The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-16
THE JAPAN EMPIRE.

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- Intercourse with shs Western Wsssus
Ell years, until the spirited movement O our
government, Japan was, as nation, hterany sever
q nom all others of the world and thai, - the pass
history OF her intercourse with Europeans win show,
Ia 20 much from a desire OF exclusiveness, "a to
psotect herself and people from annoyance and in
snIh The Japanese are people enlightened, free
nd tolerant, and but for the rspacieus, intoerant
md piideful spirit to be found in the Romsh form
e Christianity, Japan would years ago have been
Ase for the intercourse Of the civilized world, and
- this time perhaps Christianized. This is not too
osch 70 say, when il is considered what rapid
slride the Christian faith made among her people
mare than two centuries ago. owing doubtless TO the
gAre and glitter Of the Romish ceremonias, rather
Nan to the interior truth inherent the religion Of
christ.
Prom Ibis paper viii be CLEANED, as far as Faro
pean intercourse goes, the past of Japan.
The islands which constitute the Empire OF Japan
extend from the 3lst to AID degree north lat, and
kcn the 10Th to the l75th degree east long, and
Ne IN the very heart of he temperate aone. The
position they occupy is a commanding one on the
eastern side Of the continent Of ASIA The main
hhnds which compose the empire ara three m
sunbcr, besides which there are many others, form
fhey lie are stormy, and subject to sudden alterna-
Sons in the weather, which, together with the po-
si>ions OF the Islands, make the navigation Of her
coasts highly dangerous.
lle japanese are highly industrious nation,
carrying the cultivation of the soil to the waters
edge, terracng the sides OF the mountains aud con-
verting the barrepness of the naturally sterile height
INTO hanging gardens, and making smiling para
dec where erst desoiation frowned in the gloomy
majesty Of its tsrro-s.
The first know ledge the nations OF the vest ac-
suired of these islands, rom tie descriptions Of
Marco Polo, Venetian, who, in the thirteenth CEN
try, after travers,ng tae sseppes Of Asia and the
deserts OF Mongolia, found home and q welcome
with the Chinese, the service Of the Tartar Kubai
Khan. II is IN his record OF China that an incl
dental mention is made Of them. The Tartar, fired
by the lust Of oonquest-his aordes having already
subjected China TO his rule-cast his eyes WITH
greedy desire aupon the adjacent islands. For the
purpose Of subjugasing them he fitted out pow
sul fleet The storms Of the coasts and the intrepid
sonduct Of the natives foiied the enterprise. With
me chronicle of their triumph japan was again
blotted out for three centuries from the mind OF the
western world.
In l542, Ferdinand Mcndez Pinto, o Portuguese,
was BY storm driven upon the coast of Bungo.
He returned to Europe, and spoke of the wealth
and power OF the new nation, painting the mag.
Aisence of her people end the riches Of the coun-
ny, exciting the cupidity and zeal Of the Romish
church, then swayed by the Je-uits. The desires OF
proselytism obecured the danger Of the mission,
and II was determined to bring these magnidcsn emit
bsrbarians into the fold Of the lamb, aud make her
inches flow into the lap OF mother caurch.
Francis Xavier, named, pcr erceiieace, the Apos-
fae Of the Indies, set OF. With train Of priests
md was received with distinction by the Emperor
Of japan. Permission was given to the Jesuits to
Bs0paeate their credible Emperor, in the true
spirit of liberation, granting the permission saying
xhai religion nina terial when alrc ldy
thirtytwo others Gcurished amongst them. 1t il
azid that upwards of laillion Of converts quickly
rewarded the labors Of tbe missionaries. The
Christian religion became fashionable, an /. was
whispered that the Emperor himself was not un.
tainted by the new faith.
The Jcsu,ts having formed or found, q few
iotei prefers wrote ont their serm,ns ia iair ,man
characters, after getting them translated, and thuI
they were delivered 10 their coDgre yatons, withou.
themselves (the priest) knowing a word Of what
nhey utter i, Whistler The interpreters had truth
fally rendered that which was delivered to them.
The audience, at the Oddly of toe pronunciation,
were usually conyulsed with laughter, and to con-
solo the preachers for the ridcule their exhibition
had evoked, professed TO accept The do;tinr. With
tbB the good fathers were content-pfo5. iytisn
Icing their present object Numbers OF the most
wealthy and influential noble non, including several
princes, enrolled them elves as Christians, aud with
the zeal Of new converts-perhaps secretly inst,-
gated by their teacbers-spreai the new faith
SAe country attacking the creeds Of the old faith
An illtimed annoyance overset the proud structure
which appeared within tho grasp OF the Romish
church. Bishops were elected who became inflated
with their importance aud did here they had d,us
10 the Western world. they assumed position
incompatible with the lowiy tenets they protested
IL teach, and considered themselves eqaa! to noble
nea OF the highest grade, disrcgarding the form
hries OF society, snd treating win contempt The
essquette of rank
10 was customary for the governors OF p.oyis%s
aad princes, to make an annual visit 20 - capital
Ycdo, or Jeddo ana on tie occasion Of til visits
h was customary for al persons Of inferior rank
whether clergy or iaity, natives or strangers, on
meeting these disnltariss II In palanqiins, to dies
send In token of respect; or il on foot TO oblcrvc
certain forms OF obeisanoe. On one occasion, one
a these governors encountered the pllinquin Of q
Rpman Bishop, who, instead Of conforming to the
sussom, hsughtily ordered his bearers to pass )n;
20 consemptuousy disreg .rdilg the custoa of
Che country, and treating the returned olga ny
with disrespectful indifference. TIE prin e.
for he was Of that raak--posscesing NINE
roas friends at court laid before the En-
psror this specimen OF priestly arrogance. M.
merous tales, true or false, were poured into the
listening OF power and the feelings OF the pow
erful turned against the professor OF the new
religion |. Ut this time that saying Of ferdt
nand NenqeZ Pinto was ralxed from the archives
where 1t had Lain He, in a conversation vita some
official persons, (bepg DESTROYS Of making the pow
cr Of the King Of Spain, in whose service he vas,
showing the extent Of bis kinys tsrTit,rs' .Hagn
inquired the officer. has your king minagc1 to POI
EOS himself OF half the worldf The Spaniard re.
pbea, By iirst sending priests, who win over the
Pecpc, and then troops are despatched who jon the