Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-21
Treating Japan.

In the March and May numbers of
" Harper's Magazine" we find an interest
ing account of Commodore Perry's visit
to Japan. We are not informed who is
the writer of the articles in question, but
presume it to be by a member of the ex-
petition, or compiled from the official re-
port of the Commodore, soon to be issued
under Government sanction, and, therefore,
the statements, in the main, may be re-
ceived as true.
We have read the articles with pleasure
there is much contained therein to fat
ter our national pride, but, at the same
time, much to fill us with shame. We al
Jude to the Interchange of civilities' with
which the signing of the treaty was cele-
bratcd. Commodore Perry opened the first
act by a magnificent feast given the ia
panese dignitaries on board one of the YES
sells under his command. The particulars
of this affair are set forth by the writer
with a relish, as we think, showing how
firmly he believed it to be a grand stroke
of diplomacy. After %recounting the edi-
bles, he continues:
"Wines, liquors, and other more potent
drinkables, of course, abounded, and were
by no means the least appreciated by the
guests. The sweetness of the maraschino
found great favor with the tastes of the
Commissioners, while it's strength did not
seem to raise any serious objection, al
though its effect was very perceptible.-
The japanese dignitaries, with the excep-
ton of Hayashi-no-Kam who ate and
drank sparingly, proved themselves excel
lent trenchmen and fair drinkers The
jovial Mimi-Saki was soon lost to all sense
of japanese reserve, and passed rapidly,
under the combined influence of Cham
payne, Maraschino, and Monongahela whis-
key, through all the gradations of baccha-
nalian delight, until he reached the stage
of maudlin affection, which he demon
strated rather inconveniently by embracing
his host, and very seriously damaging a
new pair of golden epaulets. The party
on deck, which was much larger and more
miscellaneous, in rank and character, in
the meantime, had become very uproarious,
after having made way with unlimited sup
plies of solid food and numberless bowls of
punch"
, To strike the gloss from the report, it
will read in plain English, Commodore
Perry embraced the first opportunity ever
. enjoyed byAmerican or European, of ten
dering the advantages and hospitalities Of
a Christianized nation to these antipodes.
to drug them with o~illainous liquors, o.
the strength of which they were entirely
ignorant, and thus succeeded in establish
! ing at once the curse of civilized nations
Drunkenness! In this way Japan wa.
q treated. We have our own opinion of thi
d diplomatic scheme-others may differ will
us,-but under the circumstances, we d
u not hesitate to assert that it was an &C
, disgraceful in the extreme-one whicl
d furnishes the bright honors secured by tn
Is famous Commander, and one which will
a throb a moral disease through Japanes
: vitals for ages to come. japanese mother
d may yet wiring their hands and curse tn
is day that the Americans came and CAV
their husbands and sons a taste of Chan
az payne and Monongahela whiskey.
u 1t was an ~unprovoked outrage upon a
ID inoffensive people. There existed no M
he cessity for such a sequel to a dinner of G
en- Whites. Is there no American hospitalit
IT except in the foam of Champagne? II
japanese, at their feast, reproved the ba
,m barism Of their civilized visitors-they h;
lily nothing similar except their thimblefuls
er sdkee. Was there no chaplain with Il
'no Expedition T? We have no account
mo- him. Did he stand by and laugh in h
on clerical sleeve at the antics of Mimi-Sa
art smashing the Commodore's { golden epa
of let's? Has he felt no remorse cf co
science since for falling to reprovs the a
Inc as unchristian and immoral ? The unit
rim tored japanese were made i" glorious
hat drunk ut a Christian nations expens
vho and the well-fed officials come home a
eff boast of it as a great freak of diplomat
There is said to be "glory in shame"
the A wrong has been committed-it is
as late now to correct it. Unborn millions
self that far-off land may yet mourn the
not when the Christian people came with
the railroad and the telegraph in one ha
the and the Gospel of Christ, Champaign
rity " Maraschino,' "Monongahela whiske,
and "numberless bowls of punch" in
his other. =
man "
ex- Number Of Students. There are
au ~recnlar students at the University of