Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1895 — As to the Future of China. [ARTICLE]

As to the Future of China.

The Chinese have a grand old literature and philosophic books by the side of which Plato and the Memorabillia of Socrates and Christ seem mere brochures. The Chinese are essentially a literary and aesthetic people, although they, too, can boast of many campaigns and architectural monuments. Their public buildings in brick are few, but those in mud still fill us with admiration. Their traditions are wholly opposed to ours. Their traditions are very old, very theoretical. Barbarous traditions grown up In the rough practice of life are more easily displaced than those which have their roots Imbedded in an ancient but ever green philosophical literature. But when the public examinations, on which success in life depends, shall cease, no matter by what blow, to confine themselves to Chinese classics alone, then gentleman John will become as laborious, docile and enterprising in modern war and finance and policy and military and Industrial methods and training, as humble coolie John already is in shopkeeping in San Francisco and Australia and the Straits Then we shall have to look out