The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-12-01
An Interesting People.

An Interesting People.
The recent treaty of our government with
Japan, has afforded great deal of new light
in regard to people concerning whom all
our preconceived notions have been almost
entirely erroneous; and the accounts which
are furnished of their condition, character,
and habits, we need not say, are highly in
teresting:
A writer in the ST. Louis Republican has
collated very satisfactory account of the
japanese, from which it appears they seem
to possess the virtues Of a Christian civiliza-
ton, and TO be exempt from its vices to an
extent that is quite surprising. NominaHy,
they are, as we should call them, Pagans-
worshippers of dumb idols, and ignorant of
the true God. But in fact they would ap-
pear to be governed by genuine Christian
spirit; and at any rate show many OF the
"good fruits of Christian doctrine They
are peaceful, orderly, sober, cieanly, indus
trious and thrifty people. They seem to be
remarkably happy people. It is suggest
ed as quite probable that one may see among
the 100000 inhabitants of New York city,
more dirt disorder, tumult pauperism and
crime, in q single week, than he would see
In Jendo, with its population Oft is sup
posed to be-2,5o0,0oO, in whole year
That great city has spacious paved streets,
and is kept in the cleanliest condition. The
police, with perhaps small need for such con-
troll, maintains admirable order and quiet
The dwellings, with their surroundings, the
gardens, farms and homestead, are all pat
terms of neatness. Factories are numerous,
and the ingenuity displayed in many of the
manufactures is quite wonderful. Farms
are cultivated with great care and SKILL
There are no beggars, save such as are in
firm or crippled while there is no suffering
from want
Every able-bodied man and woman can,
and in point of fact does, find remunerat-
ing mployment-steady and cheerful in
dustry being the rule, while the absence of
profuse and extravagant expenditure among
all classes, insures to all at least a comfort
able livelihood. Of the economy of the
people, some judgment may be formed from
the statement of Mr.. Harris, the American
envoy of Japan, who gives his opinion that
the Emperor meets bis personal expenses
within $500 year They would seem to
be a peculiarly good-tempered, well-dispos-
easy to live on the best of terms, upon CON
dition that they are treated Justly and hon
orably
Our recent treaty with Japan allows Of
the introduction of the Christian forms of
worship, which have been prohibited, not
without great show of reason, if we mistake
not, for the last two centuries. II is to be
hoped that the restoration of the privilege
once enjoyed will not lead to the conse-
quences which followed them Christen-
dom has, we hope, grown more tolerant and
truly Christian since then. No doubt
Christianity, in its genuine spirit, diffused
among the japanese, would be blessing to
them. But its counterfeit presentment, as
seen in jarring sect5 and wranglipg theolo-
gians, would not be such. Better never q
church or chapel should be reared in
Japan, than such a consequence. Better
that her people should be left to the enjoy
ment of their present enlightenment, civil
ising and happy paganism, than TO be i'm
broiled in the &c holy wars of clashing
sects of nominal Christians.
The treaty, too, authorizes the entry of
Americans into Japan for the purposes of
trade and, we believe of settlement We
trust that under cover of such privilege
neither Walker, nor any of his imitators
will set on foot against Japan what they,
with grim facetiOusness, have a trick of
calling Emigration No spot on earth
deserves such an infiction, save as q pun
ishment for its c.imes. And above all 9TH
ers, Japan seems TO be the least deserving of
it. Such bandits are disgrace to the coun-
try and the age we live in. They are as
bold as .they are atrocious. The tempta-
tions for these free-bootsrs in Japan are no
small ones. The japanese have good deal
of gold and silver, and other articles of
precious and portable wealth 1t should,
therefore, excite no surprise if the telegraph
any morning informs us that the " grey
eyed man of destiny is organizing mot q
banditti, of course, butt an emigration of
farmers and mechanics To settle in Japan
And II our Government shows any signs of
disposition to interfere, doubtless We shall
hear ofthe grey eyed msu at Washington,
trying TO convince Mr.. Buchanan that spears
are pruning-hOoks and swords plough-shares
By this treaty Japan 10 doubt gives q
great deal more than she receives; and it
remains only to hope that the rights and
privileges which the Christian nations have
secured there will not be abused 1t is
hoped-though somewhat against hope
that she viii not exchange the virtues of her
own civilization for the vices of ours
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