The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21
Editor Messenger:

Editor Messenger:
Your editorial on Chinese Educa-
ton in yesterdays Messenger IS un-
satisfactory. and your authorities .eass
US in doubt Rightly understood. now
ever, there is no serious disagreement.
Years ago / read what Draper tintei-
lectual Development OF EuroPe1 safd
OF education in China, n L think you
would do Your readers a service 10
quote his statements. especially IN
view OF the present apparent AWAKEN
ing on the subject in North Carolina
/ cop for you. as you may not have
n book at hand.
Having ventured the proposition
(yol. =. r. $3.50 that Europe is now en-
tering on its mature phase Of life. and
that each OF the nations will attempt
its " intellectual organization. which
il viii accomplish more or less perfect
~. as certainly a. bees build combs
and fiji them with honey. he says:
Their are historical Illustrations
which throw light upon the working OF
these principles. Thus. centuries ago.
China entered or her Age OF Reason.
and instinctively commenced the oper-
alton OF mental organization. What
is il that has given 10 her wonderful
longevity? What is il that ENSURES
the weil-being. the prosperity OF n pop
ulation OF three hundred n sixty mill
lions-more han one fourth OF the ha-
man aeon n surface not by any
means as large as Europe? Not geo
graphical position; for. though the
country may in former ages have been
safe on the east by reason OF the sea,
il has been invaded and conquered
from the west. Not a docility. want
OF spirit, or submiSsiveness OF the peo-
pie. for there have been bloody insur-
rections. The Chinese empire extends
through twenty degrees OF latitude:
the mean annua temperature OF its
northern provinces differs from that
Of the southern by twenty
five Fahrenheit degrees. Hence with
a wonderful variety in its vege-
tat!sn. there must be great differences
in the types OF men inhabiting II. But
the principle that lies at the basis OF
its political system has confronted sue
cessfully all these human varieties. and
has outlived all revolutions
The organization OF the national IN
tellect is that principle. 4 broad foun-
dation is laid in universal education.
Il is intended that every Chinese shall
know how to read and write. The
special plan then adopted is that of
competitive examinations. The way 10
public advancement is open 10 all.
Merit, rea or supposed, is the only
passport TO office. Its degree deter
mines exclusively social rank. The
government is organized On mental
qualifications. The imperial constitu-
| ton (Alden's Cyclopedia says: The
emperor claims no hereditary divine
right, and is not always the eldest son
OF the preceding monarch; the ablest
son is nominated, but his right 10 the
throne can be established only
by good government. in accordance
with the principles laid down in the
national sacred books") lis initiated
in those OF the provinces. Once in three
years public examinations are held in
each district or county. with a view
of ascertaining those who are fit for
office. The bachelors, or those wae
are successful, are ~triennially sent for
renewed examination in the provincial
capital. The licentiates
thus sifted out now offer themselves
for final examination before the imper-
ial board at Pekin. Suitable candi-
dates for vacant posts are thus select
ed.
The political system approaches 10
an agreement with that physiological
condition which guides all social devel-
opment. The intention is to give a
dominating control TO intellect.
ITO the practical eye of Europe a
political system thus founded on a
literary basis p to me an absur-
dity; but we must look with respect on
anything that one-fourth of mankind
have concluded il best to do. especially
since they have consistently adhered
to it for several thousand years"
But we must not make the mistake
of supposing that ability 10 read and
write implies what we call education
or enlightenment-a mistake which
perhaps leads to confusion OF thought
when we ak about education in some
of our states which boast Of their
school systems. Alden's Cyclopedia
says: o the grand modern discov-
cries in the physical sciences the Chi
nese are profoundly ignorant. and the
study of nature is altogether neglect
ed. The Chinaman objects TO be wiser
h his forefathers, but spends A life
time in studying his classical literature
and the sages of antiquity, etc. Again
ii says: Education, as the high road
to official employment. to rank. wealth.
and influence. is eagely sought by all
classes. Literary proficiency commands
everywhere respect and consideration.
and primary instruction penetrates TO
the remotest villages. Self-supporting
day schools are universal throughout
the country Government
provides state examiners but does not
otherwise assist in the education Of
the people"
Yours very truly,
%. T.. GARDY.
;. Turkey, N. c.. August Is, 1900.