Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-06-27
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2l. 1854.
J APA ".

The recent news that Commodore Perry had
succeeded in his negotiations with the .Japanesc
Government to open the ports of that hitherto
isolated country to the commerce of the United
States, may be hailed omen of great good
to America, as well as forcshadowng the future
effect or institutions will have on the rotten
monai ches of the Old World. For years and
years Japan has remained mpregnable to the So
licitations of the Christian world. When impor-
tuned she has turned away in disgust-when
threatened She has prepared for defence when
kindly treated she has at last yielded, and il,
Welding has started the ear of Freedom forward
twenty five wears.
Certainly the nineteenth century is witness to
many remarkable events. "Grim-visage wars
frowns in the distance-the strong holds of des-
potism are giving away-tyrants tremble on their
tottcrinc throncs-thc upheavings of the religious
world felt in the utt nr-most parts of the
globe-the MASSES are becoming more enlightened
more liberal in their vicws-whilc circumstances
are tending to place the ->pangled banner on
the ramparts of many city, where for years has
waved the black flag of pagansm.
Japanis great country; the people a bold
and virtuous people, and it only need, the genial
influence of our republican institutions to make
them second to no other race the globe.
The population of the Empire is not far from
10000 900, which is 7,0O0,000 more than our own
country. The territory contains 260,000 square
miles, the average number of persons to IL mile
being | ID, while the number in the United States
is only eight. Jeddo, the capital, contains ii pop
m nf1 | nd =, tbn f,,,
or fifth city in the world, being nearly twice the
size of New York. In agriculture and the arts,
the japanese have attained degree of perfection
scarcely craditablc, and had they the advantages
to be obtained in other portions of the civilized
world, they woud in every respect equal our best
farmers and mechanics.
The country lies between latitude 80 and 50
north, and the climate and soil are adapted to
the raising Of the same products which are raised
in this country, with the addition Of tea, which
we cannot raise. Gold, copper, silver and iron
are found to a considerable extent, and silk COZ
ton, porcelain ani japan ware are manufactured
quite extensively. Hitherto the Dutch and the
Chimes have been permitted to trade with Japan
bat latterly Russia has succeeded in opening an
intercourse with her, ana ROW the United States
Shoald We be fully successful in our enterprise
We may rest assured that one of the greatest mar
kctS the world can afford viii be thrown open to
the ingenuity, skill and capital of our country
men. What will be the result: As IA matter of
course an increase of trade and the d dissemination
of those principles which will eventually dispcl
the darkness which now broods over Japan. and
enable her to progress to al honorable position
among the free nations of the world. We there
fore view the conSummaton of Commodore Per-
ry's negotiations of the most important
events of the age, and cannot hut believe that the
day is not far distant when the Ports of other
equally as impregnabe places Japan will be
thrown open to the flag of the free.