The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-11-12
Confucius In Politics

~ which has been hotly waged in China over
the monarchial plan. President Yuan Shin Kai
and his supporters constantly quoting the
ancient sage. Advocates of the republic are also
using Confucius freely, and urging that the
change to monarchy would be violation Of a
Confucian oath and consequently would discredt
the teachings of the great moral leader in the
eyes of the world,
Plans are now in preparation by government
officials for the erection of great bronze statue
of Confucus in Picking. At present the ancient
sage is represented in the various temples only
by pictorial images or sacred tablets. These do
not create the vivid impression of the great teach
er which the Chinese officials desire, and the
movement is under way to place bronze statues
of him in ConfuCian temples throughout the
public
Mandates have recently been issued by Presi-
dent Yuan Shin Kai strengthening the position
Iof Confucius' teachings in Chinese schools, and
the society for the preservation of peace has con-
stantly quoted the sayings of Confucius concern
ing loyalty to the emperor in support of the resor
alton of the monarchy.
Four Confucian canonical books taught in
Chinese schoolsSGnd no students who not thor.
oughly versed in them are regarded as we'll edit
Gated. Quotations from these books, written
nearly twenty-five hundred years ago, are fire.
quently used in nearly all governmental comuni-
cations The advocates of absolute concentration
of government in emperor especially fond
of such Confucian excerpts this: ITO no one
but the supreme head of the empire does it belong
to disturb the established reg ous and social in
situations, to introduce forms of government
to change the form and use of language. At the
present day throughout the empire carriage wheels
all have the same standard form and size, ali
written is written with the same characters, and
in all the relations of life all recognize the
established principles.
| Public speeches concerning the mOnarChial
movement, letters to the newspapers and editorials
in support of the restoration of the empire are
filled with quotations concerning the five duties
of universal obligation outlined by COnfucus and
the three moral qualities by which the sage said
these duties must be carried out. The first of
these duties those between ruler and subje ct.
Next the duties between father and SON Then
the duties between husband and wife. The fourth
duties are between elder brother and younger and
the fifth duties are those in the intercourse be
tween friends Intelligence, moral character and
courage in the order narled, are the three moral
qualities upon which Confucius laid great stress.
IOf these he says: They the three universally
recognized moral qualities of men. 1t matters
not in what way men come to the exercise OF
these moral qualities, the result is and the
same
Some men are born with the knowledge OF
these moral qualities; some acquire it as the re-
suit of education; acquire it as the result OF
hard experience. But when the knowledge is &C
CURED it comes to one and the same thing. Some
exercise these moral qualities naturally and easily
some because they find it advantageous to do SO
some with effort and difficulty. But when the
achievement is made it comes to one and the same
thing"
The effort to strengthen the interest in Confu
cianism is apparent throughout the vernacuaI
press of China. Scholars urged to visit hi
tomb at Chufou, and more careful reading of his
classics is advised. Young men are told that Con
| fucius began gathering disciples around him anc
teaching the principles of good government at the
early age Of twenty-five. His services as minister
of crime reviewed. and the marvellous aboli
ton of crime under his direction is emphasized
His great success as teacher in the later year
of his life when he gathered three thousand dis
ciples around him is stressed, and readers con
, Stantly reminded Of the enduring fame of thi
f teacher who had the proper ideals of government