The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-28

lightened liberality. The wonderful strides
of the Japanese in the arts Of Western civil
izntion have been closely watched by the
higher class Of Chinese officials, and much
commented on In Picking. The educated
gentlemen of China form a most infiuen-
tial class, in which are included all candi-
dates for Office. The influence of these
literati Is very considerable. Among the
people they do much TO mould public
opinion, performing some Of the func-
tons of the press with us. Great MS is
their influence, they cannot venture to
adopt measures strongly opposed to the
feelings and traditions of the masses.
Hence we accept the recent news from
Peking rs an evidence that the body of
the people themselves are MT present in
favor of more liberal policy and n freer
intercourse with foreigners.
IL NAV not be amiss here to inquire
what influence those Cinnamon, mostly
of the humblest class, who have OF late
years cmigrated to America, may have
exercised in the way of liberalizing the
views of their couutrymen Mt home. There
were in 1874 about fifty thousand Cinnamon
in the United States, principally in Califor-
mia. During the year 1874, China sent us
13,7G emiErants, Germany, Ireland and
England alone exceeding her i'm numbers;
and in 1876 we believe that the emigra-
ton from China was increased by somo
three or four thousand. The Chinese form
an important part of the laborlng class in
San Francisco; they are uniformly indus
trious, patient and law abiding. Those OF
the better class who have achieved posi-
ton among merchants, are noted for their
enterprise, integrity, sagacity, and success.
Some OF them control almost unlimited
credit. These people arc more or less in
communication with their relatives or
friends at home; and though they cannot
conscicutiously send very glowing nc
counts Of tho hospitalitics offered them by
the citizens of this republic, they no doubt
see, feel, and understand the great adj
vantages which must accrue to China 10y
the introduction of Western civilization
railroads, telegraphs, manufactures, steam
machinery, aud the likc-throughout the
Empire. Tint they have written, do
write, and viii continue to write OF these
things, there can be no doubt. Such writ
ings cannot have been barren of result
1t remains with us to promptly take adj
vantage Of any change in the policy of the
Chinese Government which Will enable us
20 extend our commercial relations In that
direction. FL ee and unrestricted access to
the empire of China-larger than Europe
itself in area, four or five times the size OF
India, and with double the population
would open TO foreigners n market exceed
ing in power of consumption the rest OF
the world.
1t is worth while, therefore, that the
merchants of America should give tho
concerns of China their most serious
attention. That England will do so, we
may rest assured; she never neglects her
interests Each Of the eighteen provinces of
China, with population varying from
ten to twenty millions, would furnish
her with new nation rs an outlet for
her manufactured goods, to say nothing
OF the increased trade in opium, which
now yields $50, OOO, 600 per aunum, and forms
from sixth to n seventh of the whole an
nual income of British India.