The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-12-14
the agitation Of the whole country is

the agitation Of the whole country il
so intense that outsiders who do moi
know the real facts of the case laugh
at it as madness. But it is not mad
ness: it cannot be that the whole ma
ton has suddenly turned mad. The
public mind, when reused, acts with
irresistible force as water does when
rushing down. Weare acting on right
principles we are driven to activity
by force of circumstance.
Some Americans may again attempt
to obtain the upper hand by arbitrary
proceedings. They may threaten >>ur
Government by raising the question
that the provisions of the Commercial
Treaty of Tientsin are being violated,
and may by that means induce our
Government to exert its powerful in
1uence on their behalf.
Well, the Commercial Treaty was
signed by our Government and not by
ourselves. The Government, in sign
ing it, did not act as a broker in a
commercial transactions where there is
profit to be made. Even assuming
that the Government did sign as a
broker, it cannot be held to have
guaranteed (by its signature) the con-
sumption of any commodity.
The only object and effect of the
treaty were that the two nations, be-
ing on friendly terms, were DESTROYS
of enjoying mutual benefits and hoped
that by means of the treaty goods
might be sent from one country to the
other and sold without difficulty.
All. nations are fond of wealth and
power. There is no country in which
the Government does not wish for a
fiourishing commerce and an increase
in the receipt of custom dues. But
then the people have their rights and
privileges, and the Government can
not interfere with these by force. We
are followers of Confucius and Men
cius, whose teachings inculcate tie
principles of personal liberty-a fact
which must have long been known to
foreign countries.
When we desire to carry out GER
tain policy which is likely to cause
great hardships on some one whether
it be nation or several nations, of
one person or several persons), we
must first consult our conscience and as
certain beforehand whether the other
people will be as we'll satisfied with
it as ourselves. So every great nation
when about to initiate any policy
should do the same at the outset. The
labour union in Aemerica has recently
acquired enormous influence and has
frequently enforced numerous de-
mands by extensive strikes. Now we
should like to know wheher the Amer
lean authorities can or will interfe re
with the liberty of action of labour UNI
ions If not, then it is clear that the
liberty of American citizens cannot be
interfered with, therefore the liberty
of our fellow subjects also cannot be
interfered with.
The rise or decline of a nation OF
family is dependent on its observance
or otherwise of the principles of right
and justice. This age has been called
an age of struggles for power anc
wealth. In spite of that statement,
we are assured that should the Govern.
ment of America insist on having this
treaty for the protection of her suppos.
ed interests, her people would not al.
low their Government to resort to ex.
IRENE and warlike measures in order
to secure diplomatic triumph and tt
compel the signing of the treaty (by
our Governent).
America has hitherto been known a.
an enlightened country and many o.
her people are intelligent men. W.
cannot believe that they will do t,
others what they would not like don,
to themselves, thus violating the prin
ciples formerly maintained by Wash
ington. But if they do, and treat u
in way contrary to the principle
of right and justice while we ar
dealing with others in the fairest man
ner possible, we are confident that w
shall have the sympathy of all right
thinking men in the world. A man o
principle would rather suffer dealt
than humiliation. Fair play will al
ways command the appreciation of al
men. Who will say, then, that ma
should not support the boycott volun
tarily, and what doubt can there b
as to the justice of it?. Yours, etc.
.s...s. ...ep A Chiinaman.
Hongkong, November l., 1905.