19th March.
Tae Reform Club, born at Peking a few months ago -under such favourable influences, "born in the purple" so to speak, was scarcely introduced to this cold and heartless world before the jealous Herods of mandarindom began to seek its life. 'I'heir craft was indeed in danger and they managed to secure -an Imperial edict which has driven the young infant into hiding. He is not dead, however, and shall yet grow to manhood. His followers will not lose hope; you might aswell try to dam the Yangtzewith an Imperial edict as to hinder the eventual triumph of reform by such a measure. We may besure, though, that the present corrupt and oppressive system of government is not to be overthrown without'a struggle, "An old custom can't be broken," is a Chinese proverb which finds confirmation in the desperate resistance now offered to these praiseworthy attempts to improve a most distressing condition of affairs. It is just what ought to have been expected. Not all Chinamen are lacking in patriotism, but even those who are most sincere in their expressed desire for the prosperity of their country, realise that the regeneration of China is a Herculean t In conversation a few days ago with a Chinese gentleman of official position, one who has travelled abroad and is favourable to Western innovations, the writer was told that the task undertaken by the Reform Club was impossible that the "Sqneeze" system was so strongly intrenched that any improvement was out of the question. "We might," he said, "have a change of plunderers but no relief from plandering." There isno doubt that thesis the sore spot in the Chinese body politic; the chief source of her weakness and disgrace. Ignorance, superstition, con-servetism, hatred of foreigners, these are serious faults, but a nation might survive these if only her government were pure and just. There is encouragement, however, in the fact that the Chinese recognise this fault and confess This is the first step toward reform. China indeed has not wanted many noble teachers who have rebuked this vice in the severest terms, who have protested against the "sacrifice of the public weal to private interests," and condemned those who "cast aside the laws and accept bribes." " Oppressive government," said Confucius, "is more terrible than tigers." T'he difficulty in all lands, however, is in getting people to live up to their convictions.
China's cotidition is indees serious, but cat utterly hopeless, The history a of Western nations teaches us that our own governments two hundred years ago were but little, if any, superior to that which rules the unhappy Chinaman to-day. We have only to recall the corruption of the Stuarts in England and the Bourbons in France in illustration. Even to-day we are not entirely free from this evil. 'I'he Wilson scandal of a few years ago in Paris, the recent disclosures of systematic bribery and blackmail in New York, and the notorious sale of public franchise by the Common Council of Chicago show that even Christendom, is not yet free from the taint of the "squeeze" system. But the fact that such exposures are rare in the West.and that, when made, they excite universal indignation and cover with infamy the names of those who thus abuse public confidence, proves that on the whole we have a healthy public sentiment and honest governments, These blessings, however, have been enjoyed for less than two hundred years. fo what influences ought we to ascribe them? To our superior ethical teaching? This has no doubt done much for us. But China has not lacked lofty teaching with respect to public and private morals. The difference in honesty and efficiency between the public service of China and that of England is far greater than would be warranted by the difference in moral standards. Moreover, for centuries before governmental reform took place in Europe, the people of Europe acknowledged the same moral standard with the same religions sanctions as to-day. We must not deny to the Charch with her generous and widespread dissemination of moral truth all the ered she deserves for the civilisation Europe, but good teach' secure goad government. As Mencius says: "Laws alone cannot carry themselves into practice." There area number of causes that have combined together to secure for us the gond government on which we justly pride ourselves, Chief of these perhaps is the recognition of popular rights leading to represen! tive government. Consequent upon t and necessary to its efficiency came general education. Besides these we must mention a free Press to criticise governmental administration and give publicity to all matters of general interest, and lastly, through not least in importance, religious liberty, which has guaranteed to every man perfect freedom of conscience and put an end to sectarian strife. There is no reason why similar institutions should not do for China what they have done for Europe.
Mach stress is laid just now upon the importance of railways and foreign machinery; the need of a well-armed and well-disciplined army navy, and the advantages of schools for the teaching of Western science, and there can be no doubt that are important. But China.
y wasted hundreds of millions ying to organise a respectable navy and army and when they were required they proved worthless. She has also for many years maintained several schools for the teaching of Western science, though in some but little science has been learned. The truth is that the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.