New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-03-22
IFor the Sunday Republican.
THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE.


and mighty potentates of that ancient en-
pire have paid to us the compliment of
bestowing upon one OF our own citizens a
sort of rowing commission, added to sala-
ry almost double to that received by our
own president, and have sent him forth with
an imposing retinue and with unlimited
powers to represent its interests at all the
courts ofChristendom, it is but natural that
we should henceforth entertain lively and
almost personal concern in all that affects
the interests of this hitherto impenetrable
and mysterious country. The news from
the interior of China has been lately of
very considerable impoI tanee-ot far more
moment, indeed, than has been generally
believed. We had become so accustomed
to hear, with every arrival from China, of
some battle that had been fought with the
rebels who have been n arms against the
imperial government for many years past,
in which protracted contest neither party
seemed to gain any permanent and decisive
advantage, that we had grown weary of
the mOnotonous and inconsequential tale :,
and had ceased, in great mea sure
to keep any connected record of
the struggle. But simultaneously with the
intelligence of Mr.. Burlingame's unlocked
for appointment to his extraordinary mis-
sion comes the intelligence that within the
past six months-that is to say between
the first of July and the last of December,
the rebellion has been carried on beneath
the very eyes of the Mantchu government.
and has gained such headway as to
threaten the existence of the present dy-
nasty. Mr.. Burlingame apparently has
confidence in the final overthrow and sup
preston of the rebellion, since he enters
into the service Of the government at the
very moment when its fortunes seem to be
iD the most precarious condition imagin-
able; but all the most reliable advices from
China, both through English, French, and
American correspondents, indicate that no
well-informed Chinaman, and scarcely any
wellinformed foreigner is now inclined to
stake anything of value upon the chances
of the government being able to maintain
itself.
Very little is definitely and certainly
known concerning the character and OBJ
jects of the party now in armed and sue
cessful revolt The Chinese imperialists
class them as robbers-a name they give to
all rebels. But there is abundant proof
that the object of the insurgents is pOliti-
cal one. The distinguishing mark of an
orderly and loyal Chinaman is a shaved
head and long "tail;" and the possession
of this appendage is so essential to every
respectable man and good citizen that even
its accidental loss would be a matter oi
such serious moment as to entail
upon him seclusion from society and the
payment of heavy fines. But the rebels
have no tail, nor do they shave theiI
heads; and this must be taken as an open
declaration and manifesto Of war against
the established government Of the nation
and not simply the eccentricity of bandits
Moreover, there exists a religious distine
ton between the rebels and the loyal citi
zens of the empire, The insurgents now
in arms should not be confounded with the
rebel Taipings, whose insurrection, so long
formidable, died away of its own accord
rather than was suppressed, giving plact
to the present organization against the gov
ernment, The Taipings refused to shave
their heads, they abjured Bhuddhu, ant
did not eat pork; and as the presen
rebels have the same peeuliarities, there i.
ground for the opinion that the one bod,
! inherits the aims and is composed, il par
at least, of the members of the other. The,
are, in a loose way, said to be Mahomet
ans; but the probability is that while Ma
hometans are in their ranks, especially il
the north of China, where this religion ha
long lourished, the majority of the ma
contents are not of this faith. 1t is NOR
important to know that whatever may b
their political or religious opinions
their military operations display bot
bravery and skill; and that they have nc
only defed the efforts of the imperial gov
ernment to put them down, aud defeate
the armies sent against them, but that {
the date of the last authentic and detaiIe
advces they were threatening the capitt
ITSELF Ho-Nan and Quang-Si are OF
cupied by them; and in the importar
provinces of the north, Shang-Tung an
Chi Ii, the imperialist troops have been ou
unanswered, defeated. and demoralized b
the audacious Nien-fei, which term appear
to be the comprehensive appellation of ii
insurgents. If the reports from Pekin an
Tientsin are not exaggerated, the royi
forces are greatly inferior in number I
those of the rebels, desertions from i
ranks are alarmingly frequent, and to the:
discOuragements are added those of an in
poverished treasury and the prevalence
famine. For several years past the " Gel
eral of the Army " of the Chinese empiI
has been Lihung-chang, commander wh
came to that position with the prestige of
great name, won in former successful war
He has devoted himself, for long time, I
making preparations for a decisive can
paign against the rebels, and, wholly II
gardless of expense, has cast cannon, maj
ufactured powder, fabricated shells, an
drilled his troops to the use of his ne