The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-24

Inc censors are N a way the highest Of
Meals of the Empire, for it is their duty
TO criticize wrong doing and incompe-
tence, 90 correct abuses and recommend
reforms; their right extends even to criti-
| clzlng the throne, while their preroga-
yves include immunity from responsible
ity for their criticisms. 1t was late at
night when this band of conspiring man
darlns reached the home of DIR. Smyth
ana the Old censor carefully laid on the
table before him a formidable looking
document written on vermilion paper on
which all official communications in China
are inscribed. DR.. Smyth looked in won
| DER from one to another of the Chinese
| oHclals before him and, using the cere-
mohlal form employed on occasions OF
| import, finally said:
venerable sirs, what have I done to re-
| celVe the favor of visit from you, nv
elders brothers, to this my miserable
hut?"'
The old censor who headed the delega-
ton went straight at the matter, without
| ing:
Teacher" Rim China it is customary to
address all missionaries by this title) cit
| is at your feet that we have come to-
night to learn wisdom. The Kingdom of
the Great Pure is threatened with a re-
turn to the time of the Three Kingdoms
when the country was divided among
warning factions. The inhabitants of the
Happy Establishment Fukien) are peace
able and law abiding, but they have
heard that their territory is claimed by a
foreign power They shudder to think of
the devastation that will come upon them
should their country become a battlefield
between the armies of rival claimants to
the throne"
we have not forgotten" continued the
old censor, 1.-The bloodshed and the bar
barities of the great TAPPING rebellion
which exterminated and depopulated pro-
vinces, and we desire if it is possible, to
save the people of this district from suf-
fering in such a manner. The sons of
Ham CChinese) have from time immemo-
rial exercised the right of selecting their
own rulers, and we believe that the hap
plness and prosperity of our people will be
greater and more surely secured under the
beneticent rule of the Great America, than
1t would under that of the power which
we have heard has claimed our province
for itself Oapan). 1t is insufferable for
our people to think thai they shall be
ruled over by the miserable dwarfs Ja-
panese).
Our province is rich; the Great Ameri-
ca already comes to us for the tea leaves
that have made the hills of Bohea famous
wherever the sun shines. We believe that
your country would find a commerce rich
and profitable enough with our people to
repay it for the boon for which we now
humbly pray. Teacher, all this is written
on the vermillion scroll which we beg you
to accept from us. Do you therefore take
this our petition and present it to the ru-
Ter of your country, the President of the
Great America, and say that we beg for
an edict (proclamation) annexing this
province of the Happy Establishment
to his dominion. If this may not be,
we beg that at least he will extend his
protection over our territory and over our
miserable people who are threatened with
great sorrow and loss, unless he in his
benefcence shall condescend to save us"
When the Censo had ceased speaking
DR.. Smyth stood for a moment dumb
founded. He attempted to explain to the
assembled mandarins that such a thing
was impossible that our people would not
look with favor on such a proposition;
that the President had mo power to do
such a thing; that he was not an abso-
lutte ruler as they were, but could simply
carry out the will of the people. The Pc
titioners, however, were unconvinced, and
they insisted that DR.. Smyth should go to
Washington as their ambassador.
Teacher" said the old censor, I'VE do
not understand, but you are wise. Here
is money. Whatever you will is yours.
Go and make the prayer for us. Present
this petition to your President. You will
explain it to him and he viii understand.
He will not deny our prayer and leave
us to the mercy of those who would plum
der and destroy US"
Dr. Smyth then explained to them that
Hawaii had but recently made a similar
= GAot1 -, lie
it had been favorably received by one
President, a succeeding President (Cleve-
land had denied their prayer The GEN.
sor referred the matter to the delegation,
and they insisted that the attempt be
made. Then DR.. Smyth, who had begun
to examine the petition, called their at
tention to the fact that it lacked what to
Americans would be a prime requisite
The petition is was true was signed by
them, the leading officers and officials Of
the province, but it bore no evidence that
it expressed the will or desire of the peo-
pie over whom they ruled. Americans
would certainly not consider an offer made
by officials alone, said DR.. Smyth. unless
they were satisfied that the people them
selves desired this thing. For a moment
the mandarins were nonplussed, but when
they comprehended the American attitude
of mind they quickly accepted the i'm
piled challenge One of the younger men
spoke up saying:
"In this we are acting not for our
selves but for the people. They will be
of the same mind as we are. If it is de-
sired we will secure the names of the
people to the petition"
"And I will guarantee that we will have
the signature of every important mer-
chant and business man in the great
parts of the province" added the old CEN
sor.
"All this will take time" said DR..
Smyth, greatly relieved by the sugges-
ton which would give him opportunity
to consider the matter maturely and con-
suit with others about it If that seemed
best Take back your petition, until you
have the supplemental petition with the
signatures. Then all can be presented
together. and / will aid you to the best
of my ability and judgment"
AS the delegation was retiring after
thanking him, DR.. Smyth said:
do you not know that you are inn
perilling your lives by this course, and
that you would be beheaded If this were
known in certain quarters?"
To which the old censor replied with a
proverb which may be translated-"The
man of virtue will do the right though
his life be forfeit" and the others MUIR
INJURED their assent.
Before the circulation of the petitions
had fairly started there was so marked
a change In the aspect of affairs that the
documents were withdrawn from circula-
ton, with the understanding, however,