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Quotations
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| Today, November 23, is the first anniversary of my return. Though my age is beyond seventy, though my nerves are worn out, though my blood is failing, yet I feel everything, unless I were a stone. But as I have not been able to fulfill any of the kind requests of my dear countrymen, I cannot conscientiously permit myself to sit down on this day, in this land, and under these circumstances, to make any uneasy statements, or to make any speeches, without becoming the object of ridicule.
Therefore, I planned to spend the day in reflection and silence, but unexpectedly, I was asked to write a sentence to honor the first anniversary of the Seoul Shinmun. The request came before I had even unpacked after returning from Ganghwa, so it's quite an ordeal for me, who's only a poor writer. However, I picked up the brush, hoping to release at least one corner of my heart, which I had freed by an excuse of a feast from others. It is unexpected by nature, and I can only write in an unprepared and disorderly manner. There will be many errors, but I hope you will read only my honesty with warm understanding. There is something that not only disturbs me at any time, but also chills me and makes my heart ache, and that is the sound of 'worse than the time of Japanese occupation'. I began to hear this when I arrived in Korea, and it seems to be everywhere these days. We need to examine the conscience of the people who say this, but we cannot ignore the fact that it is happening, so we are discussing the reality as it is. It is true that material benefits will be extremely meager for those of us who have been in the midst of war for a long time and have suffered further destruction at the same time as the retreat of the enemy. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to say that 'worse than the time of Japanese occupation'. However, in spirit, we should be able to receive infinite consolation, which is not the case. Of course, it is difficult to have no mental pain when material benefits are lacking, but that is also a problem. Indeed, on this day, we are not auspicious when we cry, and there is nothing pleasant when we laugh. The people who have the duty and ability to improve this contradictory phenomenon are, of course, the politicians. Among them, the ones who bear the greatest responsibility are the Korean officials, no matter how you look at it. However, we should not forget that we are also responsible for ourselves. Behold, political organizations continue to manufacture, while their mouths proclaim unity. There are disagreements floating even within the same camp while saying they have the same beliefs and ideas. They increase the punishment of national treason, but they do not heed the new treason. It is proper to purge the pro-Japanese, but they do not weight seriousness of their crimes, and they follow their own affections to bury the forgivable. On the other hand, among those who are designated as pro-Japanese, while those who have been loyal to Japan from the earliest times are not dared to stand up, some of them who are mild in their behavior reflectively admit their wrongdoings in some cases; however, it is disgusting when facing those who have written or spoken for the so-called imperial crusade and justify their commitment. Even if there was no single person among leaders in this land who could avoid such a loyalty due to enemy’s persecution, they should not be so brazen, but what should we do with the fact that there are leaders alive without abandoning such an attitude? In addition, the act of bribery is openly expressed by calling for public justice. This seems to be worse in the parts of the country that are entrusted with the authority to deal with interests. The currency has expanded, the prices have risen, and the people's livelihoods are in shambles, but the money is drying up and falling into the hands of the few racketeers and the rich. From there, even middle-class citizens tend to fall into the poverty of the unemployed. But the racketeers are ignoring this dangerous state of affairs and are filling their own pockets by deceiving and fooling the overwhelming majority of their fellow countrymen. The racketeers I am referring to include those politicians who are busy looking out for their own interests while ignoring the interests of their fellow countrymen. Examples such as these need not be mentioned case by case, for the cause is the lingering psychological toxins of Japanese imperialism, both direct and indirect. In any case, as long as these toxins remain, everything will continue to be the same as it was in the Japanese colonial period. This is why it is said that although Qing came from the other side it is said that Qing is cleaner than others. In a nutshell, if we do not cleanse ourselves of the psychological toxins that remain, national unity and international sympathy will be futile. How can we not be vigilant when it is said that there is nothing so sad as the death of the heart? If we are to succeed fully in our revolution, we must first have a revolutionary heart. We who wish to build a new nation for the complete independence of our country and the free prosperity of our fellow men, must first build a new mind. My sentiments are somewhat like a sermon, but I feel this more and more seriously. It has been only one year since the birth of the Seoul Shinmun, but it is recognized that it has made great contributions to our independence movement by guiding public opinion and developing the people's intelligence, and we hope that special efforts will be made to build up the mindset. Let's eradicate the sound of 'worse than the time of Japanese occupation' as soon as possible and promote our independence. |
