New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-01-18

The opening OF this rich and populoas empire 70 she
commerce Of the world is dream not likely soon to
be realized beyond a limited extent To our interests
in that quarter. however, the expedition OF Commo-
dore Perry bids fair to proye of much benefit It has
not been many years since the unfortunate sailor or
traveller cast helpless By shpwreck upon me innos
pitable coast OF Japan could have nothing 70 nope
for If he wandered into the interior but death or
lifetime captivity; we believe IL IS not poshsey
known that death was ever inflicted IL such cases,
but many instances are on record OF the disappear
ance or detention Of persons who have voluntarily or
otherwise, visited Japanese territory. The pertin-
acty with which visits from vessels Of war have been
thrust upon this jealous people within few years
past has opened their eyes to the peril Of pursuing
This absurd policy, and has caused them to modify it
in very material degree; they perceived instinct
lively and clearly that their conduct could not forever
remain concealed from the world and that they would
not be permitted to outrage humanity nor disregard
It's claims - to maltreat those who fall into their
power refuse supplies to vessels requiring them.
During the past summer our commercial agent
there has succeeded in eecting arrangement which
was one Of the most important objects Of Perrys ex
pedition-the privilege of aport Of supply where our
numerous whaling vessels in those seas and other
ships trading cruising in that remote region, can
obtain everything they need, or lie up to redt If
necessary. In view of the fact that line OF steamers
about to be established from San Francisco to China,
and that an extensive and profitable trade on the
AMOR river il being opened by countrymen, this
acquisition must be- regarded of great import
ance and value. We have. besides the privilege OF
permanently locating agent or consul there, and
this circumstance alone may prove fruitful Of results
in the future.
TO what extent the people Of Japan concur with
their rulers in the policy OF isolation the world has
little chance Of knowing with any degree of certainty
The rgor Of Japanese laws, and the strictness and
certainty Of their execution forbid manifestations Of
the popular viii against that Of the authorities and
although their national prejudice against foreigners
may be very strong, and the influence of customs
ancient the empire itself still more powerful it is
probable that the Of the japanese would rejoice
to see their ports thrown open to the commerce of
the world. Our agent in Hakodadi thinks that for
other than their exclnsveness trade between
them and this country to any considerable extent will
never be done, but says, to the port where he is
stationed. that the people very friendly, and
show willingness to furnish everything they have
to all American ships and very DESTROYS to have
them come here
But il the rulers Of Japan have at any time within
the last few years been disposed to relax their Jealous
watchfuness against the intrusion Of foreigners or to
throw aside altogether sheir system Of excusyeness
recent events in that quarter of the world will I'M
doubtedy determine them to stick to their ancient
policy. The trouble into which the Chinese have
been plunged through their dealings with Europeans
win to their eyes take the shape Of warning against
establishing intimate relations with the outside bar
barians and in fact we have somewhere seen it
stated that the japanese attribute not only the war
between England and China, bat also the great re-
beon in the Celestial Empire to Chinese intercourse
with Europeans.
How far it is right to compel by physical force an
Independent nation to hold intercourse with the rest
Of mankind, or whether IT is right at ALL is question
which England does not stop to discuss when she
fancies her own interests are concerned. She goes
straight ahead and obtains her object peaceaby il
she can bit ready at any moment to use force If ne
cessary. This may or may not be right but, right
or wrong, President Buchanan endorses it, and nti-
mates that it is the proper line Of policy for us to
pursue in like cases. He says, in his last annua mes
sage:
Whilst our Minister has been instructed to occupy
neutral position In reference 10 the existing hosti
ties at Canton, he will cordially cooperate with the
British and French Ministers in all peaceful measures
to by treaty stpulatons those Just concessions
to commerce which the nations of the world have a
right TO expect and which China cannot be permitted
TO withhold.
II we are to compel China to trade with us it is to
be presumed that we shall also compel Japan, when
ever a commerce Of sufficient value to justify such an
extreme measure be established which could not
be at present.