Year: 1868

THE CHINESE MISSION.


When Mr.. Burlngame, in his speech at san
Francisco, declared that his mission meant
"progress, peace, and a unification IN It's inter-
"ests of the whole human race" ne hardly
oyerstated the Importance of the remarkable
embassy upon which he has been dispatched
by one of the most remarkable nations the
world has ever seen. A country comprising
nea rly one-tenth the entire habitable surface
of the globe, and embracing population ten
times as great AS that of the United States
aboundng in every species of natural wealth; /;
rich in culture; and bOasting OF history ana
literature already old when the civilization OF
Europe was just dawning, has chosen him as
the messenger to announce its readiness to
throw open its boundless resources to the rest
of mankind. and TO enter that international
brotherhood from which for so many hundred
years it has resolutey held aloof. Europe and
America are no longer, in the eyes OF the Chi-
nese, barbarous regions from which no good
can come. We are no longer looked upon as
outcasts and devils, with whom it is hardly
decent to associate. China, so long the syno-
nym for exclusivencss and dissatisfaction, has
learned at last that all the world is one family,
and its various members have all something to
gain by contact with each other. For
Mr.. Burlingame's errand be it remembered,
is not a mere mission of ceremony, nor spe-
ciaI embassy for the conclusion of any specific
treaty, or the settlement of any particular
vexed question. 1t is literally an announce
ment by the Chinese Empire that it wishes
henceforth to be considered as one of the great
fa1o 10, nc from
which it has hitherto held aloof; that it adopts
the Western rules and customs of diplomacy !;
that it recognizes the equality of nations. Its
jealousy guarded ports will hencefOrth be
thrown open. It's enormous commerce Will cir
culate freely through the trade-channels OF the
world and from the mixture and attrition OF
the barDaric culture and ingenuity of the East
with the refinement and inventive genius OF
the West will result to both hemispheres n
rapid and substantial Improvement. AS soon
as the present ambassadors have carried their
message 10 the capitals of Europe and America,
resident Ministers will be appointed to represent
the Chinese Emperor at all these seats of gov
ernrent, and the full machinery of modern
official intercourse will be put into operation.


It is, of course, q matter of cOngTatulation to
us that an American should be chosen to take





the lead in this great work. 1t is high COM
pliment at once to the personal character of Mr.
Burlingame and to the reputation which
America has won on the other side Of the
globe for lust dealing with foreign nations.
Our policy toward China has uniformly been
omen and honorable. We have always respected
her laws and customs, and never tried
either TO extort concessions or to steal privileges.
And this is the result. The doors which have
resisted the battering of the European powers
for so many generations are freely unlocked Tor
Mr. Buringane. But it would be mistake TO
suppose that the mission concerns us more than
the rest of the world. All mankind have an
equal interest in it. and all will be certain to
profit from it. Hence, it may fairly be called
one of the most remarkable events in modern
history.


If it is remarkable, however, as an evidence
of progress on the part of China in the one
path wherein she never made progress before,
il is significant also, let us frankly confess, of
wholesome change in ourselves. The Chris
tian powers have treated that wonderful old
people rather superciliOusy, 1t must be con-
fessed, and have only recently discovered that
they had anything to learn from Asia, any re-
speet To pay it, anything whatever to do with
it except to buy its teas and silks. AS Mr..
Burlingame well says, it was not until the rep
rcsentatives of the Christian nations were
brought into personal relations with the chief
men of the state that they discovered China
to be something more than a huge curiosity
shop--to be. in fact great nation, well fitted
to be our master in many things, possibly our
superior in every important respect except a
knowledge of religion. When we learned this
lesson we made the first preparation for Mr..
Burlingame's extraordinary mission.