New-York tribune., 1879-03-01
all else since the war with France is a com
prehcnsive domestic policy OF some kind.
EDbCATJNG THE CHINESE.

EDUCATING TIE CHINESE.
About thirty years ago three strange looking
dusky boys mingled as students with the
Americau-bOrn youths at the preparatory
school in Munson, Mass. They wore long
hair twisted into pigtails, oddly shaped shoes,
coats thar looked like an article of feminine
apparel, spoke very little English, chartered
with amusing volublity to each other and looked
ont into a strange world with intense and
manifest curiosity through their almond
shapcd eyes. For years they were the jest OF
the school They lived by themselves In
house quite distant from the school building,
usually came and went together, and made no
effort TO force their cOmnanionship upon any
one. but were known from the first az slnSul1rly
attentive and Jealous students. Strange stories
went about as to their mode Of living, their
diet and their habits and it is not too much
TO say that species of superstitious horror
surrounded them in the minds OF many ol
the villagers. This wore off In due time,
when it was found that the three Chinese
bows were not only holding their own re-
markaby well in competition as students
with lads Of American training, but were in
deed surpassrg most Of them. They LETT the
urcparatory school with many warm friends,
with honorable records, and with the very
hearty good wishes of the American mission
ares at whose instance they had been brought
70 this country for education.
One went to Yale College, one 20 Harvard,
and one to Edinburgh University, Scotland.
Each IN his place became favortc IN his
class and a scholar Of unusual merit. All
Shun graduated with high honor at Edn-
bur-h, and with special honor for excellence in
English composition. Al Fun graduated
with high honor at Harvard, and with
,pecIal honor for excellence IN English com
position Yung Wing graduated at Yale with
hi.h honor, and with, we believe, the highest
honor in ms class for English composition.
His history Is somewhat familiar. To
him. In some degree. it is probable that
the Buriugamc Treaty was due. Re-
turning to China after graduation, and
having the acquaintance of Minister Bar
ln.ame, YuLg Wing, 6y reason of his rank
in the Chinese Empire, was useful III bringing
about cordial Intercourse between the American
Minister and the Chinese officials OF high rank.
Il mad been TOR years the dream OF ms HE to
do something toward opening China to the
United states and the Western civilization.
How we'll ne has succeeded, those best know
Who are acquainted with the work ol the
College for the cducauon Of Chinese young
men. now established at Hartford, Conn, and
under the charge Of Yunc Wing, as the rep
rescntatIve Of the Chinese Government IN
thai work.
II has been said by President Woolecy that
they who 20 back to China from thi- country
with thorough education IN the American
language, institutions and sciences, take
with them something of iucalcula5le power.
But the comparatively few who return
fortified with high education, proba-
bly, have but little influence, In the aGgre-
cate. compared with the thousands OF
lower grade who come to this country a,
laborcr-, remain for a term of years acquiring
familiarity with American institutions and
methods by personal experience. and then re-
mrn TO China with their earnings. OF these
not a few, but probably the majority,
are persons Of the middle class m
China, and it Is not possible to believe
that after rctumin. they do not exercise a
great influence in forming the opinion OF those
with whom they there associate, il re- pcct to
the character and merits of Our Western civil
zatOn.
1t Is something for those to consider whu
are dcvotng means and noble efforts, and
life itself, to the extension Of Christian in
Aucnces throughout the world, whether it is
well by an act of bad faith on the part OF
the United States to arrest so potent an IN
hucncc in the education and Christianization
| of the Chinese race.