Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-01-05

been extended to them, and both thei
moral and physical condition has beer
greatly improved.
/ Reopen the trade, and it would be diff
fcult to determine whether the effec
would be more de!eterious to the interest.
of the master, or on those of the native
born slave. Of the evils to the master
the one most to be dreaded would be tht
introduction of wild, heather and ignor
ant barbarians among the sober, orderly
and quiet slaves, whose ancestors have
been on the soil for several generations
This might tend to barbarize, demoralize
and exasperate the whole mass, and pro-
duce the most deplorable consequence.
The effect upon the existing slavse, would, il
possible, he still more deplorable. At present, he
! is treated with kindness and humanity. He iswel
fed, well clothed, and not over-worked. His con
dition is incomparably better than that of the
Coolies which modern nations of high civilization
have employed as q substitute for African slaves
Both the Philanthropy and self-interest of the
master have combined to produce this humane re.
suit. But let this trade be re-opened and what
will be the effect? The same, to considerable
extent, as on neighboring island the only spot
i Cu C1rtu Huefe Tue African Save lIdQe Is Openly
tolerated, and this in defiance of solemn 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
relief, splace can be supplied at price reduced
| to the lowest point by the competition of rival
African slave-traders. If this should ever be the
case in our country-which do not deem posi-
ble-the present useful character of the domestic
institution, wherein those too old and too young to
work are provided for with care and humanity,
and those capable of labor are not over-tasked,
would undergo an unfortunate change. The feel
ing of reciprocal dependence and attachment which
now esists between master and slave, would be
converted into mutual dstrust and hostility.
But we are obliged as a Christian and moral
nation to consider what would be the effect up
On unhappy Africa itself if we should reopen
the slave trade. This would give the trade an
impulse and extension which it has never had
even in Its palmiest days. The numerous vic
Tins required to supply it would convert the
whole slave coast into perfect pandemonium,
for which this country would be held response
BILE in the eyes both Of God and man. Its pet
ty tribes would then be constantly engaged in
predatory wars against each other; for the pur-
pose of seizlRg slaves to supply the American
market. All hopes of African civilization would
thus be ended.
On the other hand, when market for Afri-
can slaves shall no longer be furnished in Cuba,
and thus all the world beclosed against this trade
we may then indulge reasonable hope for the
gradual improvement of Africa. The chief mo-
tive of war among the tribes will cease whenev-
er there is no longer any demand Ior slaves
The resources of that fertile but miserable coun-
try might then be developed by the hand ofin-
dUstry, and afford subjects for legitimate foreign
and domestic commerce. In this way Christi
anity and civilization may gradually penetrate
the existing gloom.
The wisdom of the course pursued by this
government towards China has been vindicated
by the event Whilst we sustained a neutral
position in the war waged by Great Britain and
France against the Chinese Empire our late
Minister. in obedience to his instructions, Judi
ciously co-operated with the Ministers of these
powers in all peaceful measures to secure by
treaty the Just concessions demanded by the in
terests of foreign commerce. The result is, that
satisfactory treaties have been concluded with
China by the respective Ministers of the United
States, Great Britain, France and Russia. Our
"treaty, or general convention of peace, amity
and commerce." with that empire was conelu-
ded at Mientsin on the 18th June, 1885, and was
ratified by the President, by and with the ad
vice and consent of the Senate, on the 2lst De-
cember following.
On the 18th December, 1858, John E. Ward,
distinguished citizen of Georgia, was duty
commissioned as envoy extraordinary and min
lister plenipotentiary to China. He left the Uni
ted States for the place of his destination on the
5th of February, 1859, bearing with him the
ratified copy of this treaty, and arrived at
Shanghai on the 28th May. From thence he
proceeded to Pekin, On the 10th June, but did
not arrive at that city until the 9th of July
Aooo Tn fbaf off fha fxyf fho
cations were to be exchanged on or before the
18th June. 1859. This was rendered impossible
by reasons and events beyond his control not
necessary to detail but still it is due to the Chi
nese authorities at Shanghai to State that they
always assured him no advantage should be ta-
ken of the delay, and this pledge has been faith
fully redeemed.
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at Pekin he re-
quested an audience of the Emperor to present
his letter of credence. This he did not obtain
in consequence of his very proper refusal to
submit to the humiliating ceremonies required
by the etiquette of this strange people in ap-
preaching their sovereign. Nevertheless the
interviews on This question were conducted in
the most friendly spirit and with all due regard
to his personal feelings and the honor of his
country. When presentation to his Majesty
was found to be impossible the letter of Gre
dence from the President of the U. S., was re-
ceived with peculiar honors by Kweiling, "'the
Emperors Prime Minister and the second man
in the empire to the Emperor himself" The
ratifcations of the treaty were afterwards, on
the 18th of August, exchanged in proper form
at Pei-tsang. As the exchange did not take
place until the day prescribed by the treaty, it
is deemed proper, before its publication, to sub
init it again to the Senate.
1t is but simple justice to the Chinese author
ities to observe, that. throughout the whole
transaction they appear to have acted in good
faith and in friendly spirit towards the Uni
ted States 1t Is true this has been done after
their own peculiar fashion; but we ought to
regard with lenient eye the ancient customs of
an empire dating back for thousands of years.
SO far as this may be consistent with our own
national honor The conduct of our minister on
the occasion has received my entire approba-
tion.
In order to carry out the spirit of this treaty
and to give it full effect, it became necessary to
conclude two supplemental conventions-the
one for the adjustment and satisfaction of the
claims of our citizens, and the other to FIX the
tariff on imports and exports. and to regulate
the transit duties and trade of our merchants
with China. This duty was satisfactorily per-
formed by our late minister. These conven-
tions bear date Mt Shanghai on the Sth of No
vember, 1858. Having been considered in the
light of binding agreements subsidiary TO the
principal treaty, and to be carried into execution
without delay, they do not provide for any for
NAL ratification or exchange of ratifcations by
the contracting parties. This was not deemed
necessary by the Chinese, who are already pro-
ceeding in good faith to satisfy the claims ofour
citizens. and it is hoped, to carry out the other