Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-06-22

nected before. And there are, we con-
celve, still higher views of the results OF
the treaty of amity lately concluded with
Japan. The cause of humanity has made
decided advance with that treaty. Not
only will the unfo rtunate mariner, cast
upon that merciless coast, now be as
sured of kind treatment, and the dead
from foreign lands now receive decent
sepulture, but the heart of this great
peop.e will be softened from its stern fe-
roclty, its manners will be gradually
ameliorated and elevated by contact with
Christian civilization, and the oppor-
tunity will be given for sowing among
them the seeds of pure religion. Tie
fact that an Empire, twice sealed up by
its own idolatry and by its former terri
bic experience Of nominal Christianity,
may now be slowly opened for the intro.
duction of the religion of the Gospel, is a
great and glorious fact, which it must be
pleasing, sir, for you especially to con-
template.
Were this the occasion, and would
time permit, many highly interesting ad-
ditional facts relating to your personal
history in connection with the mission to
Japan might be presented. The unwa-
vering faith which you had in the sue.
cess of the expedition, akin to that which
animated the spirit and fortified the cour-
age of the great discoverer OF this cont.
nent-the extraordinary discretionary
powers confidcd to you by your govern
ment, and the wise, humane, and benefi.
confuse whicayo made of thosepowers-
the memorable and delicate consideration
manifested by you in the treaty stieula-
tons for the just rights of the Japanese
women, thus recegnizIngi that far distant
land the appropriate influence of women in
all the important affairs of life-the great
moral power of the course of policy and
rules Of conduct which you adopted, es.
psclally in declining to receive or make
visits of ceremony, Or 10 negotiate on the
Christian Sabbath-thereby presenting
to the minds of this intelligent and OBJ.
serving people, irrefutable proof Of the
respect and reverence of your nation for
that great commandment of the AL
mighty. which is enjoined upon us all
" to remember the Sabbath day, to keep
1t holy"-these and kindred topics afford
rich food for thought and invite to ex-
tended remarks; but l forbear.
Permit me now, sir. to present to
you, In the name of your native State,
which cherishes, as among its most price
less possessions, the name and memory
OF yeur heroic brother-this piece OF
plate, voted TO you by the General As.
sombly OF Rhode Island, in such terms
rs must give you qualification. The
plate is altogether of Rhode Island fab.
ric; and from this circumstance its slight
intrinsic value may be increased in your
estimation.
" 1t is at least, sir, q sincere express
sion of the respect and approval, of your
fellow-citizens Of Rhode Island. They
rejoice that the name of Perry is still a
word of strength to your profession and
country. They rejoice that the olive leaf
OF Peace IS entwined with its unfsdipg
laurel.
please receive, through me, the con.
grstu!ations of your friends in Rhode
island, and their earnest wishes that
your life and usefulness may be long pre-.
served"
The following are Commodore Perry's
remarks ia reply:
YOUR ExCELLENCY 1t is impossible
Tor NE to cypress the feelings OF graft
tude with which my heart responds to
The fattcring expressions you have this
moment uttered in your capacity of Gov
ernor of the gallant little State of Rhode
Island, and as the organ Of both branches
of its legislative body.
=" You may well imagine nv pride and
satisfaction in being permitted thus to
stand before this assembly, and upon q
spot sanctified by the most agreeable as
s0ciationS.
at was in my earliest boyhood, be-
fore the introduction Of steamboats, or
railroad, 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-like delight, in sight of this
very editice, the pomp, parade, and fes-
tivities Of" election day."
OlHCc lucu uaFe lTaVeTSeQ QI most
every part of the globe, in the prosecu-
ton OF the duties of a profession of
which l an justly proud; and now, after
a lapse of nearly half q century, when
in declining life, to be called by the Rep,
reSentatives of my native State back 10
these hallowed precincts, here to receive
from the lips Of its Chief Magistrate the
Communications of NY fellow citizens, is
an honor little expected, when, as boy
mldshipnan forty-siI years ago, | first
embarked upon an element then and al
ways the most congenial to my aspiration
for honorable emprise.
"And should 1 not feel doubly hon.
ored in finding my public services asso.
clated with those Of a lamepted brother,
the memory of whose heroic deeds has SO
far been, and trust ever will be, fordIv
cherished by every true hearted Rhode
Islander.
" II conducting the mission to japan,
which confiding government entrusted
to my sole charge, | was fully impressed
with the magnitude of the responsibility
imposed upon me; and true to this gem
erOuS reliance unOn nv iu3pmert .nd