The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-08-01

stopping the trade, and the celebrated
Chinese official, Lin was sent to Can
ton with orders to require the sur,
render and destruction Of all opium.
whether in the hands OF what Were
called "Horg' merchants or Chinese
merchants As further measure o1
prevention Lin established blockade
! of Canton by Chinese forces and
batteries. Dispute arose with Mr
Charles Elliott, representing the
British merchants. Collision occur
red between the natives and British
seamen, and although the Chinese
government showed considerable
desire to avert hostilities, no satisfac-
tory arrangements could be reached
for the suppression of the opium
trade
Finally. in 1s4o. the British began
active hcstilisies; Canton was captured,
bat admitted to ransom by Elliot.
whose clemeacy led to bis recall and
tue appointment of Sir Henry Poltin-
ger to conduct the war 10 his stead.
The great Yacgtze river vas asceuaed,
,he oity Of n-Kispg Fu, the port OF
Nankia, was taken by storm after
desperate resistance and appalling
destruction of life, thousands OF the
Maochu AID Tartar soldiers committing
suicide after killing their wives aud
ohildrsu, rather than surrender. Every
thing was 10 readiness for similar
assault upon NsnkiO, when the Chinese
made ogertures for peace, Which was
concluded upon the payment by China
of an indemnity for all the opium
coofsca.ed AID destroyed, all the losses
of British merchants aud expenses CT
the British crowp, the opening OF the
five ports, thereafter known as the
",7easy posts," TO British trade and the
cession to Great Britain Of the island OF
Hong Kong.
Reduced to plain words,' says an
EogIisb historian, 'the principle for
which We fought il the China war was
the right of Great Britain to force a
peculiar trade upon foreign people in
spite of the proteststions of The govern.
mens ard all such public opioion as
there was of the nation. We
asserted, or at least acted on the assec-
ton, of claim so unreasonable and
even monstrous that it nevsr could
have been made upon any nation strong
enough to render its assertion matter
Of serious responsibility y After ex-
planning the machinery by which the
opium trade vas carried on and refer
ring to Lord Palmerston's defense in
parliament Of Eoglaud's participation
in the Infamous traffic, the same writer
proceeds
Let ua find an Illustration Ineligible
to readers of the present day to show
bow uojusti6able was this practice.
The State Of Maine. as everyone knows,
prohibits the common sale Of sp!rltuous
liquors. Let US suppose that several
companies Of English merchants were
formed in Portland and Augusta aud
other towns Of Maine Tor the purpose
of brewing beer aud distillipg wblssey
aud selling both to she people of Maine
IN defanca of State laws. Let Cs far-
.he7 suppose that when the authorities
of Maine proceeded TO put the State
lass 10 force against these iotruders cur
government here took up the cause OF
the whistey sellers and sept aa lroo
Glad aset 20 Portland to compel the
people of Maine to put up "i'b them
Io the case of such oatlon as the
Ucitcd States nothing Of the kind
would be possible. But 10 dealing
vito Chioa the ministry ae7cr seems 70
have shcught the right or wrong OF
tee question matter worthy OF aoy
consideration
This, te it remembered, was the
catering wedge. The door OF China
vas violently forced open by Eog'ana
in order tia, the profitable out infamous
opium traffic might dnd free easTsoce
Who will say that England Is act
responsible for more than the bloaa,
ssed 10 the OPIUM war"-tbe sou!s
ana bodies os oil.io.s Of human beings
rraed by the opium habit l. At 'ess'
suggests that lu deai.cg with wcste:r
ciei!;zs,ioa Cb:ca, if slDnlog. Gas also
beea erievensly siaDed agaius: 1t
u,ay 5e :aat i: hardly 'econe rs to
traw s,aaes q, Eoslana Gu account
O: the coi.m ,r&no, when socay 'c ;ae
PHILIPPINES. in Cuaa aud Puerto a;eo,
a1:;er the kioai2 pro:ec:ion . res
daa, iIch;a:cg AID 5;s aasnia's;fa:lon,
TIE fq1or trade, a;"a:s 'bc :;fs: 70
foii,ow the a., y is staying us
Thousands, p.c7.Dg .sa!e deadly suss
Il. ct rp, CciT;prs