The New York herald., 1869-08-29

American and English policy and 40 such jealous,
betwe the citizens or the two nations on this cos
| the United states. The interests OF each are re
Rarded as concurrent; and have not yet heard .
single American merchant make invldous rehec
tons upon the 'thr0at policy"
without going back into the history OF treaties
made prior TO 1858 ana the advances gained step oy
step under the pressure Of British and French arms
up 70 the residence OF foreign Ministers at Pekin II
will not he accounted strange that should accept
| res OF Chinese progression. Whether more ad-
vanageous results might not have been obtained Oy
peaceaoe means whether the fault OF our unsasls,
factory progress may not be traced TO the unjust and
iniqutous conduct OF foreigners In China since the
| days OF Kang.he; whether 1t would not have been
better had justice moderation ana good iaitn been
observed on both sides, not questions that can
now be determined. II undertake TO go back and
make reparation for all the crimes and errors commit
ted throughout the past fear We viii no. advance
much In the future. We can only accept the present
and profit by experience and, experience teach Is
anytime, 1t Is that neither lOrDearance persua-
sIen has ever advanced the cause Of civilization o
single step In this country.
In all the important conflicts with China, which
eliminated In the treaties OF Tientsin, the govern
ment OF the United States in conformity with Its
tabshed policy maintained position Of neutralit Z:
This position, however, furnished ground
use Of force. Mr. Reed, N his despatches
vices rendered to citizens and our commerce BY
Great Britain and In letter to Mr.. Cass says
Nothing is more ksly to defeat the true aim, Of
jealousy OF English or French progress seeing, as
do, IN the ports and markets Of China, wherever
il; that every dollar that Great Britain spends on its
postal service or in maintaining Its naval force is
Ior our ~, 6enent" similar acknowledgements were
ferrng to the liberal course pursued by Sir Freder
lex Bruce and others who had preceded MIN in the
inauguration OF the cooperative policy, said:-
There can be nothing more unmeaning than an
tagonlsm between the United States and Great Brit
ain in China" Mr.. Williams referring to the re-
vision OF British trearV 1SRX fpsflmOnV
the efficiency and general justice OF the British
government and its Officials IN China.
it is by means certain that the Chinese are dis
posed to accord to Americans, because of their for
bearance, higher degree Of respect or confidence
has obtained the United States that they are cxcep.
uonaliy friendly to us. l have discovered nothing
during my residence In Pekif to warrant such
sumption. They regard Americans as they do all
foreIgners-wlth dstrust. What was said by TsuDy-
hing and his associate commissioners IN 1854, tnat
",he England barbarans ire full OF insdous schemes
uncontrOlabiy fierce anu inperiOus - :haL the
American nation does no more than follow their
direction;' that "every movement is the conception
oil the Engsh;' NAV possibly have undergone some
modification since that date; but, II so, fancy 1t is
rather IN form than in substance. The experience
or Mr.. Reed IN 1855 was that 'steadast neutrality
and consistent friendship make no impression on
the Isolated 0bduracy OF this empire.n al never
thought" said he, that there was, on the part OF the
Offlcals any such distinction; am OF it.''
Mr. Williams expressed similar views In 1852
''The principle OF conduct towards all foreign
nations which this government adopts Is Isolation.
Keep them at as great q distance a. possible,
and get into no quarrels with them If it can be
avoided Is their rule. 1t is quite mistake to
suppose that the rulers Of China have any regard
for one nauon more than another; that they are
more friendly for instance towards the Americans
the Eng ish and Russians more than they do the
Americans but tney would be glad If none Of them
ever came near.o
The Emperor Renfung, on the occasion OF Mr.
Wards humiiating attempt to reach the impe-
rial presence, expressed himself stil decidedly
'What this foreigner (ward) remarks. that he re-.
epecs the great Emperor as much as he does that
President "a contempt9ous way OF reierMng to the
President OF the United States is nothing less than
to class the Middle Kingdom with bafparous tribes.
Such wild exataton OF himself can only be ielegated
to subjects which make one laugh"
There has undoubtedly been change in their
estimate OF foreigners since that date. The logic OF
arms has compelled respect. But If we suppose q
change IN their opinions and policy, we must sup
pose cause. There has been no war since 1860; no
act Of flagrant wrong has been committed by any
foreign Power; no new policy has been eliminated;
justice and moderation have been observed by all
the treaty Powers; the influence OF Great Britain as
well of the United States has been freey given 10
the maintenance OF the imperial government
against rebellion which would probably have
crushed but ior foreign intervention In effect since
the establishment OF diplomatic relations at PeKin
there has been perfect accord between the for
eign Ministers on all subjects Of general interest No
best proof that no exceptional inauence has been
obtained, may be found IN fact that oil advances
made, all recommendations for the introduction of
foreign improvements, all applications for grants,
concessions or privileges Of whatever character and
from whatever source, have been rejected with the
In the United States. the sending forth by China
OF an Embassy to treat with the Western Powers,
was hailed as one Of the grandest progressive
movements OF modern times. Sensible Of the
importance OF encouraging foreign intercourse,
China, 1t was alleged, mad now, OF her own
entered upon career OF Improvement, she dld not
wait to be pressed, but took the initiative All she
desired was fair treatment and time to adapt herself
to the new order Of things. proposition so rea
sonabe as this and SO accordant with the generous
sentiment OF the civilized world could not lal
to be received with great favor. 1t was what
everybody desired, and was considered in America
as furnishing gratifying evidence, not only Of the
progressive spirit OF the age, but OF American innu
The movement, however was not indigenous nor
does its object yet seem to be thoroughly under
stood. 1t Ii quite clear to my mind that it was
not intended by the Chinese rulers as o progress
sive movement. None OF the foreign governments
were bringing any undue pressure to bear upon
them. II they desired TO adopt our improved sys-
terms OF intercommunication and industry who vas
preventing them? They were surrounded by the intel.
gent representatives OF the Western governments,
who had contributed to the establishment OF pacinc
policy and who had given evidence Of their SINGER
ity and friendship. What the imperial authorities
wanted In reality was to arrest progress into whcn
they found themselves drifting by the sheer force of
circumstances But 1t Is a curious feature in the
history OF foreign intercourse with China that every
attempt made by the Chinese TO force back the cur
rent OF change has had precisely the opposite effect
\ from that intended. Every measure taken to re-
strict the advance OF an aggressive civilization has
resulted In an additional step forward. Tnat TINS
embassy VIII contribute TO the cause of progress
have no doubt Whatever brings nations nearer
together must tend TO the establishment OF better
understanding ana the removal OF oDstructi0ns to
frendl, intercourse. This was very clearly seen by
Lord Elgin IN MS negotiations connected with the
treaty OF Tien tsin in 1853 Objecng 10 the plea OF
ignorance set up by the Chinese CommIsso oners when
| discussing foreign allairs-a plea doubtless well
founded, but too frequently used a subterfuge
10 evade responsibllities-he earnestly recommended
that the Emperor should send to Europe high aud
trustworthy officers, and obtain that knowledge
which IL Is essential to the dignity and security OF
| his empire that tney should possess" 10 was sub
sequenty urged upon the Chinese government by
| the foreign representatives at Pekln, and was
specially recommended by Mr.. Burlirgame IN 1865,
when tnat gentleman was about TO visit Europe and
the United states 1t was also recommended by Mr.
Secretary Seward In December, 1855. But there was
another and more direct influence at WORK for some
| time preceding the appointment Of the Embassy
On the dismissal OF Mr. Lay, in 1863, Sir Frederick
| Bruce ana Mr. Burngame strongly recommended
| the appointment OF Mr.. Robert Hart as In
| spector General OF customs. THIS gentleman hat
| the confidence OF the Chinese government; he hat
abored efficiently In its service, and he assumed thu
| duties OF ms position with thorough knowledge o
| tne cOnnltOn oil the country and the necessities