New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-30

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hsad-board mark his resting place, still
bear in mind that he was a patriot, and
died that his country might live. Some
distant mother, or father, or wife, or near
kindred will thank you in their heart Of
hearts, and bless you for single flower
placed over the grave of their dead soldier.
MINISTER BURLIE9AME AND THE CHI
NBsE MISSION
When Charles Sumner was assaulted on
the floor Of the United States Senate, Arson
Burlipgame who had beer elected to Con-
.gress in 1853, and had taken part in the
contest which resulted in the election of n.
P. Banks as Speaker, electrified the coun-
try by speech in denunciation Of that act
which will never be forgotten. Smarting
under the wrongs of the North, he threw
down the glove to the pro-slavery men of
the South, and declared himself ready to
defend Massachusetts and freedom ofspeech
on any field where they might be assailed.
Preston S. Brooks, of South Carolina, sent
a challenge. Mr.. Burlingame accepted,
and selected the rife. As he was dead
shot, Brooks failed to respond,
Shortly after his inaugural Mr.. Lincoln
rendered the Austrian mission to Mr.. Bur
lingame, but the Emperor refused to re-
ceive him for the reason that he had been
instrumental in raising the mission to Sar-
I -. he 10 fba Grch class
Mr.. BurIingame was thereupon transferred
TO China.
When Mr.. Burlingame was sent abroad
he was known as a fluent speaker, man
Of varied information and Of fine magnetic
power, but no one supposed him to be
possessed Of those great administrative
abilities which he has exhibited in China.
The time has not yet come for history of
Mr., Burlingame s mission to the East, but we
will venture to say that no American Min
lister has done our country greater or more
honorable service since Franklin was sent
to Paris. Beyond question no other minis
ter, accredited to a foreign court, has ever
been productive of such eminent and last
ing good to both the government and the
people to whom he was sent.
When Mr.. Burlingame went to China
the old doctrine of force and compulsion
governed the policy of the Christian pow
ers toward that ancient empire. Every
thing was in confusion-in anarchy. Our
minister sought to change all that, and he
effected his purpose. With Sir Robert
Bruce and the Russian Minister to Pekin he
laid the foundation of the cooperative
policy now adopted by the chief treaty
powers, and in which diplomacy and fair
dealing are substituted for threats and vio-
lence, Under this policy the autonomy Of
China was guaranteed, and the concession
doctrine, by which China had been COM
PEELED to make concessions of land at the
treaty ports, and which, il persisted in,
would have led to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
the empire, was given up.
Mr.. Burlingame took the initiative in
suggesting and bringing about all the won
derful changes that have recently occurred
in China. By his request Confederate
pirates were excluded from Chinese waters.
At his suggestion geological survey of
the ancient empire has been begun by
an eminent American, and already
the existence Of vast coal mines ofsuperior
/ quality mas been demonstrated. wheaton
@Elements Of International Law" have
been translated into Chinese An Ameri-
can college at Pekin has been proposed.
The superiority Of the Christian powers in
science and practical knowledge has been
admitted by the Chinese government, and
steps have been taken to adoptwhat is best
in our system. An American can now
safely travel all over China, passport
being scarcely necessary. By the foster
ing aid Of our minister the great cause Of
the Missions has advanced from the south of
China far beyond the 'Great Wall" and
the Gospel is preached to the Mongolians
and tribes that wander on the lofty pla-
teaux Of Eastern China. The first grant of
a submarine telegraph connecting the
''Treaty Portsv from Canton TO Tien-tsin
was made to Mr. Buriingame Under the
cooperative policy the trade of China has
advanced from $50, 000, 600 to $500, 900, 900.
But the straugest event in Mr.. Burlin-
games career, and one Of the most re-
markable steps ever taken In the interest
Of civilization is the choice 81 our minis
ter BY the Chinese to represent them at the
courts Of all the treaty powers sit is the
greatest compliment ever paid to any man, I"
said Sir Rutherford AIceck, sand Mr..
Bprlingame deserves IT, What seemed
but a graceful Chinese compliment to
Minister Burlingame at the farewell ban
quet to which Prince Kung had invited
him soon developed into the Imperial De-
cree concerning upon our eOuntryman en-
baasadorial titles and clothing him win
ample powers. sufely Il ought to satisfy
tie ambition Of gvsa ths most ambitions of
E Americans to be tie recipient Of such hon.
E cla 4 The early age Of forty.slx years ID
De chosen the reprssentatiye Of he Oldest
empire ID the earth 10 TIE courts Of ths
|, civiliaed Aasionss ID aus, % make treaties
: thst shan q pinaiug upon One-shlra Of he
e human RAGS.
Minister Bpznpgame, with the ether dis
tingnishsd members q the Chinese embsn