The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-11-10
RICHMOND, VA
THURSDAY MoRslgo. NOVEMBER "a =.
Japan.

The intelligence OF the recent visit or ~,
Perry to Japan and the probable success of
his mission. has revived the interest which IA
felt in that country and in tho purposes of
the expedition The Japanese are q people.
whose character and progress in civilization,
as well as the natural resources of their coun.
try, entitle them to hold respectable place
in the family of nations. They ara undoubt-
edly the most refined and civilized of the
Asiatics, intelligent. proud and high spirited.
but at the same time teachable and willing
to be instructed. They are industrious. neat
and cheerful; fond of poetry, music and
painting, and though they probably orisina-
ted and derived their civilization from China,
they IRE really courageous and warlike
race. We have seen 1t stated that the force
of 5000, By which Commodore Perry was re-
ceived on his recent visit, was mostly arm
ed with bows and arrows. but the japanese
soldiers have also excellent muskets. sabres
and daggers o peace establishment of lo0,-
900 infantry and 10000 horsemen. and it is
said that the provincial princes maintain. be-
sides, 36Sooo infantry and $1,000 cavalry
Japanwas formerly an enterprising CONNER
cial power before the arrival of the Euro
peans. they explored the north west coast of
America farther than the European naviga
tors; they also visited China and the East
Indies as far as Bengal. Such people ought
not to draw themselves within theirshell. and
deprive the world and themselves of the mu-
tual benefits which would arise from an init
mate commercial intercourse.
1t is now a little more than 200 years since
Japan adopted the policy 30 inhospitable to
others, and injurious to her own interests, of
closing the ports Of the empire to all for
eigners except tho Dutch. For more than q
century previous to that period. t1e Portu-
guese had enjoyed extensive commercial
privileges in Japan and were allowed free
access to all parts Of the empire. They
founded colonies, and their missionaries, be-
ginning with the famous Francis Xavier,
propagated Christianity in Japan with eucl,
success that, in 1918, nearly half the people.
it is said. were Christians with many of the
petty princes. A revolution in 1855 brought
into power usurper who. as well as his suo-
cessors, was unfriendly to tho Portuguese
and their missionaries. Ths imprudent CON
duet of the Portuguese colonists and tho in
trigues of the Dutch brought about the final
banishment of the former. and the exclusion
Of all Foreigners, except the Dutch from the
ports of the empire, in 1857. The persecution
Of the Christians was probably moro bloody
than any which has occurred since the early
days of Christianity. It continued 40 years,
in which time, it is said, severI millions of
Christians were sacrificed.
From this period, the Dutch and the Chi
nese are the only nations whose ships have
been allowed access to Japan. The trade of
the Dutch with Japan has been very profta-
ble notwithstanding the restrictions and ex-
tortions to which they have been compelled
to submit. England and Russia have both
made unsuccessful attempts to open P trade
with Japan We hope the honor will be re-
served to this country of introducing Japan
into the family of nations.
Japan is estimated to contain 266, 800 square
miles, with population of IS millions. The
soil is sterile. but has been made productive
by the great industry Of the people. Japan
Csc copper and caInphor. their porcelain wares
and iapanned wares. their silk and cotton
cloths, and their steel work and sword, are
held In high esteem.