The soldier who would begin revolution, or who lusted for power, would make the Mikado his tool; but, however transcendent his genius and abilities, he never attempted to write himself mikado. No Japanese Caesar ever had his Brutus, nor Charles his Cromwell, nor George his Washington.
Not even, as in China, did one dynasty of alien blood overthrow another, and reign in the stead of a destroyed family. Such events are unknown in Japanese annals. The student of his people, and their unique history can never understand them or their national life unless he measures the mightiness of the force, and recognizes the place of the throne and the Mikado in the minds and hearts of the people.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
