Year: 1870

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United States. Though he was the Ambassa-
dor Of China his native country is the CHIEF
mourner. China has reason to mourn over
the loss of such an able representative the
nations Of Europe may well deplore the death
of man who has done so much to break down
the prejudices Of the past and to advance
civilization in Asia but this country, the land
Of his birth, has the greatest cause for sorrow.
Though he was the distinguished Ambassador,
at the time of his sudden and ,Ntimely death,
of the great Chinese empire and the Oldest
nation in the world, he was an American In
heart and feeling, and one Of the best and
highest types Of American character, pro-
gress and civilization.


Looking at the high honor-the worldwide
honor--Mr. Burlingame had attained, and that
step by step from an humble beginning, and at
the fact that he was cut off in the prime OF LIE
when a glorious future seemed to lie before
him, we may say in the language that Shaks-
peare puts in the mouth Of Woolsey, that he
fell with all his blushing honors thick upon
him. He had brilliant career in Congress
before he entered into the diplomatic service
of his country. He was never an extreme or
impiacable partisan, though he belonged to the
republican party and strictly adhered to 1t all
through. He was opposed to slavery and
marched with his party in the progressive war
it made on that institution. His mind was
imbued with the idea that prevailed in New
England and throughout the North generally
that slavery was inimical to progress and the
advanced civilization Of the age. II was in
connection with the republican anti-slavcry
party that he attained prominent position
in Congress. During the three terms that
he served there, however, he became con-
spicuous for bis talents, tact and courage.
With regard to his courage, the aacrity


with which he prepared to fight Brooks of
South Carolina did more, perhaps, to procure
for him popularity and admiration in the
North than any other act of his Congressional
career. The Southern men were proud of
their duelling courage, and were in the habit
Of twittng the Northerners for their supposed
was the pink of South Carolina and Southern
chivalry, Mr.. Burlingame made himself the
champion Of the North, and consequently be-
came very popular in his own section and with
his party. Still, as was said, he was not an
implacable partisan, and through his natural
urbanity and social character he was more
liked, probably, by the generous-minded
Sontherners than any other prominent republi-
can in Congress. In 1861 President Lincoln
appointed him Minister to Austria, on which
mission he did not 60, and shortly after he was
sent as Minister to China.


After Mr.. Burlingame reached Pekin he
found there new field for his progressive
ideas. The policy that had been pursued
by the great Powers Of the civilized
world in and toward China, particul larly
by England, up to that time, had been, as he
emphatically expressed it himself, the throat
policy. That is, China was not recognized as
an equal among nations, to have her difficult
ties settled with them by diplomatic inter-
course or upon the ordinary principles of in
ternational law or comfy. Conditions were
offered or demands made upon the government
at Pekin, and If they were not accepted an
armed force was sent to enforce them. This
was the mode adopted for opening China to
commerce and intercourse with the Western
Powers. Even the United States had partici-
pated to some extent in this force policy; for
our war vessels joined those of England and
France at one time in forcing way up to the
seat of the Chinese government Mr. Bur-
Iingame saw the injustice and impolicy of such
treatment. He took broad and liberal view
OF the matter, and became convinced that the
time had arrived when the old throat or force
policy should be reversed. Without going
into the question as to the necessity
of such policy previously he was
satisfied that China was then prepared for
more liberal, just and enlightened treatment,
a treatment more agreeable to the spirit and
progress of the age. Fortunately he found at
Pekin a powerful ally--the representative of
Great Britain--to carry'out the new policy he
inaugurated. From that time a change was
made and China was placed on something like
the same footing as the Western nations stood
to each other. Great resistance was offered
by the old British traders and opium snug
glers, but the United States government soon
approved of Mr.. Burlngame's course and Eng
land followed though more tardily and some
what reluctantly. From that period new
age commenced in Asia--a new life for the
ancient and populous empire Of China.


Well might the liberal minded regent,
Prince Kung, and enlightened mandarlns of
that vast country hail Mr.. Burlingame as their
best friend. They esteemed him and appreci-
ated his services to China so much
that when he resigned his position as
United States Minister and was taking
leave of them to return home they
begged of him to accept the more important
mission of Ambassador for China to all the
Western Powers. The world and Mr.. Burlin-
game himself were astonished at this unprece-
dented and liberal conduct OF the Chinese gov