The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-06-10
HOUSE.

The House assembled ut III o'clock,
that being the hour fixed for the official
reception of the Chinese Embassy. The
attendance of members was worry large,
and the galleries were crowded with
spectators. The members of the Senate
did not respond to the invitation to be
present
The Speaker announced the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Brooks, of New York, on
the committee Of reception in place Of
Mr.. Wood, who was detained at home
on account Of illness.
The Clerk proceeded with the reading
OF the Journal, but in about five min
utes the reading ceased by the direc-
ton of the Speaker, and the Sergeant
alarms announced the appearance at
the principal door Of the committee of
the House with the Chinese Embassy.
The committee aud Embassy advane-
ed up the main aisle, Mr.. Schenck es-
corting Mr.. Burlingame, Mr.. Banks es-
corting Chi Tain and Mr.. Brooks escort
ing Sun Tain, the other members of
the Embassy followed, and all took po-
sitious, facing the Speaker, in the area.
The Speaker, by stroke of his gavel,
indicated that the members OF the
House, who had been on their feet,
should resume their seats.
Mr.. Schenck presented the Embassy
to the House, and Speaker ColfaX deliy-
ed an address of welcome.
Mr.. Burliugaine responded: Mr..
Spcaker-on behalf of my associates
and myself, thank you for this warm
and unusual reception. 1t transcends
all personal compliment; it is the greet
ing of one great people by another; 1t
is the Occident and the Orient for TIE
first time in that electric contact whose
touch makes the whole world kin; it is
the meeting of two civilizations which
have hitherto revOlved i'll separate
spheres; it is Il mighty revolution. Let
us hope, sir, it will so on without
those commissions which are too
apt to mark great changes in
human affairs; let us hope that it will
be achieved without the shedding OF
one drop of human blood. We are for
peace. We came not with the beat OF
the drum nor martial tread, though
representing the latent power of eighty
millions of men, we are the heralds
of good will. We seek for China
that equality without which
nations and men are degraded
We seek not only the good of China,
but your good and the good of all man
kind. We do this in no sentimental
sense. Wo would be as practical rs the
toiliug millions we represent. We in
vite you to broader trade, more init
mate examination of the structure OF
Chinese civilization. We invite you to
better appreciation of the manners OF
that people, their temperance, patience,
habits Of scholarship, their competitive
examinations, their high culture of tea
and silk. aud we shall ask for them from
| YOU modern science which has taken its
| development with the memory of man
and the holy doctrines of our Christian
faith. 1t is for the West to say what
our reception shall be. 1t is for the
West to say whether it was sincere
when il continued fora long time to in.
vite China to more intimate relations
with it. Ii is for the West to say
whether it is for fair and open policy
or for one founded OH prejudice and on
that assumption of superiority which
is justified neither by physical ability
/ nor moral elevation. The people of the
| United States have responded through
their Executive, aud through this
House and through their Speaker with
an unanimity ana nobility of senti'
ment which makes me proud OF
the civilization in which
was reared, and am glad to see it passed
in review by the scholars and states.
men of China. | trust the people OF
the United States will abide by that
sentiment, and do hope it is but an
earnest of that spirit which will meet
Us on the shores of the distant seas and
on the banks of the beautiful rivers
which yon, sir, have named. Thanking
the House for this reception, and you,
sir, for the felicitous and able manner
in which you have expressed its pleas
ure, we await such further action as
the proHrieties of the occasion may re.
quire. tApplause aud clapping OF
bands by the members on the floor and
the spectators in the galleries.
The individual presentation OF the
members of the House to the member
of the Embassy then took place. 1t wa
gone thron sh-with good.h6mored style
some of the younger Celestials seeming
| to enjoy the scene very much, and oc'
casionally occupying themselves in