The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-05
Where Merit Wins.

In China, We endcavor to attain the same end
by a different road The competitive cXamna.
tions are open TO all. At the examination all
candidates stand on the same ground and have
an equal chance Of success. The son of minister
of state is accorded no more consideration than
the son Of the humblcst tiller of the soil Indeed
poor, hard'working student is more apt to pass
the examinations successfully than the luxury
loving scion of an illustrious house. In this
way certain proportion Of the ruling class OF
the land is drafted at stated intervals directly
from the people. In passing | am bound 10 say
that the educational system in vogue in China
IL not suited TO the present requirements and
should be modified, but this does not affect the
soundness Of the principle upon which the com.
pettive examination is based. It will be seen
that the government OF China is, in its essential
features, government Of the people. by the
people and for the people" well as that OF
the United States. Such a government, as Lin.
coin observes, shall not perish from the earth"
China is a living witness to the truth OF these
words.
How many nations have survived the centuries
since China emerged "a a compact nation from
the nebulous past? Only the pyramids now at.
test the magnihcence OF ancient Egypt. Ninevah
and Babylon now lie buried beneath a wide
stretch of sand and archaeologsts are still dis.
putting about their sites. The great nations OF
the present day are but creations of yesterday.
China is the only surviving representative OF an
age that is past, having witnessed the rise and
fall OF many mighty in many land Tie
United States may be considered young with its
one hundred and twenty-five years in comparison
with the long duration Of China. But as long
a. Americans remain true To the principles Of
their nations founders, as long the people
troll the government, there is no fear that this
great republic will not continue to grow stronger
and more powerful.
This is day naturally set apart for patriotic
sentiments Your invitation to me shows that
your patriotism is not OF that kind which cannot
see anything good in the people Of other lands,
and the motto OF which Isl "Our Country, Be
She Right or Wrong" This is only national sci.
fshness which often goes by the name of patriot.
ism. Ii is relic OF byGone days, when there
was comparatively little intercourse between the
people of one country and the people oi another
except that of hostile nature, and when a man
could be free TO enjoy life and liberty only in the
land Of his birth. All this is now completely
changed. Happily, we live in a more enghted
and humane age Railroads, telegraphs and news.
papers contribute directly to knit the world closer
and closer every day. Consequently, patriotism
has lost much of its former meaning We have
noble examples Of this broader and higher patriot.
ism in Lord Chatham, whose ringing denuncia.
tions Of the American war are still able TO make
the ear tingle and the blood boil and in Glad,
stone, who never failed 10 raise his voice against
barbariies in every form and whose sympathies
went out to the weak and oppressed, Irrespective
Of race or religion Let patriotism in its proper
sense be Synonymous with humanity, justice,
feelings be banished from the hearts OF civilized