New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-21
EASTERN CIVILIZATION,

| EASTERN CIVILIZATION.
From west to east the civilization OF
the nations is slowly, but surely advanc-
ing, through tie peaceful means which
has made the peoples of western Europe,
and of this country great and powerful.
Since the opening of Japan to the civil
izing influences of the western world,
that country has become thoroughly re-
volutionized in its government, laws, and
foreign and domestic policy, through which
it now commands the respect and admira-
ton Of the other civilized nations of the
earth. From being despised and con-
temned for their barbarism and isolation,
that people under the administration of a
wise ruler is progressing in the works
that indicate the de sire on their part to
become the equal of other enlightened
nationalities. Its liberal foreign policy
has brought with it, be neits far exceed
ing the expectations of the Mikado or his
people, and as to the results of the civil
ization Of Japan beyond what has already
been obtained, we may believe it will be all
that the most ardent political economist
might desire.
In addition to Japan, we now find that
China, hoary with the years of its national
existence and shrouded in its mantle of
bafbarism, inviting and accepting those
means which will have a tendency to
break the shackles that have SO long kept
the people in ignorance, and prevented
their free intercourse with the people of
other nations. Recent intelligence i'm
parts tous the fact that the government of
this country, under the pressure Of
political necessity for rapid communica-
ton, has sanctioned al enterprise for the
erection Of telegraphic line between the
capital of Token and Annoy, on the coas-
opposite Formosa. Under an equally i'm
perious demand for coal to feed their war
steamers and transports, Li-Hung Chang,
the Viceroy Of Pechihli, has obtained the
imperial sanction to work the coal mines
near place called Rung Ching, in the
southwest of that province, with foreign
machinery. Already an order has been
dispatched to England for the purchase
of the necessary machinery and the engage
ment Of engineers and skilled miners. No
more important move in all it's conse-
quences has ever been made by the Chinese
all the more significant and important
that this movement has been spontaneous,
and dictated solely by their own interests.
Only in this way, and under such condi-
tons, can any signal advance be made
at their own time, in their own way and
,or some essentially Chinese object, quite
Independent of any effort or assistance on
the part of foreign States or foreign mer-
chants. 1t has been urged, in respect to
the Chinese especially, that whenever the
proper time should come for the opening
of China to foreign intercourse, the initia-
tive would be taken by some energetic
viceroy, who would secure the acquiescence
OF the Peking government. Such has
been the history Of the present revolution
in policy of intercourse, which has
so long been obstinately maintained by
the imperial authorities. How much is |
involved in these first steps is probably |
not appreciated by the Emperor and his |
ministers. But with Geographic line in |
one province, and coal mines worked by |
foreign engineers and machinery in an
other, it is impossible that railroads
should not follow. China will then
find herself compelled to move on
at an accelerated rate, by law
far more irresistible than any force
which could be applied from without by
foreign powers. The obstacles hitherto
opposed by Fung Shung will disappear as
and as completely as they have
done now at the word of command, not
only as it regards telegraphs, railroads,
and mines, but in every other direction
which progress may take. China enters
into new phase from this time, and
these departures from a traditional policy
dating backward thousand years, will
form an epoch in the history of the
Celestial empire. Its foreign relations
will, of necessity, be modified by in
creasing demands for European and
American agencies in the interior to work
their mechanical appliances, and to assist
in the development Of the mineral re-
sources of the country, while there will be
IN increasing disposition on both sides
TO accept such notifications of the ex-
territorial clause in treaties as may re-
move one of the greatest obstacles to the
feeaccess Of foreigners to the interior and
he right Of residence for industrial and