The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-22
Hon. T. Z. SHOEMAKER Lectures
on China and Chinese.
New Jersey Orator Has High Praises
for the Great Empire of the
Orient and Its People-Telis OF
Their Government. Religion and
Laws-Large Audience Charmed
by the Speakers Ei0Quence.

TWO hours Of wisdom, wit and eloquence
were afforded large and representative
audience a. the AFm0ry last nigal by the
Hon. +. Y. Scaoonrnaksr's lecture on
china. the Shadow the Word.
While III Seattle during the last cam
paign as one OF The orators sent out by
the national Republican campaign COM
Tnltte1. 2F. Scho0Tauiaker established mis-
reputation as a ready AMI pleasing speaker
on political topics % the day. but last
night ne displayed versatility and a fund
OF rare information which few but MS in-
innate friends knew nim 10 possess. Talk
ing ia an easy, conversational style ne
tod MS audience facts about the great en-
prs OF the East, its people, their habits,
their beliefs, ana last but no. least. Their
skill In manufactures that were both novel
and interesting, lie predicted that lae
United States would in the near future
feed this teeming millions OF China, and
propheslea1 that OH Puget sound would one
day stand the greatest city Of the world.
The meeting vas presided over by Mayor
dumes and number Of prominent clti-
zens OF all political beliefs occupied the
platform. AT the request OF the chairman
Viii II. Thompson introduced the eloquent
New Jersey orator, referring III u happy
vein To the subject OF the iatters lecture
and its peculiar appropriateness TO the
present time.
r
By several amusing anecdotes showing how
difficult il IL for Il visitor in foreign
country TO gather facts from what he
sees; that was one OF the reasons why he
said that Americans had reached so many
absurd conclusions regarding China and
the Chinese. 10 dispel many as possible
of such deiusions would be the object u his
lecture.
He then went on to tell Of two Of the
reasons for the extreme distrust manifest
ed toward all Christians i'll China. one
the infamous forcing upon China OF
Indian opium by England under the pre-
tense of Introducing Christianity. For every
ounce of Christianity. he said, nifty ounces
OF opium had gone into the empire ia spite
Of The passionate remonstrances Of the
Chinese government, and hatred OF
Christianity foster which years had not
effaced
The other great wrong done the Chinese
BY Christians was when the treaty made
with the Christian powers OF Europe, after
the Tai Ping rebellion had been put down
by their aid, was altered by an interpOia-
ton which gave missionaries "a right TO 80
anywhere throughout the empire unhind- :
cred. The facts regarding this trick Lpon
the Chinese nation we've beyond question,
M. Schoonmaker declared, and We're set
forth al length in a recent book by Sir
George Curzon. Niceroy Of India The de-
ception nc declared Vas not worthy Of
Christianity, no matter how Well intended
1t may have been.
Leaving the subject Of Chinese and Chi
to China itself. and paid high compli-
ment 10 the age and character of its civ
iiiza'.on. lie told many interesting facts
about the country ana its antiquity, of
roads which mad been beaten down ff-
teen feet below the level Of the earth by
the tread OF countless thousands of human
feet; how the Chinese had had a written
language ESQ years before the birth of
CArst; Of the great Chinese wall. 1000
miles long: ana built Just before The com
fnencement OF the Christian era in the
EHglf t.
lar isolation Of the great race inhabiting
The Oldest country on the globe,
Speaking of the Chinese religion, he said
there was none only system OF morals,
or ethical code. the nation was still as alb
s0iutely governed by confuc.us as though
ne wee still a living man. The system OF
government be described Ar paternai In
the extreme. and he described at length
how the government had gradually reduc-
ed ne STANDARD OF living 10 aceommodate
the fast increasing population. lie thought
Il high achievement TO AXE people happy
by preventing them from knowing that
their condition was not the best
He paid u high compliment 10 the Chas-
ttf Of Chinese women. They Were taught
IN be virtuous. the men 10 be great Such
\ hin. as an unfalthiul wife was un-
known.
Abiding to the fact that he himself had
been educated for 81 missionary and had
studied theology for nine years or more
Mf. Schoonraker turned 10 praise the Chi
nese system OF religion, or lack of religion,
their moral courage and their quiet sub
mission 70 the inevitable. His anecdotes IL
Illustrating the Chinese idea of he'll was most
amusing and was applauded. Every Chi
nese he said, had no idea OF any warse
future after death.
The Chinese code Of honor fl financial
matters met with Mr.. Schoonmaker's
Watmcst approval. Among them ne said
there WAS no greater Gishonor than TO fail
in the payment OF ones debts The result
was that mere were no laws for the col
lection OF debt and lawyers never had any
thing 10 do-a not wholly undesirable con-
Giton 81 affairs. Mr. SHOEMAKER thought
The people OF Puget sound were 70 be con-
graduated on the prospect of having such
honest people Ia d"a! with In the future.
Mr.. Schouumaker next took up the sub
swords as examples Of their wonderful skill
: hoonmaker. having spent years Of study,
WAS thoroughly IT home.
He closed 10y telling % the immense p3pu-
fafinn of China a least a50@a.fso. and her
necessity fer a base of food supplies
Prov r, nCp be said hai selected the wheat
feds az tSe United States FOR that purpose
a.d an tn FuitUr"9 80 Europe could not
proven, Il by the di~m"mbermert " China.
fortunately checked ny the Interference OF
.he United states i've tae Philippians
IN treating 90 tAiS subject Mr. Schonu-
maker showed himself thorough ..Np4n-
sjonset aud WAS warmly applauied His
references 20 the military heroes or the late
v.lT. e--ny- ally ten. JOSEF h Wheeler were
alS, warmly applaUic,i
S-rOr in ana see our fine line ~ Christ.
mass snap shot alAuuS. new designs L w