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.

IX.  “Divinity doth Hedge A king”

Now my friends, you have stated in a worthy manner the reasons why the republican form of state cannot assist China to maintain her existence; now let me state why it is impossible to restore the monarchical system.  The maintenance of the dignity of a monarch depends on a sort of mystical, historical, traditional influence or belief.  Such an influence was capable of producing unconsciously and spontaneously a kind of effect to assist directly or indirectly in maintaining order and imparting blessing to the country.  In this lies the value of a monarchy.  But dignity is a thing not to be trifled with.  Once it is trodden down it can never rise again.  We carve wood or mould clay into the image of a person and call it a god (idol).  Place it in a beautiful temple, and seat it in a glorious shrine and the people will worship it and find it miraculously potent.  But suppose some insane person should pull it down, tread it under foot and throw it into a dirty pond and suppose some one should discover it and carry it back to its original sacred abode, you will find the charm has gone from it.  Ever since the days of monarchical government the people have looked on the monarch with a sort of divine reverence, and never dared to question or criticize his position.  After a period of republicanism, however, this attitude on the part of the common people has been abruptly terminated with no possibility of resurrection.  A survey of all the republics of the world will tell us that although a large number of them suffered under republican rule, not a single one succeeded in shaking itself free of the republican fetters.  Among