Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-20
FROM 4 PEOPLES HEART.

From the preference of the peoples heart, the
will of heaven is discerned."
So runs the sovereign edict by which the Man
chu dynasty has fallen and the Chinese Republic has
arisen to its seat among the nations. Confueius
himself never uttered graceful or wiser
saying In theory, at least the Manchu emperor has
always ruled by the sufferance of his subjects; in
effect he has ruled not at ALL but has been the
automatum by which great cabal has wrung
tribute from the people In their local and provin-
ciaI AFFAIRS the Chinese have shown instinct
for selfgoYernment. 1t was, after ALL no miracle
that when duly awakened, they should have striven
for something like self-governmenS in national
affairs At heart, indeed, they have been more in
herently democratic than signs would indicate
Through the stirring events of recent weeks they
have but made their hearts preference discernible
Certain it is that people wholly oblivious to the
ideals Of free government could never have accom-
plished within so brief time such revolution
has come to pass. This transformation has devel
oped within less than score of years. 1t was not
until 1898 that the reform movement definitely be-
gan At that time the royal household pledged
itself to establish a constitutional government
within nine years. the avowed purpose being to let
the changes in gradual sequence. In 1909
the first provincial assembly met year later there
was formed an imperial senate, which to be fol-
lowed by lower legislative chamber. Some twelve
months ago the throne broke its pledge by appoint
ing members Of the executive council seven royal
princes, or Manchus, and only five Chinese This
breach of good faith of the sparks that set
the revolution roaring
In many of it's stages the recent war has been
cruel and costly but it has been remarkably BRIEF
and for their part the revolutionsts displayed
admirable foresight By scrupulously respecting the
lives and interests Of foreigners, they avoided out
side interference They showed themselves good
fnanciers and diplomats as well as lighters, and in
the hour of triumph their leaders held exutaton in
leash and were moderate, if not even generous, to
their old rulers.
Such conduct augurs well for the new govern
ment 1t is not to be expected however that re-
public in the broader Of the term will be firmly
established for months years. Free govern
ment is more a condition than a theory; blessing
to be striven for rather than plan to be mapped
out Young China will encounter many trials and
back-sets, and frequently, doubt, will tax the
patience of the older nations. vast deal depends
on the sympathy and forbearance of the foreign
powers If they are to seize the first pretext for
doom of the new republic is already written. But it,
in the true spirit of twentieth century civilization
they will aid this awakened people in their struggle
for representative government and real progress,
the outlook will grow continually brighter.
1t is gratifying to know that the United States
has taken the diplomatic lead in an effort to protect
China against foreign aggressions and greed It is
to be hoped that the enlightened policy advanced by
our own State Department will enlist the support of
the other world powers in order that Young China
may be free to work ont its own destiny.