The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-19

In commercial affairs the integrity of
Chinese merchants is proverbal. And
their code of laws IS as rare as their
moral customs. A learned critic says
about their penal code in the Edinburgh
Review: When we turn from the
rawlings of the Zendavesta to the tone
Of sense and of business Of this Chinese
collection we seem to be passing from
darkness to light; from the drivellings
of dotage to the exercise of an improved
understanding: and redundant and
minute as these laws are in many par
ticularS, we scarcely know any
European code that is a once so copi-
Gus and so consistent, or that is nearly
so free from intricacy, bigotry and
fiction" Are such laws not worthy of
conservatism?
How much of our co-CalleJ progress
we owe to tagging old "Chinkie" The
compass, printing, and gun powder are
the results of his ingenuity. l am not
sure but all the nations of Europe owe
their very existence to Johns" ex-
IRENE Monroe doctrine, or conserVa-
tSm. Should he turn his attention for
generations to the European business
of aggressive warfare it would not he
a drain on the population to put fifty
million soldiers in the field; his enor-
nous and independent natural re-
sources could easily maintain them.
Half that number could smother and
exterminate the armies of Europe, but
he is "A peace loving man; he does not
| take to war; he only wishes to be let
| alone and to live in his old fashioned
way. Monroeism is all right for
N
We are all conservative; but eXag-
gerated conservatism we can see best
in others--t is the old story of the mote
in the others fellows eye. Have you
OVER seen a little board with the
ominous word. mo Trespassing?" That
is conservatism. We buy adjoining lots
to prevent neighbors from coming too
near us. Nations do the same We
love the old homestead, and John
Chinaman" loves his.
THE BEAM AND THE NOTE.
But the most intolerant are willing to
| admit that the Chinese as a people are
| greatly hampered by their rock bound
| customs, fanaticisms and superstitions
| Many of our customs have been handed
| down from time immemOrial; some are
| subject to change; our fanaticism is
moderating slowly by centuries; many
| of our superstitions are very generally
| accepted but their being of a different
| type, are of course all wronE-heathen
ish, barbarous, We picture the devil
| in a very crude way, equipped with
horns hoofs and claws; they have a
dragon which is believed to perform
wonderful pranks. They have faith in
| many ludiCrOus cures; we have faith
| cure, and a widespread belief in count
less vile drugs that cure all known
classes, and until recently, blood
letting was practiced by Old-school
physicians. The Chinese believe a cat 3
eye swallowed whole will cure eye
disease; we have homeopathy. (Similia
similabus curantur.) SO when judged
by a perfectly natural and independ-
ent standard, our universal superiority
will bear little scrutiny 1t reminds
us of the Quaker who said to his good
wife, Hannah, / think everybody is
queer expect thee and me, and some
times think thee a little queer" How
often it is that to he different is to be
wrong; and that followers of religion
whose cardinal doctrine is charity, un-
consciously sanction persecution.
POSITIVE TRAITS.
| have only mentioned some of the
negative traits of the Chinese character
and slNCe does not permit me to con-
slider at length his virtues--his agricul-
tural skill. his wonderful industry. his
economy and thrift, his patient forbear-
ancc his docility, and how well he
minds his own business" Would tha,
the world knew John" better before II
heaps is anathemas upon him. He
cannot pass along our streets without
insults and jeer from our unmannerly
and superimpudent boys, Poor China.
man may say--"A land of liberty in,
deed! hut no liberty for me-not ever
civlity!"
If our civilization be superior, surely
it ought not to lack fair-play and civil,
ity. / think, in general, an American
meets more civility in China than a
Chinaman does in America. Five hun,