The Fight for the Republic in ChinaPutnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
History
The Fight for the Republic in China
Putnam Weale, B. L. (Bertram Lenox)
China -- History -- Republic, 1912-1949; China -- Politics and government
A copy of Yang Tu's pamphlet, "Constitutional Monarchy or the
Salvation of China" reached me after I had finished writing the
above discussion. On a casual glance through it I alighted upon the
following passage: "What is known as a constitutional country is a
country which has definite laws and in which no one, from the ruler
down to the common people, can take any action that is not permitted
by law. Good men cannot do good outside of the bounds of law;
neither can bad men do evil in violation of it." This is indeed a
passage that breathes the very spirit of constitutionalism. Let us
ask Mr. Yang if the activities of the Chou An Hui, of which he is
the President, are acts within the bounds of law? Mr. Yang is a good
man. It is therefore possible for him to believe that he is not
doing evil in violation of the law; but has he not at least been
doing good outside of the bounds of law? If an advocate of
constitutional monarchy is capable of doing such unlawful acts, we
may easily imagine what sort of a constitutional monarchy he
advocates; and we may also easily imagine what the fate of his
constitutional monarchy will be.
Mencius says, "Am I argumentative? I cannot help it." Who would have
thought that a man, who cares not for the question of the form of
state like myself and who opposed you--Mr. Yang Tu--during your
first campaign for the change in the form of State--you were a
Republican then--would be opposing you again now that you are
engaged in advocating another change in the form of state? A change
in the form of government is a manifestation of progress while a
change in the status of the State is a sign of revolution. The path
of progress leads to further progress, but the path of revolution
leads to more revolution. This is a fact proved by theory as well as
actual experience. Therefore a man who has any love for his country,
is afraid to mention revolution; and as for myself I am always
opposed to revolution. I am now opposing your theory of monarchical
revolution, just as I once opposed your theory of republican
revolution, in the same spirit, and I am doing the same duty. My
belief is that since the country is now in a most weakened state, we
may yet fail even if we do all we can at all times to nurse its
wound and gather up its scattered strength. How can any one devote
his time and energy to the discussion of a question of no importance
such as the form of state, and so obstruct the progress of the
administration? But this is not all. The whole country is now
stirred up to an excited state and is wondering how long this
ever-changing situation is going to stop. The loss caused by this
state of affairs, though unnoticed, is incalculable. In the Odes,
it is written "Alas! my brethren. Befriended of the countrymen. No
one wants rebellion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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