, 1872-12-01
DROWNING FEMALE BABTEa.

ince Of Hupeh, China, which sunmari]
squelched the squeezing Of tenants by IT.
} r1clons landlords, and encouraged the pro7axf
! ton Of very young Chinese children. We also
at that time, took occasion to commend tb
even-handed justice Of this worthy man, and t.
hold him up as bright and shining light t
dispensers Of Justice outside the Chinese Ecu
Another proclamation by this same uprigh
magistrate Of Hang-Yang, in the Province O
Hupeh, has como to hand, which still 1urthe
illustrates his clear ideas Of jratice, as we'll 81
his philanthropy, particularly with regart
to female children. Eis first proc1a
nation was intended to protect and en-.
courage children Of both sexes b.
preventing discrimination against them. Thu
second ia devoted to the interests Of female
children, and is fully as stringent as the first.
1t is also notable that he proceeds to work In
the same broad and catholic spirit. Before COM
ing to his conclusions, he lays down his premises
IN solid, comprehensive, and logical way, in
which not even Confucius himself could hare
found q flaw. Listen to Yon, the upright Judge
| HAE4CAo3 A45b3 LuEI6 HIo HIGH 40Q women
| then husbands and wives-resulting in fathers
and sons-and, as the want Of women would re-
suit in no men being born, etc., there is direct
| ness and conciseness, pith and point, q cres-
beyond all praise, and which We commend to all
concerned in executive proc1amations, and to all
others, such as Aldermen, County Commissioners,
and State Legislators, who bury their needles in
haystncks Of whereases and predatory bosh.
The above words are al that Yen,
the Prefect OF Hang-Yang. in the Province Of
Hupeh, employs in reaching his conclusion,
which follows thus "NoW it is reported that
an abominable custom exists in many families
in this prefecture Of drowning female children
when born, and this is especially bad in Huang-
Pi." Before he pronounces condemnation Yen
moralizcs as little: "Even the de1ce tiger does
not devour his offspring how much less should
mon7 Passers-by have pity On any one fallen
into we'll how much more SO should man do
go for his child" Having now established the
fact that women are essential to population, and
that even the brute beast has compassion upon
his young, swiftly IS Luoifer descended from
Heaven, the upright Yen descends upon the in
fanticiders Of Huang-Pi, Us ho before descended
upon the squeezing landlords Of Hang Yang.
Tho condemnation is a climax Of ju-
dicial authority. It urges tho duty
Of religion. It appeals to the in
nato Rympathies Of human nature. It exho1ts
IN r1nra1 taooh
and then defines the punishment. Listen to
the worthy magistrate Of Hang Yang in the
Province of Hupeh:
Wherefore, all ye Inhabitants Of this p1ace are to
know that whether tho children to be born are to bo
Sons or daughters rests with the decree Of Heaven
and how then my Of you havo it in your heart to
Kill what yon hare yourself begotten? This wicked
ness must henceforh be speedily changed nor must
females be any more drowaed. If any wives or women
nre ignorant OF this the elders husbands should e1
hort them, and tell them to bring up their children to
completeness Of their manhood and their heavenly na-
ture ANY one during to go back to their old paths
will If discovered, be arrested and punished even as
for the cEimo OF numbering sons Of grandsons.
Yen has way Of indorsing his proclamations t
which not only gives them IN enacting clause,
but q manner Of enforcement which is complete |
~ "~S~4A" =" ~ HAt~AAs +A1C stpGAl4A
which is identical with that Of tho
landlord proclamation, that no tricks Of lawyers,
no changes Of venue, no errors in the court
below no Erits Of supersedeas will be Of avail to
the wretch who browns the female child. Yen
is the first and last source Of appeal Els decree
is ultimate. He is the fountain-head of Justice.
and with him alone rests the issues OF Life and !
death. There is no hi cher Yen to decide that
the lover Yen is incorrect in his Judgments.
There is no Yen in the neishboring pro7inceto
10 the work which belongs to tho upright Yen Of !
Hang Yang. There is no State Executive
to pardon the wretch whom Yen pronou1-
,es guilty. His ifo isn't worth copper
Chinese cash after Yen passes upon it, and !
he culprit cannot complain that be has not
been notified Of the consequences Of his crime.
Listen to Yen: ' No mercy will be shown. Let
Ill II embling1y obey. Do not disobey."' Every
7ord strikes like s1edge hammer and has the
orco Of nitro-glycerino. Happy Chinese!
Thrice happy Celestia1s! EcEtatio Oriental
oma1a babies, thus rescued from rntimcly
raves in the rolling Hoang-Ho and the turbu-
ont Yangtze-Kiang! No longer will the Hoang-
10 merit its old-time appollation Of ss China's
;orrow." There will be sound OF rejoicing
ndor the tallow trees Of Kwei- Chow and among
he banyans OF Keang-Se. The Chinese woman is
citing rights atlast,-th rightto1i7e to enjoy
er sharks fms and puppy-dog soup, side BY side
18th the pig-tailed tyrant, 1lan, to shorten her
eet and lengthen her fnger-nails, "to salute
10, age and ascend to the sky" in |
aort trousers and tho finest Lianchan
ofin, with fre-crackers enough to stock an
1nerican Fourth Of July, popping and fixing
bout her, at e ripo old age, instead Of floating
Own the Choo-Keang, to feed sharks, stur- t
cons, and cormorants, before her dininutiye
[mond eyes have had ''aquare " 1ook at tie
Iulborriss and bamhooa in tho back sa1acn.