Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 64

1841.

Address to Foreign Residents in China.

47

perties of those who (as they now know) have it in their power to ask, and, if need be, to take, redress. A safe channel for communi- cation has been opened, on fair and honorable grounds, so that, whenever necessary, complaints and demands may be made with equal facility. The rule of right must, we would fain hope, be here henceforth respected, and all enmities and violence laid aside.

War-an evil, and a great evil—is ever to be deprecated, whether offensive or defensive. The expedition of 1840 will be viewed very much according to the interest af those who look at it. If it termi- mates, as it seems likely soon to do, with a treaty of commerce and amity, and without more bloodshed, its projectors will no doubt be well satisfied. The belligerent parties have both suffered much, and will both rejoice at the restoration of peace, the advantages of which they can now more than ever before appreciate. Chastisement is sometimes necessary. It is an evident part of the divine administra- tion even in this world. And it was not an unnatural remark for a Chinese, “that the gods were angry with both his own countrymen and with foreigners because of their wickedness, and that when a few hundreds or a few thousands of each had fallen as sacrifices they would then be satisfied." But with such sacrifices, we know the God of heaver is not well pleased. It is happy there has been here comparatively so little suffering. It is matter for rejoicing that the scourge of war is stayed, and that there is a prospect of peace being henceforth maintained, and that, at the same time, foreigners will be more respected and enjoy such immunities as are usually possess ed in other countries. In these prospects, obscure as they yet are, we rejoice, and the more because the proposed objects of ameliora- tion are likely to be gained without protracted war.

Comparing now the present with the past, we see considerable advances have been made. However reluctantly, the Chinese are coming into-nay they are already within-the great circle of na- tions, from which they cannot recede. In the course of improvement there will be checks; these, however, by degrees will be all over- come or removed.

These new and altered relations are happily of a nature suscepti- ble of easy and rapid improvement; and to the means of effecting this, we wish to draw the attention of our readers, and of those par- ticularly who reside in China; for upon such, the events of the past year have devolved new obligations with increased responsibilities.

Firinness and decision-always accompanied with a mild, accom- modating, and straight-forward policy-are now more than ever