty tie ratifcations
were to be exchanged { n or before the 18Th
1Une, 1850. This was rendered impossible
by reasons and events beyord his control,
not necessary to detail; but still it is due to
the Chinese authorities at Shanghae to state
that they always assured him no advantage
would be taken cf the delay, and this pledge
has been faithfully redeemed.
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward al Peking he
an audience of the Emperor to
present his letter OF creGence. This he did
not obtUin, in ctp'' qu' nee Of his very proper
refusal to sut miFAo tie lumiliaIiDg ceremo.
mics required by 'he etiquette OF this strange
people in approaching their sovereign. Ne.
vetlheless, the interviews on this question
wtre conducted in the most friendly spirit
END with Cue regard to his personal Zee lings
and the ionor OF his country. When pre-
'entotion 10 his majesty was found to be i'm
possible, the letter OF cretence from the
President was received with peculiar honors
BY K"eilling, "the Emperor's Prime Minis.
ter, ard the secold man in the Empire to
the Emperor himself" The ratifcavions OF
the treaty were afterwards, on the 10Th OF
August, xchenged in proper form at Peist.
sang. AS the exchange did not take place
until after the day prescribed by the treaty,