Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-07-04
On Chinese Slavery, its Causes and
Horrors.
The Tyranny of Patriarchism in China,
and what It's Real Meaning is.
Revelations Of Horrible System
Its Relation 10 the Chinese
Question in America.
The Views OF an Intelligent Ameri-
can Several Years Resident in
China Startling Statements.


capacity for the United States Government
in China. lie is a gentleman of scholarly
auainments and cultivated powers of OBJ
servation. and has made the Chinese ques-
tion-so called-a study. 4 few days ago
a representative Of the RECORD UNION,
while engaged in conversation with Dr..
Latham, introduced the subject Of Chinese
slavery incidentally, and it resulted in
questions and answers which impressed
those who heard them greatly. Notes were
subsequently made of the main points dis
Cclssed. BY consent of Dr. Latham, these
notes. somewhat elaborated, are herewith
presented, giving the conversation however
quite as it took place and when, originally
Of course, no idea of its publication was
considered. It has been deemed best TO
give the information derived in this form
rather than to present the matter in the
more formal and logical character of an
essay. which it is the intention to request
of the observer with a view to elaboration
and the treatment Of cOgnate topics and
other forms of Chinese slavery as well as
of Chinese conservatism. The matter
given below throws additional light upon
Che Chinese question. and adds new testi-
mony to the debated issue, whether or not
any form of slavery exists in China, and
among the Chinese in America 1t will
we believe, lead public thought in new
direction, and correct much public Inisap-
prchcnsiOn upon q topic of such special
interest TO the people Of this country. The
observations Of practical observer, in re-
ctai. often carry greater weight and adj
dress the reason more directly than the
most iabored treatise or elaborate essay:
Question-Dr. Latham, you resided some
years in China, believe?
An5wer-I resided in China almost three
yeaIs-over two and half years.
Q.-Wh hat position did you fill
Al was Vice Consul-Ge neral TO China
for the United States at Shanghai.
Odd You travel in Gilman
A.-Yes, | visited cities from Canton 20
Pekin.
Odd you make a study Of the coun-
try. the people and the laws Of China?
Al did. | took deep interest in such
studies. | wrote the report made to the
State Department in 1880 on slavery in
China, which was transmitted by special
message TO the House of Representatives
1t was the first connected report ever made
by q foreigner on Chinese slavery.
IS THERE SLAVERY?
Q-Ithas been asserted and again denied
that any form Of slavery exists in China.
At exists in every portion Of China
On what form absolute servitude?
A.-Absoiute and conditional
Q.-Cun YOU exempGfy it1
An China the fundamental principle
underlying all society is the patriafchial
organization Of families. Il Is such as was
known in Europe under the Romans prior
30 JusJinian Il was defined BY Gibbon as
" the exclusive, absolute and perpetual do
min;Ou Of the father over his children
Q.-N hat is it in China
a-The type and sum Ofall tyranny and
despatism ever endured by man. Under
it. the gqiafumjlih5 unites in his person
the kinsly, priestly, military and Judicial
p0wyr-jhe SUM of all power. This Chi
ue9e patriarchism is pure and absolute.
There has been nothing analogous to it in
Europe since the fifth century. Even prior
20 ,but in Europe paTiarchisn did not
confer such absolute power as 1t does to-
dav IN China. In Rome, prior to that time,
2et,r riding 10 GibbOn, the adult son enjoyed
in the forum, in the Senate and in the
camp the public and private rights of
person fl was only in his fathers house
thai he was a mere thing
Q.-HoW about the Chinese adult?
A-Even at this late day he has no legal
rights outside of the family.
at ~ Hi si-5t' s-Nt'a IL tt'i IA tiltatN
EVERLASTING BONDAGE.
A.-Neyer. It is an everlasting bondage
The oldest son takes the place Of the father
on his death. But The Roman son when
Sold did not in every respect become q
slave. He was stem i,bsr-subiect to re-
dcH5pti0n. The Chinese son and daughter
can be sold into perpetual and irCemedi-
2-H"w IS this accomplished?
A-Chinese society embraces the iEti-
y.5u9l families under the control OF the
r7'eaamiiiG<. These, aggregated, may be
ca. ed the Gems or clans presided over by
councils of elders. In the management Of
the ordinary affairs Of the family. the p0ter-
fuailioS has absolute power over all It's
members The affairs Of the families, as
they relate TO each other. come under The
control Of the council Of elders.
TIE PART OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Von Mulendorf IS the highest authority
upon Chinese family law. He says las was
lie rule according to The Roman law OF
The time before Justinian, all persons
in nina stand under patrir poteStGs, which,
in China IS the same IS the d0Rsas PC4lst9S,
the power Of the master over his slaves, of
the ancient Roman, law. The pHtri1 potesfH'
over children, whether legitimate or adopt
ed is unlimited The pat0ta'pi!iGs can do
with them as he likes He may not only
chastise, but may sell, expose OF XII
them Archdeacon Gray who spent forty
years among the Chinese, and IS one OF the
highest authorities on Chinese matters,
saws there is no law to restrict parents in
the exercise Of authority over their chill
drcu they can sell them, and the children
OF Chinese parents are in some instances
put to death He gives instances Of par
EMS killing children; instances under his
own observation, and the Chinese officials
replied to foreigners protesting, that there
had been no transgTesSiOn of parental
authority" Among all who have written
on The Chinese there IS
NO DIVISION OF OPINION
AS TO the existence of this authority.
Q-But is itin practical operation to-day,
according to your own observation
Ayes. A man can't walk in any
street in any town in China, without meet
ing with und0ubted evidences of the exer-
Cises of this authority.
Q.-Do you mean by that that children
are exposed for sale on the streets
A.-Yes; these evidences are the great
numbers of young and old who are being
bought and sold daily.
Q-Does the sale transfer the parental
authority to the purchasers
A.-Yes; the buyer stands in loco pa
RENTS.
Q-suppose the purchaser frees the
bondman?
Ale would go back under the pa
rental authority.
Q.-SuppoSe the slave buys his freedom
At does not relieve him. In Rome
the child gaming freedom the third time
became absolutely free. IN China there is
no escape for him at all, no matter how
often he buys himself free.
Q.-But those who come here are they
not clear of this authority?
A-No, sir. Du Halde, who wrote the
first great work on China, and which is still
the fountain head of all information on
China, says Misery produces prodi-
gious number Of slaves, who mortgaged
themselves with the privilege Of redemp-
ton. if they can. A man sometimes sells
his son, and even himself and wife but if