Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-10-13
Ii HUNG CHANG

is to be partitioned and that the vast
empire of the orient is nearing its end.
If this should be conceded there could
he no doubt that this republic might,
in the immediate future, be confronted
with the problems and responsibilities
which are so clearly set forth in va
Iious state papers.
But Is China to be partitioned? do
not believe it. OF course, surface indi-
cations are such that almost every
Eody believes that the nations of Eu-
rope wi!l accomplish their unconcealed
purpose Men skilled in statecraft do
rot all concede this proposition. In
ternaticnal lawyers who are most ia
miiar with Chinese history-and but
few men know Chinese history as 1t
really is-believe that the European
nations who are building warships,
maintaining armies, making demon
strations, filling their souls with hopes
Of the glory and prosperity of con-
quest, will yet beat out their own
lives against the invisible Chinese wall
of reserved force, and all of their
dreams become mere "crownless met
aphors of empire"
1t is true that China is giving up
Eorts and granting concessions of
land; but these are merely fringes of
her possessions, and in parting with
them China sustains no loss. Her
statesmen see other nations building
fortifications, going to great expense
in the furtherance of their ambitions,
Gnd her statesmen simply smile at the
folly of these children from Europe
gamboling along the Chinese coasts.
We must remember that Ii Hung
Chang is one of the greatest of states
men; and remember also that he is not
the only great man within the Chinese
empire who is capable of directing the
forces which have made the vast en-
Pire coherent for so many centuries.
The statesmen of China know how
70 lead the people of their empire, and
they know that the people of China
prefer peace to all other blessings of
human existence. They will not 60 to
war if they can avoid it. They have
avoided war, and they will always
avoid war. They will foil of trouble
IL every conceivable manner. But II
the integrity of the empire should ever
lie really threatened and the homes of
the common people invaded the tide
e Chinese resentment and resistance
would sweep before it all of the armies
Of Europe, even If they were allied.
Modern navies could not be reck-
uned In such a war The people OF
China, the military men and states
men OF China, would not go beyond
their borders. They would not cen.
quest. They would simply preserve
their imperial integrity, and make the
world for centuries afterwaTd hesitate
ito ope
The purple testament Of bleeding War"
1t will be well for us to remember
that the statesmen Of China have
viewed the rise and fall of Alexander
Cyrus, Moses. Mohammed. Caesar anC
} Napoleon. They have known Of th'
wisdom of Solomon, the history o
Nebuch5dnczzer the glory Of Belshaz
zar, have witnessed the growth Of III,
realm Of the Prince Of Peace from tn,
appearance Of the Star Of Bethlehem
10 the coming Of missionaries 10 urg'
upon them a religion better than the
Of Conrucius. They calmly witnes
these comiugs and goings Of nations
Kingdoms, empires; and contentedl.
they live. secluded by their great wal
taking no part IN the unrest and uE
heavals OF petty ambitions.
While living in peaceful isolation
they are not unprogressiye. They ar
conscious Of their tremendous reserv
force. ne know not what their az
] tisaus are doing, away Of in The n