The substitution of a republic for a monarchy is not the fruit of transient passion, but the natural outcome of a long-cherished desire for freedom, contentment, and advancement.

We Chinese people, peaceful and law-abiding, have not waged war except in self-defence.

We have borne our grievance for two hundred and sixty-seven years with patience and forbearance.

We have endeavoured by peaceful means to redress our wrongs, secure liberty, and ensure progress; but we failed.

Oppressed beyond human endurance, we deemed it our inalienable right, as well as a sacred duty, to appeal to arms to deliver ourselves and our posterity from the yoke to which we have for so long been subjected.