Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-04-29
From the Cincinnati Gazette
japan and The Isles of the Sea.

| Japan and the Isles of the Sea.
la the beautiful and glorious visions of the Prophets
the isles OF the Sea- the last In the order o lllu
mination and the brightest stars in the crown oil the
na restoration This idea, If other gives peenlai
interest the in that vast repository
of islands, the Pacific Ocean Everything has consplred
in the last quarter OF century TO give them new and
extraordinary Importance. The Sandwich Islands have
been reformed and revolutonired by our Missionaries
Our Exploring Expedition discovered new and strange
land far towards the South Pole Bornec IS Just emerg
ling to the light Of knowledge under the government oi
Mr. Brooks-Raah of Sarawak Tha; vast country
| Australia, intended, a few years since, Penal
Colony is formed into States, and popuous and pros
porous country vndcatng its right to freedom and
civilization SO is even New Zealand and Van Demans
Land. Far the North Of these lie the great islands
Of Japan-Nphon and Jesse. OF these islands, less has
been known than of almost any portion Of the earth AT
present. inquiry and interest exced by the idea
that Government is about to send Naval Expedl-
ton that region. Some persons seem to be alarmed,
If blood and carnage actually before them But,
we know Of no why expensive Naval Force
may not be employed in extending our knowledge oil
oreign nations, and opening new avenues oil commerce.
The Isles of the Sea must, like the Continents be
ultimately brought under the influence ol Europe Amer
san Institutions; and why should be the last in
moving, where must be the hrst IN power, on
the highway Of the Paci6c7
japan has been closed against all European and
American observation, the same principle as China
hat of exclusive State, neither seeking nor permit
ing foreign intercourse. The Dutch and the Chnese
are the ony people who have ever been permitted
visit the country The Dutch have been allowed a
single factory in the country and once in TOUR years an
embassy to Jeddo, guarded, however all the way, and
allowed but little observation 1t is from the account
# Dutch Travellers that all our scan knowledge
IF the country derived The following particulars Of
the Island and government will perhaps interest those
who have heard OF Japan expedition.
The Empire of Japan is said to extend over most oil
the Islands from Latitude % deg 49 deg.-or twenty
.hree degrees Of Latitude. But the main Islands Of
Kiusin Niphon and Jesse, lie between Lat 81 and DO
al hah he's
If the United States. The first of these Kiusin is
lbout 220 miles long the second Niphon, about 1000
miles, and Jesse about 100 miles in length. The aver
tge breadth is about 100 miles They extend in the
Dcean more than 20OO miles, and have surface of about
$50 900 square miles. Their population is supposed to
about twenty Millions and Jeddo, the capital is
estimated to contain 800 900 pesrsons and to be 70
niles In circumference
The productions OF Japan very numerous and in
great abundance. Among them are Tea, Spices Cot
ton all the grains and tropical fruits, Gold, Sulphur
Coffee Iron Rice and Coal. II is very obvious from
hese facts that this country contains the elements of
great In addition TO this, the people are In
the physical among the most civilized Of the orenta
world. Many Of our domestic manufactures are familiar
them but beyond doubt many Of the fabrics which
We make so cheap by machinery, would find ready
sale there, in exchange for Tea and Gold.
The Empire of Japan-its Government and Institu-
tons, are the most remarkable in the world It's vast
aatura resources have enabled il be exclusive and
dark superstitions have constructed most compca
ted, compound Government, in which the spiritual and
civil attributes strangely mixed The real Govern
ment is held by Military Despot, called konba, but
the Spiritual Government by the Dairi, residing
Of prisoner Macago. The Government is divided
into eight Administrative Offices, viz:
L. The Central and General Office
2. Legislation aud Education.
3. Affairs of the People and Police
4. Bureau Of the Interior.
5. Bureau Of War.
o. Burean Of Finance.
Z. Bureau of Criminal Law.
8. Minister of the Royal Palace.
The simple enumeration OF these prove the japanese
to be in many respects civilized people.
The Dair is called the "Son of Heaven, "-and is the
spiritual head of all religion He is however shut up in
the Palace Of Macago, surrounded by lnnumerable
princes, allowed twelve concubines-s addicted to
Music and Poetry, and the sun is not allowed TO shine
upon him.
Curously enough the Kouba political Governor is
likewise of prisoner at Jeddo, on petence that the
mere details of Government are below his notice The
truth however, that the actual Government is In the
hands Of the Cabinet Ministers, as II IS in England Tie
Police system is the minute and strict IN the world
and as a result property and person singuary Sc
cure and yet corporal punishment IS rare When guilt
is proved they punish at They have no governor
to pardon out nor baiers bribs from punishment IL
is system but is carried into execution with
less loss to society. than exists in our country
The dark religion Of those countries their worst
features and il can do harm to let in the light OF
Christianity though it should not be at once I'M
pressed upon their institutions. The time is certainly
not far distant when the Ises of the Sea shall
to gladsome light.
To the Messenger ot Grace we well may say
Go to many tropc Isle
In the bosom of the deep,
Where the skies forever smile,
And the oppressed forever weep
Where the golden gates Of day
Open the palmy east,
There the bleeding display.