All about opium / edited by Hartmann Henry Sultzberger.

Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: All about opium / edited by Hartmann Henry Sultzberger. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the character, and, I might add, the prosperity of the nation. I do not believe that there ever has been a blacker page in the history of our country than that which records our transactions with China ; the war upon which we entered in endeavouring to carry out our opium traffic wras a war unjustifiable; and I quite agree with what Mr. Gladstone said with regard to it, that a war more unjust in its origin, or one more calculated to cover this country with permanent disgrace, he had never heard of. We have often heard the axiom, and it is as true now as ever, that that which is morally wrong cannot be politically right. I have no hesitation at all in saying that in whatever respect you may view this question, whether politically, commercially, or morally, the policy which has been pursued cannot be defended. We have in the course of that transaction placed ourselves in unfriendly relations with China, which we must all regret. China has felt, and I think justly felt, that she has been badly treated, and the conduct we have pursued towards China is one that we dare not pursue to France, to Germany, or any other European power. As regards the commerce of this country with China, it has interfered very greatly with that com- merce. Now we export, I think, something about from two hundred and fifty to three hundred millions annually from this country. The Australian colonies, with a population of not more than two millions, take about forty-five millions annually. China, with a population of four hundred millions, the third of the^ world’s popu- lation, takes from us about eight millions of British manufactures. Well, it is most important that we should establish such relations with China as would remove all feelings of animosity, and would remove all feelings that we have treated them badly, and endeavour, as far as possible, to cultivate the most friendly relations with that power. I need not refer to the moral grounds. Those will be dealt with, I am sure, by those gentlemen who will address you. It is not my inten- tion, nor do I think it desirable that I should occupy the time of this meeting, looking at the platform before you. But I can only say this, that I believe that we cannot defend our policy on moral grounds. We have done great injustice to China. I am glad to find that with regard to the future we may look forward to great improvement in the finances of India, and if our Government will manfully grapple with the question, if they will endeavour to do that which is right, I am sure they will find no difficulty in dealing with it. The opium traffic, or the revenue which it brings, rests on a very unstable foundation, and if we did not contribute as we do to the cultivation of opium in India, we could replace it with crops—say sugar crops—that would pay far better, and that would benefit the country. We have expended a large amount of money in putting down slavery, and it has been the pride of England that we have done so. We rejoice that we have put down slavery as far as we could throughout the world, but while we have put down slavery with the one hand, with the other hand we have given to China, or at least we have contributed as far as we could, to promote a slavery in China destructive both of the body and the soul. And let us not forget, my friends, that if nations permit great national, sins, they will be punished for them. There is a time of retribution for nations when they go wrong, as well as for individuals, and we have been taught a very, very serious lesson, with regard to our pos-