The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-08-31
TIE CURSE OF CHINA.

bear to the alleged civilizing agencies
pilfered from them their rights to COL
lect their own revenues and to protect
the weaknesses that the flesh Is heir to.
The British are to blame for all Of the
disturbances that have occurred in
China up to this time. This Ii easily
proven by history. Opium. and the
desire to introduce it into the empire,
caused war that resulted In the sub
version of the Chinese to the trade
notions Of the British. The civilizing
agency the British employed with the
Chinese has been the insidious drug.
China has been retrograding ever since
the British opium eating influence got
into the nation. An epitome of the
events leading up to the "open door
policy for the introduction Of opium
will be Of interest and is particularly
pertinent at this time. The cyclopedia
of classified datesab by Charles E. Little,
compiler Of Biblical Lights and other
works. contains information chronology
cally arranged, that cannot but guide
the reader to the proper conclusion as
to causes and effects with reference
to the Celestial empire. The history of
Great Britain's crimes against the
peace-loving Chinese is succinctly set
forth in the following data:
I U,TI, I, ITTcu1 nIl nDTTINF Wy ADO
17S1-The East India company (Brit-
! ish) takes charge of the opium trade
(and the importation of 1000 chests per
/ year)
1SOO-The government becomes great
ly alarmed, and an edict is issued, for
bidding the importation of opium by
any person for any purpose whatever.
The severest penalties are prescribed
: for those violating the law, nothing less
than the confiscation of the vessel, the
destruction of the opium, and the capi-
tai execution of the smugglers.
1S31-The British opium trade destroy
ed by the laws prohibiting it's use,
military expedition is sent to Canton.
England sends men-of-war to Canton,
and arms the lorchas of the opium
, smugglers.
| 1s32-Strangling is the penalty for
selling opium; and an offender is thus
executed at Macoa, in the presence Of a
crowd Of foreigners.
! 1S2S-Severe prohibitory laws against
the use of opium destroy the pernicious
trade and exasperates the British
merchants.
4 -(December)-Lord Napier Is
appointed chief superintendent of trade
with China, with John Davis as one of
his two assistants. July 15-Lord Ma
| pier arrives as superintendent Of Brit
| ish commerce.
| 1S34.-Lord Napier reaches Canton.
The Chinese refuse to have any deal
1 ings with him, and interdict all trade
! with those associated with him. The
| British sends another expedition 20
, Canton. September 5.-A battle be-
, tween two British ships and the natives
begins the war; several Chinese are
killed.
October 11.-Lord Napier dies and is
succeeded by Sir John Davis. Novem-
berthe British disputes with the
Chinese, respecting the opium trade,
which the emperor prohibits.
! 1S36-CDecember A.)-Captain George
! Elliot is appointed superintendent of
| trade by the British government.
1837.-(March.)- 1.-The opposition is re-
J laxed, and Elliot establishes himself at
Canton.
1S3s-(July 12.)--Admiral Maitland
arrives at Macoa.
1S39-(January.)-Th emperor ap-
T, points Lin Tishseu special commissioners
/, OF visit Canton and break up the opium
trade. March 1s.-Governor Lin con-
centrates a military force near Canton,
and orders the seizure Of British opium
to prevent 1t from being smuggled in
to the empire. April 3.-The Chinese
seize 20,2S3 chests Of British opium,
| valued at more than $40, ,000,0 900 and de-
stroy 1t. (This Is regarded by the
British government as "casus belli.D
August 19.-The Chinese demand the
entire abandonment Of the opium trade
which the British refuse to promise.
! December 6-British trade Is interdict-
ed.
1S39.-Hong Kong Is taken by the
British under Captain Elliot. The i'm
perial Commissioner Lin writes to
| Queen Victoria imploring her to put an
end to the trade.
1S40.-The British declare war. The
| first opium war begins.
1S41.-(August 29)--The war ends Wy
the defeat of the Chinese. The Emperor
Taukwang, in reply to Sir Henry Pot
fingers demand for the legalization Of
| the opium trade, said True, I can
not prevent the introduction of the
poison; but nothing will induce me to
raise a revenue from the vice AMI
misery Of my people," The emperor.
himself reformed opium smoker, had
lost three sons by the vice.
| 1s42.-The treaty of Nankin is signed.
Hong Kong ceeded to the British. Chi
nese to pay $21.O00,o00 indemnity and
open Canton, Annoy, Shanghai, Ming
Po and Truchau to British trade.
That is what has occurred to China.
France has done her part too in intro
ducing the poisonous stuff that takes
the vitality out Of the old empire. This