The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-24

ueSluS Ut Tue IOOC Oh the LADDER and be-
comes in turn prison inspector, coro-
ner, sheriff, literary examiner, judge,
magistrate and so on up to governor
or minister, swinging around the
circle career which recalls Andy
Johnson's famous boast.
With truth the imperial government
Of China has been likened to pear,
rotten at the core and denounced as a
sham. 1t rests upon a fiction, bolstered
up by superstition. The emperor is
the son of heaven, and all the people
are his children. Filial devotion being
the groundwork of Chinese social
structure, the emperor is an object of
reverence. For this reason, even in
the classic land of revolution, rebel
lions against the crown have been
rare. The leaders of rebellions wisely
direct their weapons against some
wrong which 1t is supposed the emper-
or cannot stamp out. Thus the Box
ers' rise against foreigners. They
would obey the edicts from feking
to dispense did they really believe
these emanated from the legitimate
throne in good faith.
The throne is afraid Of the masses,
afraid of irritating them, afraid Of
public opinion. Once the incumbent
of the throne is discounted by the
masses they rally Loyalty to strong
spretender or usurper. The Chinese
are bound by sentiment, but by senti-
ment having practical bearings. 1t is
not the foreigner per Sc to which they
object, but the antagonism of the for
elgner to Chinese ways and institu-
lions. They love the foreigners mon
ey, but resent his aggressiveness. Lo-
cally the Chinese are clannish and mar
row, but in their hatred of the foreign
er they stand together as race.
It the United States government had
remained as weak as 1t was 40 years
ago. In the days Of state rights, bitter
partisanship and sectionalism, the Ia
Dor organizations would have gained
the upper hand long ago. China is
now in that state. with powerful secret
organizations, guilds and unions, in
volving all ranks of society. Given a,
common cause and a fanatical impulse,
the masses can control, peaceably or
forcibly.
Force is the Chinaman's last resort
to right public wrong. Perhaps for
that very reason 1t is uncomfortable
and cruel when invoked. Being an un-
accustomed weapon, there are no rules
to govern 1t as among people who train
themselves to its use. When Chinese
magistrate imposes an unpopular vet
legal tax upon an article Of merchan-
disc, the guilds engaged in that trade
wait upon him with expostulations,
and II all arguments fail and the edict
goes forth they shut up shop, thus in
volving the whole community in the
quarrel. In the end the magistrate
must yield, otherwise the case would
be carried up and up until it reached
the emperor, who would dismiss and
degrade the official for distressing the
people. Taxpayers must eat, drink
and be clothed and have their tobacco
rations regularly.
In the eyes of a westerner the Chi
nese system Of national government
appears to be gigantic machine for
oppression and robbery. Owing to the
system it would degenerate into that
but for the check placed upon greed by
public opinion. The chief source Of an
officials income in China is what are
known here as perquisites. The sala-
ries are small and not intended to sup
port official dignity, and the deficit is
made up by exactions from the people,
just as an increase Of salary would add
to the public burden.
The people expect to be overtaxed,
going upon the principle of live and
let live" But there is a customary
percentage of increase, and the official
who goes beyond that is an extortioner.
A candidate for vacancy may impov-
erish himself while studying and wait
ing for office, but when it comes there
is no patronage attached, and his only
means of reimbursement is by taking
share of the money which passes
through his hands. In Russia it is con-
sidered the thing to take money out OF
the public treasury by hook or crook
The government is goose to be pluck
ed. In China the government has no
national treasury to be looted, and the
people are the victims Yet every fam
lily of any consequence has representa-
laF