As to Portugal it is true that the change from the monarchy to republic has not stopped internal disturbance; but is it not a fact that Portugal became a republic as a result of internal disturbance and was it not during the existence of the monarch that the disturbance started?  It is ridiculous to suppose that a republic will surely court disturbance while a monarchy will surely ensure peace and order.  Is not Persia a monarchy?  Is not Turkey a monarchy?  Is not Russia a monarchy?

    Read their history in recent decades and see how many years of peace
    they have had.  There have been no election of presidents in these
    countries.  Why then such unrest?

Again, why was the state of affairs during the Sixteen States of the Five Dynasty-Period and the Ten States of the Five Successions as deplorably miserable and disastrous as the state of affairs now prevailing in Mexico, although there was no election of Presidents then?  In quoting objective facts as illustrations the critic should not allow his choice to be dictated by his personal like or dislike.  Otherwise he will not be deceiving others than himself.  Soberly speaking, any form of state is capable of either ensuring a successful government or causing rebellion.  And nine cases out of ten the cause of rebellion lies in the conditions of the administration and not in the form of state.  It cannot be denied, however, that the chances of rebellion and dissension are more frequent and easier when the form of state does not suit the conditions of the people.  That is why I did not advocate republicanism; and even now I am not a blind believer in republicanism.  In this I agree with you, the Chou An Hui people.

The reason why I have not decided to advocate boldly a change in the form of state is because for years my heart has been burdened with an unspeakable sorrow and pain, believing that ever since the mistake made in 1911 the hope for China’s future has dwindled to almost nothing.  On one hand I have been troubled with our inability to make the Republic a success, and on the other I have been worrying over the fact that it would be impossible to restore the monarchy.  The situation has so worked on my troubled mind that at times I seemed to be beside myself.  But as the whole country seemed to be already in a state of desperation I have come to the conclusion that it would not do any good to add pain to sorrow.  Therefore, instead of uttering pessimistic views I have been speaking words of encouragement to raise our spirits.  In this, however, I have exhausted my own strength.  My friend, Mr. Hsu Fo-su, told me some five or six years ago that it was impossible for China to escape a revolution, and as a result of the revolution could not escape from becoming a republic, and by becoming a republic China would be bound to disappear as a nation.  I have been meditating on these words of ill-omen and sought to help the country to escape from his prediction but I have not yet found the way.

    VIII.  “DIVINITY DOTH HEDGE A KING”