The New York herald., 1869-08-29

OF the dificues to be encountered IN OBSERVING tns
distinction Nearly all our relations are commercial
and there Is scarcely q case mat comes up whicn
does not Involve, to some extent both the relations
between the governments ana those between each
government and its people.
The rights underlying the principle Of ex-terri-
toriaty are so far from being clearly defined or
even susceptible OF satisfactory definition that all
attempts at calculation must end In the admission
that they are incongruous aud irreconcilabe. and
that nothing short OF perfect equality can remedy
the dlfilculty. How then is this end, which all
mustdeslre, TO be attainedY
The essential provisions OF existing treaties have
been ext0rted from China by force, and doubtless
she considers them unjust The anomaly Is pre-
sented OF nations holding forcibe intercourse with
people against the Will OF the governing authorities
yet protesting TO respect their preudlces and abs
from all interference In the administration OF their
internal AFFAIRS IL s clearly an interference to force
the opening OF ports and wres from soverele stale
jurisdiction over its own soil; TO secure diplomatic
representation at Pekin At the cannons month,
and hold II there against the Will oi the govern
ment; TO establish a customs system and place
foreigner at the head OF It, with foreign subordi-
mates AT the ports; IN short to nct compulsory re-
lations upon nation the whole tendency OF winch
- 10 derange and Ultimately destroy Its most
cherished Institutions Mere words cannot check
the consequences OF such intercourse. To continue
IL Is simply 10 carry on with force IN the back
ground what was commenced with force IN 'front.': IL
CHINA had the power there can be no question that
she would restrict the intercourse of Foreigners TO
the seapOrts, II not eXpel every foreigner from the
country. Not being able TO do this sne attempts 10
evade, by the subteties OF diplomacy, what she can
not avert by force.
II the view have taken Re correct 1t would not
benefit China II we were 10 reiinqush all privileges
extorted from her and carry out the ComtlSt d0c-
trIne OF ideal justice. withdraw steam navigation
from YangtsZe and Peiffb, refuse eXterrtOria pro-
lection TO our citizens, forciby prevent our missions
aries from entering the country and preaching the
gospel, and resign all rights wnlch may connlcI WIN
pagan superstition and Aslatlc ignorance aud con-
ceit.
think therefore, our duty is plain. We should
DO the best that can be done under such anomalous
circumstances: treat CHINA with the forbearance
consideration and respect due TO power sovereign
IN ats political aspect but possessing an Or
fly. Believing our civilization to be supe-
rlor To theirs, we should endeavor to elevate
the Chinese TO our standard But, surely, that can
never be done by an unqualified acceptance OF their
claim TO the independence enjoyed by Christian
states They do not possess 1t In point OF fact, and
there is DO wisdom IN proceeding upon false premi-
ses. lfthey were independent, tney would cease TO
hold re ations which give them perpetual trouble,
and break down, one by one, the barriers OF lsola
tOn which have so long enabled them to maintain
their peculiar and degenerate form OF national cx-
istence Before tn ~ can hold position OF equality
in the community of civilized nations, they must
cease to cripple all intercourse they must throw
open the country: adopt the Improved systems OF
industry ana means OF communication urged upon
them by the western world; and thus, by co-opera-
ton, strengthen and elevate themselves an actual
equality. such an advance seems to me to be an
essential condition to friendly intercourse We have
no right TO compel them to construct railroads or
teegraphs or to extend steam navigation, open coal
mines, or accept any OF our modern Inventions Tor
saving time ana developing material resources; but
we have perfect right to compel them to observe
their treaty obligations and IT, in doing this all the
rest becomes necessary to their continued exist
ence as a nation and their elevation as people, tt
VIII be all the better for China. question whether
1t is good p0ilcy to proclaim, in the solemn form
OF treaty that we will not interfere in the inter-
nal affairs OF the empire, when our very presence
Is an interference; or whether anything s to be
gained by an unconditional admission of tho right
OF the Chinese government 10 determine the time
and manner OF introducing improvements. II the
central government can, without the introduction
OF modern Inventions, preserve Order enforce the
execution OF treaties, restrain the corrupt practices
OF Its provincial officers and render prompt redress
for all grievances, we cannot Justly complain II the
rulers should elect 10 retain their own systems In
preference TO ours bnt this being imposs bic reclp-
rociy in freedom OF trade residence and travel be.
comes an essential condition to amicable and mu-
fually advantageous relations. Abstract principles
of a pledge, without exacting any recip-
rocal conditions are unnecessary and un-
meaning. i not insulting There could be
principles, except, IN SO far as their embodiment
treaty might be considered an expression OF con-
tempt If emma would place herself in the same rea-
ton to us, that the nations OF Christendom hold
towards each other. but she has not done SO vet,
and what guarantee is there that she ever Will
What s there IN the history OF foreign intercourse
with her. or in her entire career for upwards of two
thousand years to indicate that she has the slightest
intention OF making any voluntary change in her
systemf The fact that, since the Imperial govern
ment received the first intelligence OF the
more determined than ever to resist all ex-
pertinent III the line Of progress, certainly
rves no announcement to the hope that
change Ia contemplated. China IL not
going either to be seduced by fair promises into
making concessions repugnant TO her established
policy, to make them OF her own accord. In tnat
respect she has been consistent from the beginning,
and SO, j DOUBT not, Will continue to the end. or
this we have no right to complain All contend is,
that having forced obligations nDOn her we must
compel her TO observe them, recede from the posi-
tion whicn we have undertaken TO MAINTAIN.
an ignorant pagan nation to do as 1t please, how.
ever retrogressive Its action may be, or Injurious
to the cause OF human progyess, TO be not
only impolitic. but absolutely toruicious in its
tendency. During the past year. since 1t has be-
come known that the governments OF the United
states and Great Britain have pledged themselves
unconditionally to this course greater number OF
outrages have been perpetrated upon foreigners
than during the previous eight years. Merchants
ry converts murdered in FOrmosa; a brutal attack
has been made upon an unonending missionary estab
lshmentat Yangchow, (which had not even attempted
TO preach the ''obectIonable' faith; an American
missionary has been stoned and grlevously wounded
at Wuchang; violent assaults have been made upon
converts at Kiukiang and near FoochOw; a Catholic
priest and many OF his proseiytes have been mur
dered In the province OF Szecnuen; the crew OF q
British gunboat, in the peaceful performance OF
their duty. and within the limits OF a treaty port
have been attacked, and other Outrages, not neces
sary TO enumerate have been perpetrated In various
In all these cases, 10 which my attention has been
called, ] have, as my dispatches VIII show, taken
the most liberal view that the facts would justify
believed II 10 be my duty, regard ess OF any per-
sonal opinions, TO carry out faithfully the policy Of
my government But 1 am satisfied now That this
policy Will not, without rigid eXactlon OF all the
rights granted by treaty and the presence OF
force to maintain tnem, produce the desired
results in China. 1t is simply pandermg
10 the biQotry and sefconcen OF the Chinese
rulers TO treat them, under all circumstances and
Without any reservation, as independent and nte-
gent beings. feel perfectly assured that redress
IN any OF the cases enumerated IN which satisfaction
has been obtained would have been granted, or If
granted carried into practical effect without the
presence OF force. Tne imperial authorities free
enough In promising redress because they know the
provincial officers are adroit enough 10 evade 1t, ana
have but little regard for truth.
IL does not devolve upon us, and we would be re-
cresnt 10 the teachings which have elevated us
above barbarsm n we undertook IL, 10 perpetuate
by blind submission 10 such outl ages, a political
fabric founded upon pagansm, however long IL may
have endured or however well II may have sub
served Its purposes
| What consider most Objectionable In the course
pursued by the subordinate officers or the British
government and sustained by own in the recen,
| which led 10 b0odsbed Is, that good an op-
portunity was lost OF demonstrating beyond ques-
! ton the utter insuficiency OF the policy declared
both by the government OF the United States and
| that OF Great Britain.
The danger to the foreign community was not i'm
minent, and the action OF the consular and nava
officers prevented what all experience had shown to
be MISUNDERSTANDING to obtain redress by diplo