The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-19
THE WHITE LILY REVOLT.
4 y.r.,.r,av Rebel vim Died Rather than
Eass Bowl or mesl-The Firth kins Of Hell
"a Osher Devoted Rebels Beheaded.
HING Kong letter sars :


n h not generally known in the West
that the Celestial Empire has widespread
secret society Of vegetarian reformers.
whose organization is very similar to that
Of the Russian Nihilists or the secret party
whose movements are now threatening the
peace Of Spain. The Chinese sect OF the
white Lily IL also deadly in Its exactions
Of its members and In It's purposes toward
the present dynasty. This fraternity-
which has chosen for Its symbol the white
lotus, the sacred flower 81 China-s OF
comparatively recent date. 1t Is one OF
the many sects 10 which the invasion OF the
Manchus gave rise. II took dennite shape
during the reign OF the Emperor Cncm
Lung, and its prime object was and stlii
continues to be the overthrow OF the Ia
Using dynasty. In the reign OF Cha
ching It assumed for the first time very
formidable proportions. The members
bound themselves by oaths TO secrecy, oDe-
dicnce. entire self-surrender. and undying
hostility TO the Manchus. A man who had
once cast in his lot with the society had no
chance OF escape, for the punishment in'
nicted BY the chiefs Of the confederacy in
any case Of treachery was far more horri,
BILE than any that a faithful member would
az the Government. The confederates
were strict vegetarians, having placed
themselves under vow to eat no meat
while the usurping Manchu sal on the
throne OF the Mings, and they contributed
largely to the treasury OF the Head Centre,
so that in q comparatively short time the
society found itself in the possession OF
enormous wealth.
THE FIRST OUTBREAK OF THE SECT.
The first serious outbreak Of the confed-
Grafton took place in the reign OF the nth
Emperor of the present dynasty. AT that
time ifs Headquarters were at Marking, ana
the operations OF the conspiracy were Oh
rected by a man named Fang Jung-shen'
the Head Centre, and his wife. This was
a woman known as Ma-rh. and celebrated
"a being the most pbysically-powerfui ie-
male of her time. The object OF the plot
was nothing less than the blowing up OF
the Imperial palace in Peking. IL was
the great gunpowder plot OF emma anu
there seems no doubt that 1t would nave
been successful had not all the pans
of the conspirators been frustrated ~ Tue
last moment by a sudden and most 'loier'
storm OF wind and rain-a prodlgy winch
was regarded as special lnterposi,Ioh vi
Heaven on behalf OF the reigning Eihpe,
ror. Nothing short OF such an unexpected
phenomenon could have saved the paiaee'
for the conspiracy was planned with per-
lection that was admirable. But even
then the desperadoes did not give way.
Although the alarm was given and
soldiery called out, they fought like
tigers. aud a crusade was organized
all over the empire to put down the
conspiracy. The Viceroy OF Marking COW
ed himself with glory by capturing the
Head Centre; and ii is remarkable fact
that this mans life was freely offered him
on the condition that he would eat bowl
of meal. Rather than break his VOW Fang
stubbornly refused, and paid the forfeit
with his life; ard twas wellfor his honor
that he did, for there were others who sue
cumbed to the temptation, and these on
being liberated met with shocking and
cruel death at the hands OF the society.
THE vEGETARIANs CUTTING CUES.
The last occasion on which the Pal Lien
Chiao rendered itself conspicuous was
shortly after the murder OF Mr.. Margary
of Yunnan. Then war between England
and China was trembling in the balance,
and excitement prevailed everywhere
throughout the eighteen provinces. The
brethren Of the lotus-tlOwer were not slow
to take advantage OF their opportunity, and
then was organized that strange appeal to
the superstitious terrors OF their country
men which took the form OF tail-cutting.
The fact that myriads OF Chinese suddenly
found themselves bereft Of their cherished
cues is undeniable, and amid the panic
to which the ineXplicable phenomenon
gave rise there no doubt mingled in their
minds suspicion OF what was intended by
it-that II was meant ~ an intimatiOn that
the time was approaching when the Chi
nese would no longer be called upon to
wear their badge OF servitude. But war
was ayerted, trade resumed its wonted
tenor. life flowed smoothly on again, and
the opportunity passed away. Nothing
was heard OF the white HORSEPOWER for
seven years. At present. when there is
danger OF hostilities between China and
France, there is a most menacing outbreak
Of this same society at Wu-chang.
THE PRESENT UPRISING.
On the evening OF the 18th OF May a
number OF the White.Lily sect entered the
town, pretending TO he students who had
come to attend the examinations. They
rented house ut the back Uf the prison,
and posted note outside to the effect that
IL was the public residence OF an assem-
blage OF virtuous persons. In the front
house a couple named Wang had opened
a bean-cured shop. Their son, whose name
was Sheng. was in the service OF small
mandarin, and had for a long time been
member Of the sect. When the
conspirators came to hide in the city
he acted as their guide and helped
them generally. 1t had been arranged
that an outbreak should take place on the
18th, ut the fourth watch of the night
when the prison was TO be set on fire rs
signal for the operations TO commence. A
man named Chu, who was formerly in
garrison and had received lieutenant
commission ~ reward OF merit. recent,
opered small cotton shop near the Wang
shan Men, and this man had daily dealing
with purchasers OF cotton cloth. Anon:
them was member Of the White Lily sect
and he attempted to inveigle Chu int
entering the confederacy. Chu pretende'
to comply, and accordingly he wa
presented with one Of the caps used by IN
confederates-a head-dress resembiin
those worn by servants and retainer
during the Ming dynasty. Besides this
received written tailsman OF the Gimp,
rial Order" Chu, In possession OF thes
credentials, furtively went out OF his sho
one night ut watch-setting and laid secret in
formation against the society before IN
commandant Of the garrison. This off
Ger Immediately communicated the affair {
the Viceroy, tn Tsung- Wing, who ordere
out soldiers to arrest the confederate,
These were bounced upon unawares, an
having no time TO form plans of resstanc
OF escape made for the city walls in gre:
disorder.
THE WHITE LILY PLUcKED.
The soldiers succeeded in arresting owe
forty OF the conspirators. But many g,
capped. The prisoners were taken to III
Che-fus yamen and subjected te intens
torture. under the pressure OF which the