Year: 1868

The Chinese Embassy to the United States


md Its Importance.
The Chinese Embassy to the United States
which arrived here last Friday direct from
China by the way of California and the
Isthmus of Panama is one of the. most impor
tant and significant events of modern times or
in the history of the world. In whatever way
we look at this mission-in the motive that
prompted it, in the results to flow from it, in
the intellectual and exalted character of the
native officials associated with it, and, above
all, in the selection of an American citizen as
the chief ambassador-it is a most remarkable
event in international affairs and in the pro-
gress of civilization. 1t was thought the
arrival of the Japanese Embassy few years
ago was an extraordinary event, and so it was;
but what was that compared with this of
the Chinese? That, it is true, was mis-
numbering forty or fifty millions Of peo
pie, but this is from the oldest,
proudest and most populous empire on the
globe, which for the first time in history
voluntarily seeks closer and more intimate re-
lations with the rest of the world. And, more
surprising still, this is sought through the
medium chiefly of an ambassador not native
Of the country, and who represents in himself
the civilization of the Western hemisphere.
We may well be proud of the fact that Mr..
can Minister to China, has been chosen by the
imperial government for this exalted and i'm
portant position. 1t shows not only the wis
dom of the Chinese government in selecting
for this mission q statesman 30 admirably
suited and full of political experience, but it
ia also compliment to the United States and
gives evidence of the growing influence of this
country in China.


But this mission, which is the most extraor-
binary one that ever left China, is sent not
only to the United States, but to all the other
important Powers Of the Western World as
we'll We have the honor of receiving it first,
but it will 60 to England, France, Russia,
Prussia, Austria, Spain, Italy and the other
treaty Powers. We see in IL profound object
and the commencement of q new epoch
in the history of civilization and in the
intercourse between the Eastern and West
ern Worlds. 1t proclaims to mankind
that the barriers of exclusiveness which for
thousands of years have separated the races Of
men are about to be destroyed. The civilizing
influence of commercial and friendly inter-
course which this mission inaugurates will
soon produce the happiest results. Though
our country is the first to which the Embassy
is accredited the Chinese government has
been wise enough to give 1t wider sphere
OF action by sending II to all the treaty
Powers. The old order Of things, when one
nation endeavored to force exclusive privi-
leges upon or to wrest territory from China
at the cannons mouth, is at an end. Through
the admirable policy now adopted by the
Chinese government all the Western nations
will be interested in maintaining the integrity
Of the empire. One will be check upon the
ambition OF another, and the race will be fol
that commerce which will be open equally to
all, and beneficial both to China and the rest o.
the world. In carrying out this policy the gov.
ernment at Pekin saw the advantage and pro-
priety, undoubtedly, Of selecting for its Minis
ter citizen from great and now neighbor
ing Power, which had never made war upon 1
and which has no ambition inimical to th,
integrity and prosperity of China. The abb,
men at the head of that government saw, n,
doubt, that the United States is not a'