Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-11-18

SornG PecuIIarities and Super
stitions.
How tie Laws Of tho Oelestials are en-
forced n America.

ucatei Chinaman 70 Newark II. }.
Ne1os reporter. (which have never
been sold, for the reason that China
men are not communicative, and re-
veal very little unless they deem it to
their pecuniary advantage to let GER
tain matters be known. This applies,
however, only to those who are still
loyal TO their country, and those who
still hold to their old religion. and who
expecs some day to 60 back to China
Tie majority OF the Cinnamon
have 9 hatred against people of other
religions. the result OF race OF religious
superstitions. The chief cause is the
fact that one of their most potent SUI
perstitions, which to them is a fixed
BELIEF, Is that intercourse other than in
business way with strangers, which
is prohibited by their religion, will
cause disaster and death unless sane
toned by Joss, and then only to adj
vancea purposes of their own. The
salctisn of certain Of their country
men is also needed, else the disaster
will Likewise extend to the friends of
the m&n who engages in it.
''Thss superstition more than any
thing Else gives rise to the clannish-
ness og the people. It forms them
into Sind of brotherhood, the object
of which is to watch each other land
those Who are suspected of being lake
warm. The moral power OF this affili-
alton cannot be measured by those who
are notparties to it. It gives rise to COM
tentious jealousy and hatred. It is
the means through which petty spite is
satisfied and malicious designs carried
into effect. No code of laws or any
government could so thoroughly sub
ject race as this one foolish supersti-
ton. For the carrying out of the I'M
written laws OF the brotherhood, self
constituted judges-those who by
riches pr intelligence have more influ-
ence than their brethren-act as arbi-
traitors A quiet meeting in some
quiet Laundry, which to outsiders may
appear TO be a friendly gathering for
the ericyment Of their pipes, may in
reality be a cabal called for the pur-
pose of considering the case of some
offending member of the community.
Their punishment, in my knowledge,
never extends to death in this country,
although there have been rumors of
such acts having been done on the Pa
cific coast. Expulsion is the limit and
fining the usual method of punish
ing the law breakers.
"Too frequently the man who as
sumes the Office Of justice is an UNI
principaed. dishonest person, who,
with the natural avariciousness Of the
race. gouges all the money out Of his
victims he can, for he gets a certain
percentage Of it himself. The balance of
the money is applied to charitable
purposes, sometimes being exchanged
for COLA and silver and made into gods.
which sare always more effective in
keeping away the Chinese evil spirits.
IL they are costly.
''As for minor pecuIiarities and
habits the Cinnamon have q great
many. Some of them, such as the
sprinklsng of colOred paper behind
and in Ehe track bearing a corpse to
frighte5l away the devils. are well
known: but few people are aware that
before sstiring at night good Celes-
tial always burns paper in each Of his
several aoorways.
1T Is believed that just previous TO
the establishment Of the present Chi
nese dynasty ! star of potent death
dealing influence was placed in the
sky by Sue progshitors Of the race. who
we're dissatisfied with che Chinese Gus
tom Of extending hospitality. which.
led 70 their overthrow b. the Tartars.
r. the Starlight should shine into their
doors OF upon their floors ten nights
il succession. it would cause the death
Dc III who inhabik the hounn pnd