The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-03
CHANGED BY KINDNESS.
Dlsintorostod Charity ovoroomes ProJu-
dlco aud Hatred.

Dlsintcrostcd Charity Ovorcomcs ProJu-
dlco aud Hatred.
The old fable Of the sun and the wind
striving for the mastery has been we'll
illustrated by recent events in China.
The wind blew its fercest upon the
traveller without any other effoct than
causing him to wrap his cloak tighter
about him. The sun, however, simply
shone upon the man with such gentle
force as to mako him speedily throw
aside his cloak. China has for many
centuries carried out, SO far as it was
possible. policy OF rigid exclusiveness,
which tho Western nations have en-
deavored to overcome. when peaooablo
measure failed, by forco Of arms.
though in the course Of the last fifty
years many Of the old restrictions on
foreign intercourse have been removed.
yet tho mass OF the people still rega I'd
Europeans and Americans as "foreign
devils" while the government in its
Official dealings with the representa-
tives OF Christian powers has always
assumed certain air OF contemptuous
superiority which has boon at times
both laughable and irritating.
Such was tho condition of affairs
when, in 1888, terrible flood, followed
by an equally destructive famine, doso-
lated the province Of which Shanghai
and Marking are the principal cities
The sympathios OF tho English who
lived in that part of the empire wcro
deeply touched by the sight of so much
suffering, and they mado urgent ap-
peals to their countrymon to aid them
in supplying these starving millions
with food.
Generous responses came from all
parts of the United Kingdom and India
Tho Queen headed tho Mansion House
fund i'll London with a subscription OF
one hundred pounds. Tho money ro-
ceivcd WAS expended in the most caro-
full and judicious manner, all engaged
in tho work giving their services.
This was not the first timo that tho
English had relieved similar suffering
In China, but all previous charities had
been accepted with a gracious condo
sccnsion on tho part of tho rulers, as if
1T were kind OF tribute paid by vas
sails very different feeling, how
ever, manifested itself on this occasion
on the part both OF high official and
OF the Emperor himself
Tho Viceroy of Marking sent n mo-
mortal to Picking by special messenger
last autumn, in which no expresses the
warmcst recognition of the assistance
given by the Shanghai reliof commit
tee.
They spread tho intelligence" of
the famine, it said, Ito tho gentry and
rich people of foreign countries, who,
thinking upon the goodness of tho
Sacred Dynasty pervadng tho uni
verse, did, oven III tho most distant
places, with one accord readily, and
with joyful love of charity, give dona-
tons"
Tho Vicoroy calls especial attention
to tho fact that the committee 'dovot-
cd every iota Of the amount collected to
the public good, without charging any
thing for expenses" lilo recommended
in closing that lettor be writton by
tho famcn of Foreign Affairs, thank
ing the Queen OF England for tho
mark of her sympathy for our people,"
and that Mr.. Drummond, tho chairman
OF the relief committee, BIO decorated
with the button of o Mandarin of tho
third rank.
few years ago n Governor who had
dared to write such a dispatch and to
mako such recomm endations would
have been instantly recalled to Pelin
in disgrace.
Upon this memorial the Emperor.
using tho vermillion pencil, wrote:
Let it be as requested. and lot the
Yamen take note thereof Respect
this" The power OF disinterestod char
ity in overcoming prejudice and hatred
as has rarely been bottor illustra ted
than by this incident Youths Com
pa Mon.