New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-16
OF exctapgsble articles that have yet been bit upon
il appears to be gradually increasing.

Of excbapgsble articles that have yet been bit upon
it appears to be gradually increasing.
The selection Of the United States a. tho frss
Government with which to open the most intimate
relations ia more than q more compliment The
Japanese are too shrewd people to prefer COM
pliments without good reason. II is fact which
they are not likely to forget that of all their visit
ors only the Americans have sho Vn proper regard
for their rights aud their feeliogs. Against the
Portuguese, Dutch, Engliih, and Russians, the
Japanese have reasonable cause for complaint. All
these nations have, at different times, violently
inteIfered with their systems, and sought to break
barshy through, rather than to remove, their ira
ditional prejudices. The Japanese, too, are per-
fectly familiar with the rapid progress and the
power of the United States and are well disposed
to seek their first alliance with nation ASSOCIATED
80 far az their affairs are concerned, from those
European powers which they still regard with more
or less dstrust.
This visit could not have been permitted without
complete revulsion of the Japanese policy When,
two hundred and fifty years ago, foreigners were
swept from the country, on account Of their AFRO
CANT temper, and the alleged plot of the Portuguese
TO overthrow the Government, laws were put in
force decreeing death to any native who should
leave the islands. A short time BEFORE however,
religious mission had been sent to Rome by Japan
ese Prince; which shows the original policy Of the
Government to have been different. Ia order TO
more effectively preserve their seclusion, no ships
were after this allowed to be built without the open
stern, 30 that long voyages became impossible.
For many reasons, some of them involving the en-
tire machinery Of the Government, an important
law once proclaimed cannot be set aside, except Dy
means SO hazardous that the high officials shrink
from attempting it. And thus, during all TINS
while, the law has remained unaltered, ana us OK
tinction at this time must necessarily produce an
entire change in the social and political condition
of the people. 1t seems that the most perleos
freedom of intercourse with the outer world must
inevitably follow.
The embassy having touched at San Francisco,
Consul Harris's recommendation that large and ex-
citing places shall be avoided until after the recep-
ton at Washington is no longer of force and it is
uncertain where the guests will first be introduced.
II is, of course, proper that they should be con-
ducted as early possible, to the seat of the Gov
eminent. Something has been suggested as to the
expediency of showing certain Difference to their
customs. Such course would not be fiattering to
them, nor wise in US. The japanese will at once
perceive the wide difference between the habits OF
this. country and their own, and they have wit
enough to understand it fully. 1t may cause them
q momentary thrill of amazement to find that the
President does not wear two swords, and that his
visitors do not signify their presence by rapping
with their foreheads upon the floor. But they are
exceedingly quick Of apprehension, and will soon
enough accommodate themselves to all circum-
stances. Their sojourn here ought to be very
pleasant one. They will find plenty of occupation
for their brisk stenographers, who work by an admir-
able method. In the matters Of delicate courtesy,
dignity neatness, and keen sense of personal honor,
they will probably not find their own standard
equaled-for the Japanese are the most elegant,
the ceanest, and the strctest in punctilio of any
people; but in other respects we may be able to
show them few things that viii delight and instruct
them, and enable them to return home with toll
erably expanded view of their Deighbors.