Washington sentinel., 1854-02-10
Japan-Its Government.

the rights conceded thereto, as an index of the
people who have established it.
Japan affords spectacle different from any
thing history has yet brought down to us; holds
to our gaze political relations, unique, wonder
ful, and anomalous Unlike European nations,
no ieudal system has established relations be-
tween individuals; still more unlike the Asiatic,
the debasing influences of caste have never
cramped their energies. Unlike any other ma
tion, they stand alone, secluded, and hourishing,
under form of government peculiarly their
own.
This government is a pure despotism; not
the despotism OF man, but despotism inherent
upon the infallibility Of the law. Like the
and an unhesitating and uncompromsing obe-
dience is created but, unlike that scattered
and wandering people, dispersed throughout
every part Of the globe, the Japanese are on
the other extreme of unity, and isolated from
mankind. Let us contemplate this strange
government, passing by its supposed fabulous
origin, as it now exists, and in the full and
vigorous adaptation of the system to the wants
Of the governed.
The first feature in the government is the
Mikado, or emperor, of divine origin. For
ages he has ruled Japan; but his sacred char
acter, being high priest as well as Mikado, pre-.
venting him from appearing before the people,
Iiogoon, or grand yizier, became his deputy.
These gradually like the mayors Of the palace
in the times of the emperors of France and
Germany, usurped all power, though still yield
ing the semblance Of respect and obedience to
the Mikado as the source of their authority.
But, as check upon the Tiogoon, there
exists council of peculiar powers, that pre-
vents him from violating the established laws.
These are promulgated in the name Of the
Mikado, and become ut once absoute they
are posted up throughout the empire, where
all, even the lowest, cannot fail to see them;
and once infringed, punishment invariably fol
lows. No extenuating circumstances are con-
sidered palliative. The law and punishment go
together; they cannot be separated; and the in
fringement OF the one brings with it the execu-
ton of the other. 1t might naturally be sup
posed that, where the Tiogoon thus possessed
all visible power, he might enact any law in
the name OF the Mikado, and, where such abso-
lutte and uncompromising obedience followed,
there would be no limit to his authority; but
this is checked by the peculiar relations exist
ing between himself and the council.
Should the Tiogoon propose law, it is first
referred to this council; if approved, then sub
mitted to the Mikado and, if also approved by
him, it is promulgated in his name. But
should the council disapprove, it is referred to
the three next of kin to the Tiogoon; and if
they also disapprove, the Tiogoon is forced to
abdicate, and the next of kin succeeds him. But
if on the contrary, the three kinsmen side
with the Iiogoon, no resource is left to the
council but the Harakuiss Thus every bar to
innovation has been established. Government
has been formed upon this basis; for where
difference of opinion carries with it such terri
BILE consequences, there can be but little en-
couragement for experiments. Even in the
exclusion of foreigners, we behold this prin-
ciple. 1t has become law; and though the
people exhibit great apparent anxiety for inter
course, and with avidity seize hold of every op.
portunity of informing themselves of our man
ners customs, and progress in the arts and
sciences, yet further they dare not proceed
The gate to innovation is closed with adaman
tine fetters.
Independent of the authority of the Mikado,
Tiogoon, and council, there are the mobiles,
from the prince of province to those of in
ferior degree, who fill the various positions Of
governors of towns, cities, and the military
grades. These, from the burdensome and often
ruinous ceremonial of the court, and system
Of espionage which pervades every portion Of
the empire, from the highest to the lowest, are
rendered tributary to and dependent upon the
Tiogoon. A notice that he will call upon some
wealthy prince will reduce him to poverty.
He cannot decline the honor; for, once in
formed, the law, despotic and unyelding, pre-
scribes the ceremonial, every minutia of which
is to be observed.
OF such singular and anomalous materials
have this strange people formed for themselves
a government, and live apparently happy and
contented. Whatcan we callthis government?
By what name shall we designate it? Alike
binding upon all, the law never can be in
fringed by the highest or lowest without pun
ishment; and the enactment of laws is pro-
vided for by a system of terrible responsibility,
which cannot fail to make men consider long |
and deliberately before they propose them.
Thus, though despotic and absolute, since all
are equally bound to submit the law equally |
protects and Furnishes all. 1t is independent Of
the reigning power; he cannot change it. 1t
is supreme.
History affords no name for this strange
spectacle. 1t is the perfection of system
having for its object the attainment of ends and
objects never contemplated by any other ma
ton upon the face of the earth-entire and total |
seclusion from all intercourse with mankind |
Every bar, every check, is for the purpose Of
innovation. This is the basis of
government, perVaueS every department.; and |
yet this is the obstacle the expedition to Japan |
is designed to remove! Can success be antici.
pated?
The small province of Paraguay, under the
rule of DR.. Franca, remained sealed country
to the world for nearly half century. But
this, arising from the despotism of man, did not
exist longer than the authority which estab.
lished it. Upon its removal, the province sprung
from the obscurity to which he had doomed it,
and eagerly sought communication with other
nations. This isolated instance bears no ana
logy to the secluson of millions Of human be-
ings for centuries from all intercourse with
other nations, and we may search in vain the
records of history for an anomaly like the one
under consideration
The Jews alone hold within themselves this
germ of unity, which has preserved them sepa.
rate and distinct as a people, amid the various
and multifarious concerns of life. Through all /
the changes of governments, overthrow of en-
pires and kingdoms, establishment and down
fall of republics, prosecutions and the suffering
of every evil incident to the throes and ago I
nies Of convulsed nations, and their isolation
as people of no visible nationality, they have
adhered m tho d;v;pa 10 VIC of tha;r fafbarc ard