Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-06-21

~
Treaty. Not only will the unfortunate
mariners, cas-, upon that merciless coast,
now be assured Of kind treatment, and the
dead from foreign lands nov receive de-
cent sepulture, but the heart of this great
people will be sofened from its stern fero-
city, its manners will be gradually amelio-
rated and elevated by contact with Christ.
ian civilization, and the opportunity will be
given fo' sowing among them the seeds Of
pure religion. The fact that an Empire
twice sealed up by it, own idolatry and by
its former terrible experience OF a nominal
Christianity, may now be slowly opened
for the introduction OF tho religion Of the
Gospel, is a great and glorious fact, which
it must be pleasing, Sir, for you, especially
TO contemplate.
\ Were this the occasion, and would time
permit, many highly interesting additional
facts relating to your personal history in
connection with the mission to Japan
might be presented. The unwaivering
faith which you had in the success Of the
/ Expedition akin to that which animated the
spirit and fortified the courage OF the great
discoverer of this Continent,-the extraor-
dinary discretionary powers coniided to you
by your Government, and the wise, humane
and benefcent use which you made OF
those powers, s,--the memorable and deic ate
consideration manifested by you in the
| Treaty stipuatons for the just rights Of
! the yapanese women, thus recognizing in
that far distant land the appropriate intlu-
| ence OF woman in all the important affairs
4 OF life,-tbe great moral power OF the
n course Of policy and rules Of conduct which
i you adopted especially in declining to re-
H cieve or TO make visits of ceremony, or TO
\ negotiate on the Christian Sabbath, there
by presenting to the minds of this intelli.
| gent and observing people, ,irrefutablc proof
/ Of The respect and reverence of your nation
i for that great Commandment of the Al
mighty, which is enjoned upon us all, "to
Il remember The Sabbath day,to keep it holy"
these and kindred topics afford rich food
\ f1r - 'ht and invite TO extended remarks;
4 Out Ef.-Ar.
\ Permit me now, Sir, TO present to you,
4 in the name OF your native State which
4 cherishes, as among its most priceless pos
sessions, the name and m mory OF your he
roic brolher,-,his piece of Plate, voted TO
I you by the General Assembly Of Rhode
\ Island, in such terms as must give you
| qualification. The Plate is altogether of
/ Rhode Island fabric and from this circum-
| stance its slight intrinsic value may be in
creased in your estimation,
Ii i~-4i least, SU, - ,sincgrs Xpression Of
H the respect and approval of,your fellow
citizens of Rhode Island They rejoice
\ that the name OF Perry is still word of
i strength to your profession and county
\ They rejoice that the olive leaf Of Peace is
Il entwined with its unadng laurel.
| Please recievc, through me, the con-
] gratulations of your friends in Rhode Island,
| and their earnest wishes that your life and
usefulness may be long preserved.
Commodore Perry replied to Gov. Hop
pin NJ follows -
Your Erceliency:-
1t is impossible for mo
to express the feelings oi gratitude with
which my heart responds to the flattering
| expressions you have this moment uttered
| i'm your capacity of Governor Of the gallant
| little State OF Rhode Island, and % the
organ OF both branches Of its Legislative
body.
You may well imagine my pride and sat
| isiaction in being permitted thus to stand
before this assembly, and upon spot sane
| titled by the most agreeable associations.
Ii was in my earliest boyhood, before the
| introduction Of st amboats or railroads, that
| often watched upon the shore for the
first glimpse of the gaily decorated packet
| sloop that in those days annually brought
the Governor from Providence to this town,
| and Witnessed with child-liked eight, in
sight of this very edifce, the pomp, parade
and festivities of ELECTION day"
Since then have traversed almost eve.
| ~ part of the globe, in the prosecution OF
| the duties Of a profession OF which ! am
| Justly proud; and now, after lapse OF
nearly half century, when in declining
| ife, to be called by the Representatives OF
nv native State back to these hallowed
precincts, here to receive from the lips Of
! its Chief Magistrate the commentators of
nv fellow citizens, is an honor little ex-
pected, when as a -mdshipman forty
six years ago first embarked upon an ell
emcnt then and always the mnst congenlal
| 70 nv aspirations for honorable emprise.
And should not feel doubly honored in
| finding my public services associated with
those OF lamcnted brother, the memory
I OI WHOSE IlGIulC uttuo udo oO i"i bNNhf e'N
| trust ever will be, fondly cherished by
every ue-heartcd Rhode Islander.
In conducting the mission to Japan which
a confiding government entrusted to my
sole charge, was fully impressed wsh
the magnitude OF the responsibility impos-
! ed upon me and true to this generous re-
lance upon my Judgment and discretion,
was the more ambitious to accomplish an
object which TO many seemed unattanable.
You have Just now, Sir, told me how these
services are appreciated by those OF my
compatriots who are nearest and dearest to
me--and am satisfied.
The valuable testimonial, now presented
with so much eloquence and grace, shall be
preserved in my family as an heirloom, to
commemorate an event TO be remembered
by all who may be allied by the ties OF
blood to the grateful recipient, who begs to
tender to your Excellency and all here pres.
| ent his profound and heartfelt thanks.