The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-04-01

I4lt1t 4StIH IiSdNSH, VIII cHafu away
All evil thoughts and passions from thy breast,
And calm the raging tumult of thy soul
The Japan Expedition.
Our government says the New York Herald,
has organized formidable naval expedition to
Japan. Three first class steamers, three sIoops,
and one brig of war, with a store ship, are to
constitute the warlike squadron of Commodore
Perry, in this singular, curious, if net illegal
enterprise. The fact that such an expedition
was projected, was first announced some time
ago The provocations and object Of this war
Ike movement have since been semi-olEicially
communicated 10 the world.
Japan IS a populous, Independent oriental Sc
mi-barbarous nation, made up Of an immense
cluster Of volcanic islands, fanking the coast Of
China. Tie entire population Of the empire is
estimated at from forty toffty millions. Juddo,
the capital, in the island Eiphon, is said to be
one Of the most magnificent and populous cities
OF the globe. The products OF the island are va
ried and extensive, and the people are skilled in
variety Of useful manufactures. The empire
offers ~ inviting market to the commerce Of Eu-
rope and the United States; but il remains TO
this day a sealed book to all - outside barbara
ans" except the Dutch, who, by treaty stipula-
TONS enjoy certain exclusive, but limited, priyi
leges Of trade. The Chinese, branch Of the
same race as the Japanese, not being classified
among the outsiders" have q more enlarged
privilege Of traffic bat, substantially, the empire
Is locked up against the ships of al civilized na
tons. The Gags of England and the United
States are especially under the most rigorous
can sailors snong the Japanese islands, are sub
jected to tortures, compared with which the srf-
ferings of Captain Riley, the coast of Africa,
are but the details of d holiday excursion among
the natives. Within the last two Years, the sal
lors Of one or several american vessels have suf-
fered from the treachery and barbarity of the
Japanese. But while some died from their cru
cl treatment, others escaped TO tell the story.
Subsequently, if We are not mistaken, an Amer
sacred waters Of Jeddo, anchored of the city,
and demanded the surrender of certain American
sailors, still supposed 70 be in the custody Of the
local authorities. After considerable chaifering
and a threat OF bombariment one or two men,
we believe, were recovered; but such was the
jealousy Of the authorities that neither the ofi-
GERS nor any of the were permitted to land :;
and it was only by threats of opening on the
town, that water and provisions were supplied
10 the vessel by the natives themselves
Those unsatsfied out-ages upon American
scanen are set down as the casus BeIH for this
| expedition. The object Of the squ-tron is open
| ly declared to be war-the invasion of Jeddo,
nolcns vo}sns, and the exploration of the islands
with an eye to their commercial advantages
The enterprise may, therefore, be fairly pro-
| nounced sort of experimental fzi5uster explor-
ing expedition, a scale equivalent to an ac-
tual declaration of war. The success Of the Eng
lish invasion of China, upon the opium question
may have suggested the practicabillity of this
japanese experiment. The most lawless, and
even the most atrocious, outrages upon inofFen-
siye nations, have very often resulted to the pos
tive benefit of the injured people themselves,
and the world at large. The history Of mankind
is full of such examples. The wars of the Ro-
mans, the Crusades of the dark ages the numer-
Gus GiJustertng expeditions of Great Britain, of
Spain, and Of France, to say nothing of the re-
annexation of ofTexas-the most magnificent stroke
of sound policy of modern times, although not
exactly 8cCOfdlng 10 inc Tex ScTTptG, or TIE Glp-
lomatic code in all respects-one and all, may
be justified by their practical results. The
written law has been, is and must be, subservi-
ent to policy, which is the supreme law of ma
tions.
Upon this broad fundamental doctrine the
United States naval expedition sets out for the
invasion of japan. sit is designed to effect a
landing at Jeddo, the capitol of the empire, at
all hazards" Thus reads our report from Wash
ington. And Commodore Perry is to ''leaye no
efforts untried to open commercial intercourse
with that long-sealed people" The objects of
the expedition 90 beyond the point Of redress for
outrages upon American seamen. The Japanese
are to be compelled to trade with the g ontside
barbarians'' of the United States, and their coup-
try is TO be explored by force Of arms
This is 3 curious, singular, and remarkable
project for the pacific administration of Mr..
Fillmore. 1t stands out in direct contrast with