The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-10-27
The Recall of MIR. j. Ross
Browne.


Presidency of the United States, the one
which affects China most is the recall of
Dir. j. Ross Browne, who succeeded Mr..
BurlIugame as United States Minister at
Pekin. Mr. Browne is recalled, the New
! York papers tells US, because the Presi-
| dent a is not pleased with the tone of his
official dispatches about the Chinese and
| the nilsson of Mr.. Burlingame. The Pres
| ident wishes to see that mission successful,
and does not coincide with the views of
Mr.. Browne about the opposition of the
people of China to progress" The case
/ exactly illustrates the difference Of opinion
which exists between all foreigners in Chi
IA and their Governments at home in re-
gard to this question. The latter have
been persuaded by Mr.. Burlingame that
China is anxious for progress, that her
rulers have seen the error Of their old ex-
elusive ways and that they now stretch
out the hand of invitation to foreigners,
promising not only welcome, but intelligent
acceptance of the principle and appliances
of civilization, whose worth the latter have
tested and proved. We see, if anything,
increased reliance on the old plan of rails
ing objections to the most reasonable sug-
gestions we see increased difficulty in get
ting satisfaction for wrong suffered, either
from the provincial authorities or at Pekin.
We see, to quote the words of recent
able article in the Supreme Court and Con-
suidr Gazette:
1.-The prosperity of the country strang
led in the birth we see the most evident
improvements steadily opposed by the rul-
ing classes; we see industry hampered and
obstacles placed in the way of free inter
communication ; we see feeble Govern
ment, yet strong enough to obstruct, ally
ing itself with prejudices, laughed at by
even an ordinary Chinese. fearful lest with
the removal of the forced isolation Of its
people it should itself finally be over
thrown"
In common with his countrymen and
other foreign residents in China, Mr..
Browne has seen this, but has failed to see
progress and, therefore, he is recalled, to
make room for Mr.. Howard, who goes ont
with instructions to find totally different
state of affairs. If he be successful, he will
give proof of keener vision than any foreign
official or resident in the country. So far
from the Chinese mission implying pro-
gress, circumstances force the conviction
expressed by the Times in an article ION
the % of September, 1868 on the new
American Treaty, that the parting instruc-
lions of the Pekin Cabinet were :" Stop
all progress as to the rest, carte blanche,
say and do what you like"
Mr.. Burlingame has said and done what
he has liked, and he has spoken with SO
good effect that he has indoctrinated Wes-
tern Governments with two grave fallacies
first, that the Chinese Government
desire progress; secondly, that it is willing
and able to coerce its provincial subordi-
mates into honorable and just conduct
toward foreigners. 1t needed very little
experience at Pekin to convince Mr..
Browne how mistaken were these impress
sions. Instead of finding the enlightened,
liberal, and upright men, whose praise Mr..
Burlingame had sung, he found a Govern
ment whose chief anxiety was to oppose,
whose constant struggle it was to evade,
changes. 1t is subject of general regret
that he is leaving China, for he proved
himself clearsighted, painstaking, and en-
ergetic. The consolation, however, re-
mains that his ability and influence will be
usually employed at home in opening the
eyes Of his countrymen to the real position
of affairs, and in removing the deception
under which they labor. The Pacific
States have never been much deluded, and
their support will help him to convert the
East.
| believe, with most other men who have
followed Mr.. Burlingame's career, that no
one is more astounded at the ready accep-
lance his views have met than that gentle
man himself. l do not believe that he con-
templated producing tenth Of the i'm
preston he has done, or that be dreamt of
pressing the new policy he set out to
preach one-tenth part so far towards it log
ical consequence. There is such thing
as reductiO dd dbSurdlem, setting out from
a true standpoint of justice to China, he
has succeeded in reaching the painful eli
max. He has deduced course of action
which actually implies injustice toward all
her teening millions. There is vast step
from the inevitable guuboat'' policy. |
which presents itself 20 the Imagination of |
the English public, to the complete with
drawal Of all pressure that should impel the |
Chinese Government on the path of pro- |
gress. Both mistakes spring from one err
ror--a confusion of the Chinese Govern
ment with the Chinese people. No great |
er mistake can be made than to suppose |
their wishes and interests are identical. |
They are so divergent as to be in some |
respects antagonistic Uninhuenced by |
their officials, the people are generally |
friendly to foreigners, well disposed to |
accept foreign appliances. and keenly
alive to the advantages of foreign trade. |
Our enemies-or opponents, if the former
word be too strong-are the officials and |
hterati. Conscious of their own weakness
and venality, they dread beyond every
thing the flood of light that accompanies
foreign ingress, and the damaging COMPARE
son Of their own with foreign institutions.
To quote again the words of the cogent |
writer to whom | have once before referr
ed:
Free trade means free intercourse
railroads and telegraphs mean the bringing
together of people from distant localities:
the reform Of the transit tax system means
a greatly increased internal trade. All
these are good for the people, but how for
the governors The knowledge that their
trust has been abused creates in their mind
the worst misgivings ; but, fortunately, in
stead Of fitting themselves for the new DO
sition of affairs, they, like the Minister of
Rehoboam, strive to Increase the pressure
% their dependents. If the 100000. 900
Of Chinese really wish to enter into the
comfy of nations, our experience leads us
to believe that they will find the greatest
obstacle in their road to be the opposition
IF the Government, of whose feelings Mr..