The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1860-06-30
The Japanese.

lie of the Western Woodland must have
acquired by this time pretty clear in
sight into the manners, customs, and habits
of it's people-at least enough to form a
tolerably fair judgement of Yankeedom.
Their mission, we believe, is purely CON-
mercial one, and has been accomplished to
the seeming satisfaction of Brother Jona-
than. Whatever these celestial gentlemen
may feel or think, may be better ascer-
tanned after they shall have reached their
own country and published their book of
travels.
One thing is evident to the intelligent
American--that these colored men Of the
East are intelligent, refined, and talented
gentlemen, from proud and high-minded
people; and the several insults and acts of
rudeness to which they have been subject
ed by the rude masses Of our countrymen,
have been not merely distasteful, but
highly disgusting to them, and will tend in
no small degree to make an impression SO
unfavorable as to very likely extend away
into the empire of japan. All this has
been seen and felt, although every pre-
caution has been taken to keep American
rudeness down for a few weeks at least,
but with Indifferent success "Nigger,"
monkey" "better looking niggers at
home" and such classical pressions, would
come out on every convenient occasion.
Especially was this true during their stay
in the South at that mean appendage to it,
Philadelphia. Their treatment has been
little more respectful since their arrival
in New York, where it is better understood
how to treat strangers whose skins are not
bleached and in whose blood no Caucasian
blood is known to flow
What other country in the civilized world
but this would make the color of the skin
the basis of all manner of insult and wrong?
What other people than the American peo-
pie would make the color of mans skin
the subject Of contumely and coarse ridi-
Guile, no matter what his rank, station, in
telligence, or high moral worth? But so
i is, and it will take long while and ma
ny homiiies from the interested press be-
fore we shall be freed from our coarse vul-
garity and ridiculous grossness in these re-
spects.
The "New York Herald" which seems
to have deep interest in Japan and the
Japanese, has completely turned preacher
ofmorals and manners and expositor of ct
iquette, since the advent of these Eastern
gentlemen; but it seems to us that it would
have been better to have began little
earlier in the day and little nearer at
home to have been successful in its ardu-
GUS labors. 1t is difficult matter to put
on either morals or manners for few hours
and for special occasions, such as the ia
panese visit calls for. Learn to respect
the colored people in our midst, and we
will know how to respect those from
abroad
The Herald" takes special care to eau
ton the American ladies about manners
and general department at the balls and
various receptions given in honor of the
distinguished colored visitors, and to which,
perchance, said ladies may be invited.
Hear this new advocate on morals and
manners:
Special police arrangements should be made to
keep order about the doors We are aware how
ever, that even the best police is powerless
against crinoline mob, and we therefore call up
on the women of New York to preserve the fair
fame of the city, already vindicated by the events
of Saturday, and go to the matinee as quietly, or
even more so, as they would to a fashionable we'd
ding. Above all, let them remember that none
but the very lowest class Of Japanese women ever
behave as the Washington bellies deported them
selves during the stay of the embassy in the fed
sral capital. In our country the softer sex are
LrSSF Lndu any where else III the NOFlu. l0ls cir
eumstance should make them the more careful
not to abuse their privileges.
The same line of conduct should be observed at
the ball, which will be most novel spectacle for
the Japanese. The varied costumes, from the
rich uniforms of the officers of the army and ma
w down to the dress-ceat de rigneur of the pri-
vate gentleman-the clouds Of lace and silk and
muslin, and all manner Of crinoline adornments-
the wonderful dances, to many Of us as incompre-
hensible the japanese language itself-will make
up an ensemble which cannot fail to please the
bassadors hugely
If our fair friends wish to have good name in
Niphon, and perhaps some day assist at the we'd
ding ola Western houri with an Eastern prince
compared to which affair the diamond wedding
would sink into utter insignifcance-the should
treat the Japanese as well-bred ladies should APP
proach foreign dignitaries of the highest rank for
the first time. Then the glory of New York So
ciety shall penetrate to the green isles beyond
Al. L