The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-24
HON ANSoY BURLINGAME.

Hon. Anson Burlingame, when so near the
satisfactory completion of the great and noble
work in which he was engaged, viii cause
profound sorrow, not only in the country of
which he was citizen, and among the circle
of political and personal friends who knew
him most intimately and admired his worth
most sincerely, but in the ancient empire
which he represented with 30 much statesman
like ability, and among all civilized nations
who are able to appreciate the extent and inn
portanoe of the great mission of which
he was the honored leader. We
yesterday, in announcing the death
of MIR. Burlingame, gave very
complete sketch of his career, but something
more than this is necessary in the case of
such man, and it is proper that we should
add our testimony to his high qualities as a
man and statesman, and briefly speak of
his claims upon the regards of those who
wish to see the old barriers of wrong and in
justice broken down, and all the nations of
the earth united in common brotherhood,
the principles of which shall be equal and
impartial justice.
MIR. Burlingame was a representative Ame-
rican citizen, and it is safe to say that none
but an American ever would have been
selected by the jealous and exclusive Gov
ernment of China to represent it before the
nations of the West. AS an American politi-
can MIR. Burlingame easily maintained
himself in the front rank, but even in the
excitement of political career that promised
as its highest reward such an Office as the
Presidency, he did not find that stimulant to
lI.oN n1 hn6 6ncir
to grasp the highest honors of the State. 1t
was not until he found himself the represen-
tative of republican America at the court of
the oldest empire in existence that all the
resources of his mind and talents were called
into play, and he exhibited qualities that
astonished even his warmest admirers. As
the United States Minister at Pekin, Mr..
Burlingame displayed the characteristic
American talent of adapting himself to cir
cumstances, and he speedily became leader
among the diplomatists who represented the
interests of Western civilization among the
Chinese Mr.. Burlingame succeeded in doing
what no European diplomatist had ever done
he gained the confidence and respect of the
Chinese authorities. The secret of his suo-
cess in this important particular consisted in
the fact that in his intercourse with the Impe-
rial Government he acted upon the broad
principles of humanity AMI impartial justice
that are at the foundation of American repub-
licanism. He considered that he could best
subserve the interests of his own constituents
by showing an honest and manly desire to
promote those of the strange people to whom
he was accredited. He declined to look upon
IL
mate objects for plunder simply because
their civilization was different from his own,
and he was the first statesman that had ever
appeared in China as the representative of a
Western power who showed cordial appre-
citation of the real value and Importance of
that civilization.
The Chinese authorities, who had invariably
been represented as cunning, treacherous, and
jealous to the last degree of foreigners of
every class, were quick to appreciate these
qualities in Mr.. Burlingame, and they showed
their own good judgment by deciding
promptly that this American Minister, who
while advocating the interests of his own
Government was not forgetful of the Just
rights of that to which he was accredited,
must be the best person to represent the in
terests of China abroad, and to secure for her
that consideration to which she was entitled
at the hands of the nations of Europe and
America. They knew that Mr.. Burlingame
would succeed in such mission where
Chinese Ambassadors would fail or allow
themselves to be circumvented, and they did
themselves honor by inviting him to accept
the position of chief of an embassy that
would endeavor to secure for China an admis
sion into the great family of nations
The sending out of this embassy was in al
respects remarkable occurrence, and the
selection of an American citizen as its CHIEF
was a compliment of the highest class, mo-
only to Mr. Burlingame, but to the natior
which he then represented at the court o.
Pekin 1t was so entirely unprecedented
and SO entirely in opposition to all the ira
ditions of Chinese policy, that the world wa
astonished, and it was difficult to believ
that the news was true. How well Mr.. Bur
lingame fulfilled the great trust confded il
, him every one knows. The embassy wa
received with the utmost cordiality in tn
United States, and obtained here fair op
f portunity to lay before the world its prospect
, and desires. In Europe Mr.. Burlingam
| speedily succeeded in conquering the jealous
4 that existed against him both as Chimes
\ Ambassador and al American citizen, and
t concluded satisfactory treaties with ever
f power visited, and when death cut shor
o his labors he was just about t
: finish his great work by maxim