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Peaceful Chinese Dissent
From A Journey Through the Chinese Empire, by French missionary Evariste Regis Huc, first published in 1855.
The Chinese are not in the habit of bowing beneath the rod of their master so unresistingly as is imagined. It may indeed be said, and it is to their credit, that they are in general submissive to authority; but when it becomes too tyrannical, or merely fraudulent, they sometimes rise up with irresistible energy, and bend it to their will.
While traversing one of the western provinces, we one day reached a town of the third class, named Pingfang, where we found the whole population in commotion, and wearing a very unaccustomed aspect. We learned that the cause was as follows:
A Mandarin had been named governor of the town of whom the inhabitants did not approve. It was known that in the district he had just left his administration had been arbitrary and tyrannical, and that the people had suffered much from his injustice and extortion.
The news of this nomination to Pingfang therefore excited general indignation, which showed itself at first in the most violent satirical placards. A deputation of the chief citizens set off for the capital of the province, to present to the viceroy a humble petition to have pity on the poor people of Pingfang, and not to send them a tiger, who would eat them up, instead of a father and mother to take care of them. The petition was refused, and the Mandarin ordered to set off to take possession of his post on the following day.
The deputies returned, bringing this sad news to their fellow-citizens. The town was plunged into consternation, but did not confine itself to idle lamentations. The principal people assembled, and held a grand council, to which all the most influential citizens were invited. It was decided that the new governor should not be permitted to install himself, and that he should be civilly ejected from the town.
The Mandarin arrived at the expected time, accompanied by a numerous suite, and, contrary to expectation, he encountered not the smallest sign of opposition on his way. Every one knelt at his approach, and paid homage to his dignity. He was convinced, therefore, that his fears of a bad reception were chimerical, and that all would go well.
Scarcely had he entered the tribunal, however, before he had had time even to drink a cup of tea, it was announced to him that the chief citizens of the town requested an audience. He hastened to grant it, under the impression that they came to offer their congratulations on his safe arrival.
The deputation prostrated themselves, according to the rites, before their new prefect; then, one of them stepping forward, announced to him, with exquisite politeness and infinite grace, that they came in the name of the town, to request that the would set off directly to return whence he came, for they would have none of him.
The prefect, thus rudely disenchanted, endeavored first to soothe, and then to intimidate, the rebellious citizens, but all in vain; he found himself, as the Chinese say, “only a paper tiger.” The spokesman very calmly told him that they had not come there to discuss the matter; that the thing was settled, and they had made up their minds that he should not sleep in the town.
In order to leave him in no doubt as to their real intentions, he added that a palanquin waited before the door, and that the town would pay his traveling expenses, besides providing a brilliant escort to conduct himself safely to the capital of the province.
It would have been impossible to turn any one out more politely. The prefect still endeavored to raise objections; but a great crowd had gathered round the house, uttering cries of a far from flattering or reassuring nature, and he saw that it would be imprudent further to resist.
He yielded, therefore, to his destiny, and signified his willingness to comply with their demands. With much respect and ceremony he was shown to the door, where a handsome palanquin was in waiting, and requested to step in. The cavalcade immediately set off, still accompanied by the chief men of the town.
On reaching their destination, they went straight to the viceroy’s palace. The chief representative of Pingfang presented the prefect to the viceroy, saying:
“The citizens of Pingfang restore to you this magistrate, and humbly supplicate you to send them another; as for this one, they will not have him at any price. Behold the humble petition of your children.” Speaking thus, he handed to the viceroy a long roll of red paper, containing a petition signed with the names of all the most important people of Pingfang.
The viceroy, with some appearance of dissatisfaction, took the roll, read it attentively, and then told the deputies that their arguments were advanced on reasonable grounds, and should be attended to: that they might return home quietly, and announce to their fellow citizens that they should soon have a prefect to suit them.
It is a great mistake to fancy the Chinese hemmed in by arbitrary laws, and quailing under a despotic power, which rules their actions and dictates all their proceedings. Though an absolute monarchy, moderated, indeed, by the influence of the educated classes, the people enjoy beneath it much more liberty than is generally supposed, and possess many privileges which we might vainly seek in some countries boasting a liberal constitution.
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