68 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



of religious superstition. Nor are there present in the Chinaman of 

 to-day any elements which could produce that strong form of govern- 

 ment which must ever mount guard, when a people are passing 

 through that transition stage which ever precedes intellectual and 

 political advancement. 



The second and more probable line of readjustment lies along 

 the path of foreign influence. This may come in either of two ways, 

 military conquest or a political protectorate. Perhaps no greater 

 calamity could overtake such a nation as the Chinese than the former 

 of these. To a nation so peaceable, and so dependent for inspiration 

 on their social and politico-religious environment, military conquest 

 could result only in a reduction of the people to the lowest depths 

 of slavery and barbarism. All things, therefore, point to a political 

 protectorate as the line of least resistance for national readjustment. 

 But even a protectorate to be effective must fulfil certain conditions. 

 It must be exercised by a nation strong and patient ; strong to hold 

 in due check all these impulses which are at all times Hable to burst 

 forth when a nation is passing through a reorganizing crisis ; and 

 patient to allow a less gifted people time to advance themselves to a 

 higher intellectual and moral level. Such a protectorate could be 

 successfully exercised only by a nation which is able to separate 

 political government from religion ; for only in this way could the 

 stability of the governing body be proof against the violent upheavals 

 of a reconstruction period. 



Among the ruling powers of the earth, one people alone possesses 

 the moral force and judicious administrative aptitude to stand guard 

 over the destinies of a nation during such a period. To the British 

 people has fallen the destiny of conserving and bearing on the torch 

 of civilization, which though flickering at times is yet destined to 

 illuminate the earth. Already by her conduct in India, in Egypt 

 and elsewhere, she has proven herself true to her destiny, nor will 

 she here be found wanting when the hour for action shall have 

 arrived. But, it may be asked, will Europe allow this work to go 

 on ? But here let us not forget that a second Britain has arisen 

 beyond the sea, and however much America may delude herself, at 

 present with a supposed non-interference policy in international 

 affairs, and a distrust of the British policy, to me, at least, it seems 

 impossible that, when the days of her national maturity have fully 



