Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-06-22
EVENING STAR.
FERMENTATION OF THE TESTIMONIAL
TO COM. II. C. PERRY.

H. journal, writing from Newport, under
date OF the l4th instant, furnishes the
following particulars of the interesting
ceremony of the presentation of testi.
monlal by Governor Hoppin, of Rhode
Island, to Commodore NJ. G. Perry, U.
s. N. The writer says:
"This being the day appointed by
Governor Hoppin to present the testimo-
NAL voted by the General Assembly, at
the January session, to Commodore
Perry, for their appreciation of his ser.
vices to his country in negotiating trea-
ty OF amity and commerce with Japan,
the ceremony took place at 5 o'clock, D.
M, On the balcony in front of the State
House. A large number of the good ci,-
izens and strangers assembled at the ap-
pointed hour, embracing the beauty and
fashion of Newport. Many beautiful
equlpages We're also drawn up in front of
the State House, while the windows of
the adjacent houses, filled with ladies.
showed how deep an interest the fair sex
took III the ceremony. 1t was proposed
to have military display on the occa-
sion, but with the modeSty and good
sense which marks every act of the dis.
tlngushed officer who was to be the re-
clplent of the testimonial, he preferred
that the ceremony should, as far as mos.
sible, be confined to the civil authorities,
PARTICULAR y as the members of the Senate
and House of Representatives would be
present. Unfortunately, a shower ofrain
fell while the people were assembling,
but 1t was Of brief duration, and was
succeeded by bright sun.
"On the balcony stood table. upou
which was SO placed the piece of plate to
be presented, that it could be seen bv the
assembled people. Governor Hoppin
stood at one side Of this, and Commodore
Perry, in full uniform, on the other.
Lieutenant Bent, of the Navy, Sheriff
Lake, several Senators and other State
officials, with many distinguished citi.
zens and strangers filled the remaining
space, while the other Senator's and
members of the House occupied places
near.
"On presenting the testimonial, Gov.
Hoppin addressed Commodore Perry as
follows:
RESPECTED Sir: 1t is with great per-
sonal qualification that | accept the hon
or to become the instrument of convey.
ing to you token Of the deep feelings Of
respect and interest with which the Cen
eral Assembly Of Rhode island have re-
gsrded your course in the late difficult
negotiations with the Empire of Japan.
They have watched the whole pro.
gress of this important enterprise from
its inception to its happy termination,
with lively interest. They felt the sim
gular embarrassment of your position
the more SO from the fact that the honor
OF your own native State was involved
in your success. They had no fear as
far as yourself was concerned, that all
things would not be accomplished with
characteristic faithfulness and wisdom
but under all the possible contingencies
OF so great a movement, the vast compli-
cation of the details, the distance of the
scene of operations, the rivalry of other
nations, the total uncertainty of the bar
barian mind they could not but have
great soiicitude. That solicitude is now
past. The object which was every wav
worthy Of its dignifcd origin, and of the
energies and sympathies of a great and
enlightened nation, has been achieved !;
and achieved also, under God, we believe,
mainly through your own perseverance,
sagacity and skill.
"Wtere many mi ght have failed through
over much boldness, or Cver-much fear,
you seem to have pursued that golden
middle course that conducted to perfect
this success.
That which has been accomplished
IS held by the General Assembly of
Rhode Island to be of the greatest mo.
ment-both in the view Of the CONNER
cial interests of land, and the general
interests Of humanity.
1.-THE Island of Japan, stretching
across fifteen degrees of latitude, and
containing, probably as many inhabit-
ants as the United States, who are gifted
as race with no common degree of in
tellectual force and industrial talent
these islands, closed to the world for
nearly two centuries, and never entirely
opened for benefit, or to be benefited by
other nations-haVe now unlocked their
gates at the touch Of power clothed with
kindness. This was a new kind of tri-
umph. Military power, even while car
ryiDg the sword at its side and the thun-
der-bolt at its command, yet choose to
employ the weapons of reason and of
love.
1.-The General Assembly of Rhode
Island sec in this certain foreshadow-
ing of a more wise method of settling
questions, and of recon-
Cling all differences between govern
ments.
"The results Of the Japan Expedition
have proved that there need be no lack
of tirmness, and no lowering of Just de-
mands in the exercise of the utmost spirit
of cancellation. The material advantages
to be derived by our nation from the
treaty with Japan may be seen at a
glance. What Holland by her Jealous
intrigues, has heretofore drawn from her
commerce with Japan, in very limited
degree, will probably, in the course ofl
f,yna ha turonl