South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-11-03
a Strange DelusiOn.

Placards have suddenly appeared IL
the most important localities in Canton
province of China, charging foreigners
with having concocted dlabolical medi.
cine, which causes the bowels and the
feet OF the victim to swell up within
some tw enty-fve days after it is taken,
unless the patient viii consent to enter
the Roman Catholic church.
The medicine is said to be circulated
in all quarters at foreign expense,
through the agency of Buddhist nuns.
old women and various sorts of hawkers
and peddlers. Persons are induced TO
partake by the representation that a
pestilence is impending, from which
immunity can be secured only by dose
fthe powder. If, when the swelling
begins, they refuse to become Catholic
they die, and report has it that some
twenty Thousand persons have already
perished.
OF course the excitement caused among
an ignorant and superstitious people by
such story is by no means trihing. As
consequence trouble and bloodshot
have followed A poor -Chinaman was
killed in the streets of Canton, BY an
excited mob on suspicion of dealing in
this powder. A woman was killed in
the Yamun. and man was executed by
the Viceroy on the same ground. Sharp
dispatches by the consuls have been
followed by proclamations by the Vicerov
and Provincial Judge. The latter order
the people to maintain order, under the
severest penalties, but at the same time
they assume the correctness of the report
that such a powder is in circulation.
As reward is offered for any one en-
gagged In its distribution, and as the
official retrospects of the matter do not
affirm the falsity Of the charges regard
ing foreigners, the impression remains
on the minds of the people that they
are actually guilty. 1t is, therefore.
clearly matter of question whether the
harm does not surpass the good.
The origin ands design of these pla-
cards demand the gravest inquiry. To
pass them over as mere ebulhtions of
Ignorance. which cease to do evil after
lull supervenes, is to practise political
qnackery, of which We may some day be |
the victims. First of all, be it observed, |
these placards are a common agency of |
stirring up a popular commotion, and |
placards against foreigners have been |
known ever since the old Kong DAYS of
Canton. What distinguishes the present
movement is the extent of territory over
which it prevails, and the homogeneity
of pain Indicates extraordinary facilities /
for attaining a common understanding
and concert of action
Two theories are advanced to explain
the movement. By some it is regarded
as part OF plan to overthrow the Tartar
dynasty, by embroiling them with for
elgners. And it is by no means an i'll
chosen agency for that purpose, as 1
shall point out hereafter. By others it
Is looked upon as most ingenious de-
vlcs OF the mandarins to implant deep
er dislike of the foreigner in the minds
OF the common people, and there is an
abundance of testimony in favor of this
opinion. The manipulations of Chinese
state-craft have special end to accom-
plish at the present time. The treaties
are to be revised, and the inland resi-
dence question is to be discussed The
Chinese are bent on refusing that de-
mand. The Earl of Clarendon, moved
by the representations of Mr.. Burlin-
game, gave various classes of foreigners a
rebuke for not paying more Difference to
the wishes and preiudices of the people.
The Chinese had these papers translated
and took the hint. and the mandarins are
now manufacturing a public opinion
bitterly hostile to the residence of fer
eigners inland.
No less than four German missionaries
living in inland towns have been driven
back to Canton or Hong Kong, while
their houses have been looted and de- ]
stroyed. Since the British Cabinet has {
ordered that the prejudices OF the Chi {
nese should be respected land which is I
all right enough in itself, the Chinese (
have resolved that there shall be an in
creased multitude of prejudices to be re- !
spected. You viii hear, of course, that !
the ostentatious vermilion-tippedp procla- !
are postel after the placards,
and the placards will be pulled down, !
and you will be told to infer that all is /
moving on as before. The inference will
by no means be just. The mischief in s
tended will be fully accomplished. A /
condition of public sentiment will be
which may lie passive and
dormant enough when not needed, but
which can be utilized hereafter if deem !
ed, desirable by the crafty mandarins. +
Let not the public be deceived by any
syren-song of mandarin desire for closer /
with the West. We are drift !
ing in the direction of war rather than !
OF peace.-CI Chinese c0TTssp0n lent. {