The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-05-28
The Oldest Empire and the Youngest
Republic. ,a'--..,-.,

The "Flowery Empire and the United
States Of America have joined hands, and
the nation which was old and venerable
when CoIuaBus rs.ssiled, has fairly en-
tered upon an era;of enlightenment and
progress. China is one Of the wonders Of
the Universe. When CHRIST died, her peo-
pie had already discovered the art of max
ing paper; weseenturies before HAROLD
fell at Hastings, the Chinese were practised
printers. the arts, in the sciences, in
bellies lettres, China was centuries in advance
of modern civilizations; but the strength
which enabled her to make 90 rapid prog
ress in her early ages failed at last, and
the Chinese Empire stood still and silent
while Rome rose and fell, while the flaming
sword Of MAHoMIr founded The power of
the ssracen,s while the, hardy Northmen
knocked at the gates. of Paris, and Saxon
England, grown to manhood, sent forth her
sturdy children to people and develope the
fsrthest regions Of the earth. It seemed
that the snimation Of the Empire was sus-
pended. Exhaustion had followed inces-
SAINT exertion, and only centuries Of repose
could give to China the new life that would
enable her to,reaoh the level of those who,
though for hundreds of years her interiors,
had now passed her by.
But China had within her the elements Of
stability, and the mingled despotism and
democracy of her system Of government
prevented; ;hercfrom being added to the long
roll Of extinct nations-ities.1 The head of
her government was immovsbls and abso-
lutte. But rank and power in her domin-
ions depended on personal merit, and the
sonof the poorest coolie might rise to the
second place in the Empire.
While Europe was in state Of chaos, to
have nothingto do.with the "outer bsrba-
rians" WAS the wisest and safest course.
As tipe rolled on, the Chinese chrysalis
for ftsneH birth; and, when the
West had entered upon the path Of modern!
iEwss in accordance. with the
traditions: Of Chinese policy to- place the
neweand old governmental systems in SYM
pathy with eaok other. To this oircum-
stance is due the famous embassy Of which
Nh. BuRLIaaAas.islehief. ..'.,-. -. *.
saAms.icai may now secure that Eastern
trsdsAwhich IS, in itself, the fortune Of a
people, bntlittle can she show the Chinese
ambassadors that they will. reverence or
admire. :. They wilrsss oountry-ruled by.
Jacks-in-ofdoe-pertect inmeohsnical skill,
but wholly dexoid of national integrity.
They will see in full blast q protective .sys.
tenn that they themselves are about to sban-
don, and profit and, position sold in broad
Daylight by those who command; pat sonage
and place. They will be shocked in their
traditional love for age, and in their quaint
honesty Of purpose. They will see peo-
Pile loaded down; with taxation. and bound
by tyranny, and will return to- Pekin rich
in worldly knowledge, but poor in their ex-
perience Of probity and worth.
Lamentable now is the contrast between
the ancient despotisms and this once free
Republic. Russia emancipating her serfs
and forcing the unifcation of her peoples.
China opening her ports and sending an
embassy to Europe and the West Amer.
ica-the glorious and free-rending her
own children, and stamping out her own
race, and giving the African Fetish as
god to many millions of people. If this is
to be American freedom, for Russian or
Chinese slavery well may we pray.