China and the Manchus

H >> Herbert A. Giles >> China and the Manchus


"I have heard that in the past many would-be deliverers of their country
have ascended this lofty mound wherein is your sepulchre. It has served
to them as a holy inspiration. As they looked down upon the surrounding
rivers and upward to the hills, under an alien sway, they wept in the
bitterness of their hearts, but to-day their sorrow is turned into joy.
The spiritual influences of your grave at Nanking have come once more
into their own. The dragon crouches in majesty as of old, and the tiger
surveys his domain and his ancient capital. Everywhere a beautiful
repose doth reign. Your legions line the approaches to the sepulchre; a
noble host stands expectant. Your people have come here to-day to inform
your Majesty of the final victory. May this lofty shrine wherein you
rest gain fresh lustre from to-day's event, and may your example inspire
your descendants in the times which are to come. Spirit! Accept this
offering!"

We are told by an eye-witness, Dr Lim Boon-keng, that when this ceremony
was over, Sun Yat-sen turned to address the assembly. "He was speechless
with emotion for a minute; then he briefly declared how, after two
hundred and sixty years, the nation had again recovered her freedom; and
now that the curse of Manchu domination was removed, the free peoples of
a united republic could pursue their rightful aspirations. Three cheers
for the president were now called for, and the appeal was responded
to vigorously. The cheering was taken up by the crowds below, and
then carried miles away by the thousands of troops, to mingle with the
booming of distant guns."




LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED

The _I yue kuo chi_ (costumes of strange nations). Circa 1380.

The _Tung hua lu_ (a history of the Manchus down to A.D. 1735). 1765.

The _Sheng wu chi_ (a history of the earlier wars under the Manchu
dynasty). 1822.

_A History of China_, by Rev. J. Macgowan, 1897.

_A History of the Manchus_, by Rev. J. Ross, 1880.

_The Chinese Repository_.

_The Chinese and their Rebellions_, by T. T. Meadows, 1856.

Pamphlets issued by the T`ai-p`ings, 1850-1864.

_The Times_, 1911-12.

_The London and China Telegraph_, 1911-12.