China.
The December number of Blackwood's Magazine contains a history of the several embassies that have been sent to Great Britain by China. In the course of that article, the writer lets fall certain expressions, from which we are enabled, we think, to read the future of the celestial empire with a tolerable degree of accuracy. He comments with great and just severity upon the barbarous murders perpetrated by the Tartars upon the helpless captives who fell into their hands during the late war. He recalls the repeated violations of treaty obligates of which the Tartar Government has been guilty, and he hints the policy of taking the part of the rebels, who are the nave Chinese, expelling the Tartar dynasty, and of replacing it by one which shall be genuine Chinese.In the few paragraphs which the writer in question devotes to this part of his subject, he foreshadows for China a fate identical with that of the mighty Empire of Awrungzebe. When the restless ambition of Dupleix induced him, one hundred and twenty years ago, to found an European Government upon the ruins of that Empire, he began precisely in the manner proposed by this writer. He saw that the forces of the Indian chiefs were little more than a rude and barbarous mob. He knew that the largest army of Orientals could not stand the shock of even a small body of well trained Europeans for a moment. Yet he discovered that they were naturally brave and that they might be formed into excellent soldiers. He saw, moreover, that the easiest way to obtain the supremacy was to set up a native Prince — to act as his protector — to make him a puppet — and to obtain his order for every act of violence and usurpation. This is precisely the course now recommended to the English Government. The Chinese are to be instructed in military tactics — their chief is to be raised to the throne rendered vacant by the expulsion of the Tartar Dynasty whose rule is said to be abhorred by every native-born Chinese — he is to be acknowledged by the English--all treaties are to be made with him — and the English are to be his protectors. It is not difficult to foresee how all this will end. The English will use the new Chinese Emperor as they used the Great Mogul, to justify their acts, and to stand between them and the native population. At first they will act only in his name. Gradually, they will remove piece after piece of the mask. Finally, they will lay aside all disguise, and no longer content with being the real, they will become the avowed rulers of the country.
Will this be the better for China? We acknowledge we entertain very strong doubts. We are accustomed to regard as pride, in barbarous and savage nations, that reserve common to them all. The American Indian cannot be induced to express his admiration of anything. Black Hawk and his followers behaved, on board the Delaware, mounting an hundred guns, manned by a crew of a thousand men, and all ready for a long cruise, as though they were on board an Indian canoe. They expressed astonishment at nothing — not even at the firing of a broadside. Was this pride, or was it a feeling of a very opposite character? A man who came with a body of wild Indians to this city, and delivered a lecture, many years ago, touched upon this very subject. He had lived the greater part of his life among the savages. He said this stoical indifference was the effect of shame. The savage was well aware of the white man's superiority, and afraid of exposing his ignorance before him. He could not bring himself to admit his inferiority, by acknowledging that he had not seen the like before. Such, we presume, is the feeling of the Chinese. They cannot but know the immense superiority of the European nations. They are ashamed to own their own inferiority.--Hence their lofty assumptions, and jealous exclusion of strangers. They know that if they once obtain a foothold they may bid adien to their independence. They cannot but be familiar with the history of Hindostan.
This exclusiveness has been shaken to the foundation by the recent successes of the Allies. The question again recurs, will it be the better for the Chinese? It is certain that the worst Government the English ever had in India was better than the best Government of their native Princes. Yet we all remember the bloody revolt in favor of the ancient system, four years ago. Our own opinion is, that the Government which best suits the people is the best Government they can have, let it be as bad as it may in theory. Although, therefore, the English may increase the comfort of every individual in the Empire — although they may spread a perfect web of railroads over the country — although they may bridge the Yellow Sea with steamships — we doubt whether the people will be so well contented as they are under the Tartar Dynasty.
