A CHINESE “PATRIOT.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2666, 23 November 1909, Page 2

A CHINESE “PATRIOT.”

THE TESTA AIENT OF YUNG LING

The Louden “Times” 1 contains a { translation of a very remarkable Chinese document. This is the testament of Yung Lin, a Mahc'hu official of subordinate (position, who being unable to present in person a petition to the Regent dealing with the urgent need for reform, sent it to the press before committing suicide. The gist of liis protest is that China is being ruined by incompetent, venal-, and extortionate officials. Yung Liruurges that “literary ability should be made the essential standard for encouraging talent,” and that “meretricious pomp should be discouraged, and military efficiency made the essential for developing a national army. . . . The standard of

officials’ morals' should be raised by decapitating greedy sycophants.” After, quoting the Chinese proverb, “Kindness without severity results in aggression from abroad; - severity without kindness results in rebellion at home,” Yung Lin observes that his remarks “represent a fool’s single successful .inspiration, and are _ hot the dolorous complainings of fancied disease.” AVhile grateful for the Imperial bounty granted to himself and ‘liis fob-dears, the perils of the hour and grief for what he cannot alter have driven him to suicide, as his remonstrance would have been punished by 'imprisonment, which his constitution was not strong enough to bear. Yet by a .strange irony, an Imperial Edict has conferred (posthumous honors on Yung Lin for “sacrificing liis life in order, to display lUs patriotism.” ' 1