The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-12-06
Chinese Progress.
To The Editor of The China Mail
Hongkope. August 18th. 1878.

10 Inc Eatf0T ~ me ChtHd Mani
Hongkong, August 18th, 1873.
Sir,-That China will eventually come square
Iy into the family Of nations on terms approach
ing equality in all the essentials of civilization
and progress, she gives unmistakable evidence
at the present time by sending Ministers and
CousuIs to foreign countries. quite a new thing
in Chinese history. Ii would be too much to ex-
pect q Government and a people that have for so
many centuries and thousands upon thousands of
years continued in existence and IN power-a
power 90 much superior to all their neighboring
nations, and who have grown into a belief that
their ways are the only true ways for nations and
people-too much to expect such a people and
Government suddenly to give up all their pre-
yiousIv formed opinions, habits and modes of
life and thought, and adops those Of other nations,
however superior the latter might be- Japan
has, to some extent, done this; but 1t is an
anomaly 10 the history Of nations and may be
considered almost a violation Of nature. But al
though the two peoples are somewhat similar as
to race there are great differences IN the charac-
ter and circumstances Of the two.
The japanese, who had been shut up for some
hundreds OF years from almost all intercourse
with the outside world, and held in subsection to
to he Tycoon and religious Emperor, and all the
demoraliziDg and debssing influences Of a selfish
priesthood, when released from such enforced isO-
htion and priestIy influence, like the bow too
severely bent, seem 90 have sprung almost 10 the
other extreme, and have taken to the ways OF
civilization with q facility truly wonderful
They apparently perceive the nonsense Of their
former national priesthood Ia thorn in the way
Of progress like the Chinese Literally and how
their religious observances, which were enforced
solely for the purpose Of eDslaving the minds OF
the people and holding them in fear OF the
heather priesthood. and, apparently. have broken
loose from their former mental and spiritual
bondage, and have resolved to see, hear, think,
and act for them selves. Instead Of remaining
worshirpers of Dalibutz they have cheerfully ac-
cepted the benefit Of the innovation Of modern
times, steamers, railroads and telegraphs-
Bot the Chinese do not give up 30 readily to
changed circumstances. While a japanese on
going to an American and European port, as
readily assumes a European or American dress
as il be were a native, apparently desiring to es-
cape attrneting attention, the Chinese cling to all
their old habits, their blue blouses and big
trousers, shaved head and long queues, and clump
around in their wooden shoes, as IT deslrous OF
being noticed as Chinamen the old belief that
China isfhe frst country of the earth, and that
It's people are the wisest, most learned and re-
spectacle, is not yet eradicated. But the change
IL occurring more surely and rapidly with the
Government n higher cl.sses than perhaps
they themselves are aware Il. The indications
of this are shown perhaps more forcibly IN the
movement towards having so many OF their boys
and Young men educated IN the academies and
Colleges Of the United States and Europe than IN
ANYTHING else.
Cbina has already entered into the family OF
nations irmany new appliances Of civilized ma
r;ona and civilized life. She has exchanged
omewhat her old sea system Of junks for more
modern styles Of shipping. Instead OF them she
owns and runs steamers Of her own Her war
innks she sees, will not answer the demands OF
yhe CsnFnTv , She has built and equipped men
oEwar on the European plan-the American
system. She will not depend hereafter upon the
noise and cIatter her soldiers can make to &C,
hieye victories but upon Krupp guns and drilled
service. Her ports win be defended IN GOO
time BY forti6catious planned and eonstructeu Dy