the people.  In ancient times this would have been a day for the Imperial Court to remove their ornaments and live in humiliation.  What do the people of our day mean by advising and urging the President to ascend the throne?  To pluck the fruit before it is ripe, injures the roots of the tree; and to force the premature birth of a child kills the mother.  If the last “ray of hope” for China should be extinguished by the failure of a premature attempt to force matters, how could the advocates of such a premature attempt excuse themselves before the whole country?  Let the members of the Chou An Hui meditate on this point.

The Odes say, “The people are tired.  Let them have a respite.”  In less than four years’ time from the 8th moon of the year Hsin Hai we have had many changes.  Like a bolt from the blue we had the Manchu Constitution, then “the Republic of Five Races,” then the Provisional President, then the formal Presidency, then the Provisional Constitution was promulgated, then it was suddenly amended, suddenly the National Assembly was convoked, suddenly it was dissolved, suddenly we had a Cabinet System, suddenly it was changed to a Presidential System, suddenly it was a short-term Presidency, suddenly it was a life-term Presidency, suddenly the Provisional Constitution was temporarily placed in a legal position as a Permanent Constitution, suddenly the drafting of the Permanent Constitution was pressed.  Generally speaking the average life of each new system has been less than six months, after which a new system quite contrary to the last succeeded it.  Thus the whole country has been at a loss to know where it stood and how to act; and thus the dignity and credit of the Government in the eyes of the people have been lowered down to the dust.  There are many subjects respecting internal and diplomatic affairs which we can profitably discuss.  If you wish to serve the country in a patriotic way you have many ways to do so.  Why stir the peaceful water and create a sea of troubles by your vain attempt to excite the people and sow seeds of discord for the State?

    X. THE ASSEVERATIONS OF THE PRESIDENT

One or two points more, and I am finished.  These will be in the nature of a straight talk to the Chou An Hui.  The question I would ask in plain words is, who is the person you have in your mind as the future Emperor?  Do you wish to select a person other than the Great President?  You know only too well that the moment the President relieves his shoulder of the burdens of State the country will be thrown into confusion.  If you entertain this plot with the deliberation of a person bent upon the destruction of the country, then the four hundred million of people will not excuse you.

Is the man you have in mind the present President?  Heaven and earth as well as all living creatures in China and other lands know what the President swore to when he took the oath of