The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-13
A CHINAMAN,S VIEW.
Minister Wu Pays q Splendid Tribute
to Lincoln's Memory.


New York. Feb. 1s--AIinister WI TiH:s
Fang in the course of his address before
the Union League, Brooklyn, said:
ITO the world at large Abraham Lin
coin will ever be known and honored as
the indicator Of human rights, who. by
a stroke OF the pen. carried into effect
the fundamental principle of government
that all men are created equal.
but the one event of that stirring
period, which transcribed all others in
Importance and in human interest Is
doubtless the issuing Of the enanclpa-
ton proclamation This was the crown
ing act OF Lincoln's life, one for whica
the peoples of the earth, irrespective Of
race, nationality and religion viii honor
him and revere his name to the end Or
time 1t may now seem strange that IN
his day and generation many good and
honest men questioned the wisdom Of his
policy
Nothing shows more conclusively the
greatness Of Lincoln than his selection
OF men, for important posts of govern
ment-
The appointment OF Arson Burlin-
game to be United States minister to
China, was a signal instance Of this For
seven years this eminent man resided IL.
the Chinese capital as the American req
resentative, discharging the duties of has
important post with consummate ability
and tact.
He not only looked after the interes+ 5
of his country during that long period 10
the entire satisfaction OF the government
and people he represented, but he d q
more than thls-he succeeded in winning
at the same time the respect and conf
dent of the Chinese officials with whom
he came in contact, by his inVar1abie
WHEN he was about to return to the
United States the Chinese government
intrusted him with a diplomatic mission
to the powers of Europe and America.
Thus he went to China as Americas
representative and came back to Amer-
lea as China'S spokesman. One Of the
most important results Of his mission
was the signing of a. treaty between Chi
ma and America, which has since boz re
his name. This treaty has done more
thar. anything else to leave in the Chi
nese mind an ineffaceable impression of
the just and fair attitude of the United
Sta IS towards China.
Let me quote one or two clauses from
this important and interesting docu-
ment:
The Emperor of China and the Uni
ted States of America officially recognize
the inherent and inalienable right of
man to change his home and allegiance
ana also the mutual advantage Of the
free immigration and emigration of their
subjects and citizens, respectively from
the one country to the other for the pur-
pose of curiosity or trade, or as perna :
nent residents. The high contracting
parties therefore join in reprobating any
ton for these purposes.
They consequently agree to pass laws
making it penal offense for a Chinese
subject or a citizen of the United States
to take citizens of the United States
either to China or any other foreign
country or for a citizen of the United
States or a Chinese subject to take
Chinese subjects to the United States or
any other foreign country without their
free and voluntary consent.
Chinese subjects visiting or residing
in the United States shall enjoy the
same privileges and immunities or ex-
captions in regard to travel or residence
as may there be enjoyed by the subjects
or citizens of the most favored nation.
and reciprocally, citizens of the United
States visiting or residing in CHINA
shall enjoy the same privileges, immuni-
ties or exceptions in respect to travel or
residence as may be enjoyed by the most
favored nation
"Such was the friendly spirit which
animated the two nations at that time.
The signing of the Buriingame treaty
was the first attempt on the part of a
western power to apply the principle of
reciprocity in dealing with the govern
ment and people of China.
Missionaries are reported to have
said that the name American has often
proved to be a veritable Aegis to them
in time of popular excitement. Though
the Burlingame treaty was enacted
three years after Lincoln's death, every
line of it is in perfect accord with his
enlightened and humane policy
ITO Lincoln may be applied the words
the Chinese historian applied to the
Incompatible YaO, greatest of the early
rulers of China. Thus it is written
His benevolence was boundless, his
wisdom was profound. To any one ap-
preaching him he had the genial warmth
of the sun-when viewed at a distance