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Article FREEMASONRY IN CHINA.* ← Page 7 of 8 →
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Freemasonry In China.*
wo remember in how many instances recent events have proved the inaccuracy of their statements , they must be received with a considerable degree of latitude . It is not improbable that the Triads are descendants of the adherents of the old Chinese dynasty , previous to the Tartar conquest—that their objects are the overthrow of the present government , and a return to the rules of their native princes ; and hence they are denounced as being people of the very worst description . It ishowever
, , foreign to our subject to enquire into the political opinions of this or other societies ; it is sufficient to know that the greater portion of the native inhabitants of this colony are members of one or more of these associations . The ordinance in question grants to the executive poiver , upon proof being adduced , that any of the Chinese inhabitants are members of the Triad , or other secret society , to convict them of felony to imprison them for three yearsto brand them on the right checkand
, , to expel them from the island . Since the persecution of the Jews in Spain , history has no parrallel to this , if the ordinance is attempted to be enforced . We exonerate the Executive of all sinister or improper motives for the passing of sucli an ordinance ; but we fear the men who could assent to it do not possess the judgment ancl other qualifications which are requisite in those who would rule over the small island of Hongkong . Even our ancient friend
Sancho , of Don Quixote celebrity , could not have made a greater mess of his island than such laws will make of this one . It was but a few months ago that the weakness and irresolution of this government were exhibited in a most melancholy manner ; ancl we fear that their timid apprehension of riots—seditious riots—may induce
them to enact laws which will be denounced wherever the English language is understood . By tbe Registration Act , the local government have already poiver granted them to expel any of the native inhabitants , by the simple act of refusing a registration ticket . If they so fear these terrible Triads , why not deport them quietly , without such a cruel and barbarous punishment as branding them on the face—disfiguring the work of the Almighty , without even convicting the victim of crimeor at least of
, any greater crime than being a member of a society which is believed to be a dangerous one . Diplomacy aud legislation have been the curses of this colony . With a large and expensive Executive ( in proportion to the limited duties they have to attend to ) , we see month after month passing away , their united wisdom producing no greater results than taxes upon gambling houses , and other haunts of infamy , or the levying a heavy auction duty on sales
—the very step that was required to drive away the small trade that exists in the colony . Measure after measure of our rulers has tended to check our commercial prosperity . When respectable native merchants would have settled among us , they were coldly received , ancl left the colony in disgust ; and now the greater part of those who are here are liable to be imprisoned and branded , upon the information of malicious persons .
The power which this ordinance gives to our rulers is quite incompatible with a good government . They have an unlimited control over the persons cf twenty thousand of the inhabitants , and at any time can cause their ruin and disgrace . This ordinance is a fearful law , and the injury it will inflict on the colony , if persisted in , is incalculable . Not only will the Chinese cease to come here for the purposes of traffic , but
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In China.*
wo remember in how many instances recent events have proved the inaccuracy of their statements , they must be received with a considerable degree of latitude . It is not improbable that the Triads are descendants of the adherents of the old Chinese dynasty , previous to the Tartar conquest—that their objects are the overthrow of the present government , and a return to the rules of their native princes ; and hence they are denounced as being people of the very worst description . It ishowever
, , foreign to our subject to enquire into the political opinions of this or other societies ; it is sufficient to know that the greater portion of the native inhabitants of this colony are members of one or more of these associations . The ordinance in question grants to the executive poiver , upon proof being adduced , that any of the Chinese inhabitants are members of the Triad , or other secret society , to convict them of felony to imprison them for three yearsto brand them on the right checkand
, , to expel them from the island . Since the persecution of the Jews in Spain , history has no parrallel to this , if the ordinance is attempted to be enforced . We exonerate the Executive of all sinister or improper motives for the passing of sucli an ordinance ; but we fear the men who could assent to it do not possess the judgment ancl other qualifications which are requisite in those who would rule over the small island of Hongkong . Even our ancient friend
Sancho , of Don Quixote celebrity , could not have made a greater mess of his island than such laws will make of this one . It was but a few months ago that the weakness and irresolution of this government were exhibited in a most melancholy manner ; ancl we fear that their timid apprehension of riots—seditious riots—may induce
them to enact laws which will be denounced wherever the English language is understood . By tbe Registration Act , the local government have already poiver granted them to expel any of the native inhabitants , by the simple act of refusing a registration ticket . If they so fear these terrible Triads , why not deport them quietly , without such a cruel and barbarous punishment as branding them on the face—disfiguring the work of the Almighty , without even convicting the victim of crimeor at least of
, any greater crime than being a member of a society which is believed to be a dangerous one . Diplomacy aud legislation have been the curses of this colony . With a large and expensive Executive ( in proportion to the limited duties they have to attend to ) , we see month after month passing away , their united wisdom producing no greater results than taxes upon gambling houses , and other haunts of infamy , or the levying a heavy auction duty on sales
—the very step that was required to drive away the small trade that exists in the colony . Measure after measure of our rulers has tended to check our commercial prosperity . When respectable native merchants would have settled among us , they were coldly received , ancl left the colony in disgust ; and now the greater part of those who are here are liable to be imprisoned and branded , upon the information of malicious persons .
The power which this ordinance gives to our rulers is quite incompatible with a good government . They have an unlimited control over the persons cf twenty thousand of the inhabitants , and at any time can cause their ruin and disgrace . This ordinance is a fearful law , and the injury it will inflict on the colony , if persisted in , is incalculable . Not only will the Chinese cease to come here for the purposes of traffic , but