New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-17
CHINA.
,cs Of The N. Y. Tribune.


sort Of half quescence, though so much uncertainty
has prevailed with respect to what might be the
next move, that every one is ready for an excite
ment at short notice. 1t is only by receipt OF the
present mail from England that the assurance OF
new allied forces being sent out here has been estao-
hshtd; and, even now, we are as far as ever from
knowing what the forces viii do when they arrive.
If an advance upon Pekin is in view, then we stand
upon the threshold Of the most important scenes
which have yet TRANSFERRED If, however, the opera
tons be confined to the capture and destruction
Of the forts at the Peiho, ending with an
spology nom the Emperor and a peaceful embas-
sy TO Pekin-in this case there will be very little
excitement and no important changes. SO far as
actions speak, the determination of the Emperor
cannot be misunderstood; and an advance upon
pekin will prove a very different undertaking from
ANYTHING which has yet been tried; and, since the
majority of the English contingent are likely to be
native troops from India 81 remains to be seen how
fbey compare with the MOngOls of the North. Ger
tain is it that a enemy, aud one more formida-
bic than any which has before opposed ITSELF is found
in these hardy Northern Chinese; and, though there
is good reason TO doubt the opinion, at one time
freely expressed concerning Russiano or other foreign
assistance being at the service of the enemy, yet
1dct Dtl ODu Oispulo III thO
tification and gunnery much has been learned, and
not badly learned, from foreign schools. 1t Is wor
fhy of note too that in place OF the clumsy match
locks or gingals with which the Chinese have NTH
ertO been content muskets and even rifles, are by
no means scarce among them now. Ihstact is Pc
culiarly applicable to this locality In which, every
week greater or less quantities of small arms are
sold at public auction, and invariably purchased by
Chinese; not unfrequenty pistols in lots of fifty to
hundred pair being brought IN. This last tact Is
derived from personal observation; and in view o.
the fact that war is imminent at the North II
to lOOker-On strange that so constant sup
ply ofweapOns should be afforded the enemy. How
ever, it s q strange country every way While the
British feet bOmbarded Canton Chinese boats sup
piled food for the fleet. Perhaps, to return the
compliment, the Chinese are to be furnished arms
and ammunition before they are bOmbarded again.
There are some general characteristics OF China
and its affairs which it seems to me are not under
stood in the States; and for want OF this under
standing an immense amount OF pOintless OF UNJUST
criticism is exercised by the home press The eX-
ceedinQly anti English tone of most of the papers
which reach here from the United States is to be
depOred, not, perhaps, that it does any harm, but
because. 10 all candid observers who have passed
through the scenes of the last three years, these
criticisms must seem for the most part grossly out
of place. If we 90 to the root OF the matter, and
say Thai England has no right to force China to the
are styled civilized nations, then, indeed, after all
our ships and all our citizens are called home with
good grace may American editorials anathematlze
English interference.
But while we are as much intruders as they, and
unite as unwelcOme too, if it comes to an unre-
stricted entrance to the country; while our ships
flock to the open ports for protection IN time OK
danger; while our vessels sail unmOlested this Chi
ma coast which but for the British gun-boats would
SO swarm with pirates that none would be secure;
eybe we are gathering the fruit of every advance
made b.; England, and not always showing good
taste or good manners in reapng where anotner
and not ourselves, has sowni IN word, WINE En-
gland is shaking the tree Justify, and we are pocket
ing the apples as Justify surely the least that we
can do is to keep still and not shout thief alter
the man an the tree.
Your correspondent is aware that some may OBJ
iect 10 this opinion, for it is fashionable to abuse the
old country and sometimes she deserves 1t. But IN
the present case there are but TWO positions tena3e'
Either we must set the example of letting the Chi
pese alone, and going away when hidden, or else
cease 10 complain of England for opening the doors
through which we are the first to press. To give
Droner sketch of Chinese character is impossible IN
the limits of newspaper article; but one or TWO
prominent points must be kept IN view 70 enable
home writers to criticise justly the acts OF BRUSH
or American officials in China. l will speak OF
these briefly:
L The Chinese are not angels, as some appear
10 think. nor are they devils mcarnate, as others
suggest They are not remarkable for either treach-
ery or coWardce, though giving frequent evil
Aenees of both traits. Both these qualities are
naturally produced by the great disadvantages
pnder which they labor when their native offensive
and defensive weapons are brought in contact with
the fearful ingenuity of foreign arms. Ii twenty
nen with reyolyers and MIME rifles can slay hye
hundred Chinese with pixies and gingals before the
latter begin to be effective, it is very probable that
The Eve hundred will soon learn to run from the
twenty; and if open warfare is found IN every III
stance 10 result disastrousy TO the Chinese no mat
fer what the comparison of forces engaged, doubt
le,s deceit and treacbery viii take precedence OF
everything else In these traits the Chinese only
FOLLOW the natural course, when weakness contends
NTH overwhelming power. But whatever the acts
nv the snecia characteristics of the Chinese, they
snrin0 from one grand source; and that is, an In
stinctye aversion to foreign interference; cOhe
NAV talk of the willingness OF the better classes Oh
Chinese 10 admit foreigners to the country; some
NAV talk of kind receptions accorded sundry Mis-
s;onar;es of the Cross; some may talk Ofthe will
ingness of the Chinese TO trade with one country
and another. ..c.
This is well enough so far as it goes. But II TO-
5aV the ouestion could be brought To vote OF the
Chinese Empire, Shall foreigners have access 10
fb;s country there would be such rOusing NO !!
from 400 600 900 voices that the noise might DC
beaTd half round the world. The fear and aver
.;on are botb instructive They are the character
isfics of the Youngest child and the Oldest man.
They have no respect to the title OF iOreigher, ga
cent TINT as England has been the greatest
acourge she is most feared. But the generai sen
timept includes all nations. and all representatives
az all nations If there is bravery shown, 1t is that
foreigners NAV be driven away; If treachery, II Is
e. AZ sau,e end. If living treaty breaking, shut