CHINA AND THE EUROPEAN SYSTEM.
THE Chinese would not repel the peaceable alliance with England if they knew what they were about; and the main fault of the recent "demonstrations" made by the British authorities is, that they are not calculated to convey a distinct proposition to the Chinese mind. The Chinese have for some two centuries been taught to consider the Europeans as a race who might be repelled, by cajolery in most cases and by force in the extreme resort : they still• find us haggling for small encroachments on the frontier, and only more difficult, not impossible, to keep back by cajolery. We do not represent in our actions the inevitable necessity that awaits China.
Circumstances have vastly changed since the Jesuits obtained a bare toleration of their presence and Lord Macartney was bowed out. Europeans were then a distant race : the South Seas now swarm with them ; and the outposts of European civilization, in the shape of colonies, are advancing upon, the once remote Celes- tial Empire—now within regular steam communication The Northern and Western world is in great part appropriated; the wild regions in which adventure won its pleasures and its booty are narrowed ; and there is a countless host of adven- turers in posse who would be called into active existence if a, fair field for their action were to show itself. Attention has been drawn to China ; her strength, or rather her weak- ness, has been measured inpitched battle. China is a suit- able prey for the innumerable Raleighs and the Pizarros of the present day whom opportunity would evoke into life.
What is it that prevents the partition of China among bands from all quarters of the globe? It is that European system of international law into which the Chinese refuse to enter. Loose, obscure, and ill-observed even by ourselves as that code is, it is effectual just now for the protection of China. Were China for- Melly- excommunicated from it—were her repudiation answered by a total withdrawal of all European intercourse and recogni- tion—in six months she would be traversed by bands of lawless adventurers; in a year she would be partitioned among petty monarchs or conquering "republics" ; and not long after we should be called upon to "recognize "King John Smith of Can- ton, the Sovereign Count Albuquerque of New Brazil, President Jonathan Q. Twiggs of Grallipotville territory, and many other states as "independent" as ever Texas was. The alternative of the peaceful and orderly commercial alliance which china repudiates is fearful and imminent. If she did but know it, she must give in. But how can she learn the existence of such cogent circumstances, while she finds us still chaffering, with only rather more troublesome importunity, for small en-
croachments and petty trading privileges on the distant frontier. We wage war which is no war ; inflict terror and death_ on the helpless Celestials, and then, out of some exaggerated fancy of moderation, halt ,just where we might drive home, a salutasy. conviction even into the sacred presence that doth,,hedgethay Emperor.
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