The New York herald., 1869-08-29

treaties an would render the object for which they
were made attainaDle-au OF which necessarily
crisis was st handthe revision OF the British treaty
Beset BY dificutes on all sides conscious OF tner
own weakness, unable 70 Determine how far q icy N
could evado the responsibilities which had Df en-
forced upon them, ignorant OF the ultimate des hs
OF foreign governments, and incompetent 10 deai
efilcentiy with the questions at Issue, the rulers
adopted the only alternative that promise rei u
from cnange; an alternative in which. since ne De-
ginning o. foreign intercourse tney nave NV Sy ap
embassy TO the Western Powers ostensbly 10 explain
their embarrassment; to deprecate unfriendy press
should be observed towards them In short. to estab-
lsh their right to manage their AFFAIRS In their OWL
opportunity for making any changes which they
mignt deem expedient or conducive to the welfare
and happiness OF their people.
No DENIAL OF these rights, that ! am aware OF.
has been made by any foreign government or
representative since the treaty OF Tientsin IN 1855
On the contrary. tney have been maintained In the
utmost good faith py the whole diplomatic corps at
Pekin.
but 2 faithful observance of existing treaties has
been insisted upon, and these treaties have provisions
regarding transit dues, mOnOpolies missionary prl-
vileges, &c, which involve changes IN the fiscal,
commercial and Social systems OF the empre.
Here, therefore, were irreconclable conditions
about which 1t was important there should be bet
There is no central authority here capable of OBJ
serving or II capable, willing to enforce Its Ooga-
tions. refe are no means OF checking abuses on
for lntercommunicauon or appeals to organized
courts OF justice az Ia other countries.
Between the two positions OF n0n-lnterference and
the execution or treaty rights lies the whole dlr
Guilty. 1t Is for the Western Powers to determIn e
how far they VIII insist upon the observance Of
treaties, rejecting of course as untenable the posi-
that these rights embrace Others necessarily
following or intended to De granted
The embassy To the West has been received in q
manner credltlbe TO the generous spirit OF the age
Whatever errors may be c0mmiuel through mis-
one which appeals to the highest sentiments OF
the CHRISTIAN world; and truth Will utt
mately be eliminated Ine stubborn logic Of
upon the movement, therefore, whatever Its design
may have been, as aboundng In promise for the
future. Bur 1t Is the 0hat acterlstc OF an enthusas
tc and progressive race 10. Oyerleap all obstacles
and seize upon he conclusions which they DESIRE
checks before the end really desired by the nations
OF the West Is attained. China neither her way
clear at present to an acceptance OF the ameliora
uoDs proposed nor mas she 30 far as facts warrant
US in believing, the slightest desire to substitute
foreign systems for those when have answered her
All that the rulers Of this empire desire be ert
Tree 10 work out their own destiny in their own
way, and that IL simply retrogression and nnal re-
lapse into barbarism. They make small concessions
to avert greater ones The whole struggle is against
making any at all. state this, not in che way Of
Depreciation but lncOntrOvertible TACT which
we are bound to cOnfronG 1t Is q subject for sym-
pathy rather than complaint, vast empire with an
industrious and inonensive population, IN many
respects worthy OF esteem, maintaining an unequal
struggle TO preserve Its ancient systems against the
combined Powers OF the world. We OF the West see
existence must give way IN the natural progression
OF events. Doubtless they too see that great
cnange beyond which all seems In their ignorance
dark and disastrous, is being forced upon them
but they cannot the justice OF if. Instead OF at
trlbuting to them either capacities or motives
irreconcilabe with their whole history and with
their present condition and limited int gonce, It
is our duty to enighten and to elevate them.
But 1t Is not by panderng TO their supersritOns
their weaknesses that this Is to be done. The
strong hand Of pressure may be more humane In the
end than empty iattery. No reliance can be more
uncertain than that based upon the forbearance or
magnanimity OF the treaty Powers. They may be
separated by diversity OF interests or by the accl-
dents Of war. The best friends OF China will un-
dOubteuly prove to be those who can induce her
to strengthen her organization and render herself
able and worthy to MAINTAIN an Independent POSI-
ton. There Is no security IN prOcrasttnatOn. Moth
ing upon earth, or III national or individual llfe
absolutely stationary Either retrOgressOn or al
vance Is inevitable. How far the one may be JustI
fable, II 1t be possible to avert It, or the other be
insisted upon essential to friendly intercourse and
the maintenance OF existing rights, remains TO be
determined by the dominant Powers.
II the citizens and subjects OF western nations
must be content to limit their fntercOnrse to the
treaty ports ana depend for protection upon i'm
practicable policy there Is no guarantee that the
Limitation will not have to be carried still farther.
All experience shows that aretrOgressivc movement
once commenced IN this country inevitably leads To
war. Neither the United states nor Great Britain
can desire this. Our present relations with China
are friendly, and peace and good understanding can
easily be maintained by policy at once equitable
and hrm. There Is no occasion for disturbance OF
these amicaDle relations; nothing but criminal dis
regard OF existing conditions can lead to war; and
the best way to avoid 1t Is to insist upon the execu-
ton OF our treaties.
And now, gentlemen, with many thanks for your
kindness and my best wishes for the success OF your
cause, am, very trut y,
Your friend and servant.
J. ROSS BROWNE.