The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-15

Oh
the members present. The Senate then addressed
ITSELF as in duty bound, to the more important
matters of Kansas and the Cincinnati platform,
and Mr.. IyERsoN took no further part in the pro-
ceedings, being content with having consigned
himself to posterity in the company of the inelli-
gent individual, whom SYDNEY Smith remembered
to have heard speaking dsrespectfully of the
Equator. Were he not the representative of SOW
ereign State, we should insist upon his being
tried by jury of school-mstresses who could not
do less than sentence him to solitary confinement,
for month, in the National Observatory, and a
course of lectures at the Smithsonian Institute
with the use of the globes. We especially refrain
from pressing the inficton of this penalty now,
inasmuch as Mr.. IvERsoN has a colleague in the
House who christened JOSHUA, and we fear
that he might use his influence with that gentle
man to have the eclipse put a stop to altogether.
At noon yesterday the japanese Ambassadors
and their suite-numbering in all seventy-one
| persons-reached Washington in the steamer Phil
adelphia, and disembarked at the Navy-yard. They
were received, on landing, with all those imposing
ceremonies which were alike due to their rank, and
|
sion of peace and good will. The arrangements
necessary to this end were entrusted to Com
mandant BUCHANAN, and the naval officers now
on duty on that station, through whom invita-
| tons we're extended to members of Congress
and to the municipal authorities at Washington
| to be present on this novel and interest
ing occasion. After a cordial welcome TO
these guests of the Government, they with their
| long train of sub-officials and servitors were
installed in their quarters at WILLARD S Hotel, an
entire wing of which has been fitted up in hand
some style, and with due regard to the obser-
vance of that privacy and secusion which the Gus
toms of Japan exact ON the part of persons of dig
nifty. A delicate courtesy has, therefore, been
| evinced towards these strange visitors from the
| islands of Eastern Asia, in providing them with
''parors, recepton-roons, drawing-rooms Offices,
'sleeping-rooms, bathng-rooms, dressing-rooms,
''barber's and tailors shops, kitchens, pantres,
"store-rooms,' and quiet nook where, if they so
will it, they can erect shrine for religious wor
ship Coming to as they do as the representa-
tives of people who have been almost wholly ex-
cluded from any social, political, or commercial
intercourse with other nations for upwards of two
centuries their arrival may be regarded as the in
auguraton not only of a new epoch in the history
of Japan but also as the first step towards the
opening up of new fields of commerce in the Indian
Ocean, and along the western shores of the Pacific
For the prosecution of commercial adventures in
that densey populated part of the globe, our geo.
graphical position gives Us an immense advantage
over European competitors. The stormy passage
around Cape Horn, and the tortuous navigation of
the Straits of Magellan, be avoided by lines of
ocean steamers starting from San Francisco and
stretching across the Pacific to the Islands of the
Indian Archipelago to Australia, 10 Japan, to
the new Russian settlements on the Amoor River
to Cochin China-against whose walls French
cannon have recently been discharging their iron
missiles-and the Flowery land itself, where hos
tile fleets are even now assembling to enforce that
respect for treaties, which HIEN-FUN the Emperor
of all the Celestials, has most sgnally failed in
well known instances to observe. The Tycoon, of
Japan, on the contrary, sends his ENJOYS to us in
charge of an unsigned copy of the treaty which
Mr.. TOWNSEND HARRIS, by his skill, sagacity and
good fortune was successful in making with that
government-the original copy in English, bear
ing the signature Of President BUCHANAN, having
been destroyed by the great fire at Yeddo. How
ever jealousy the japanese may have isolated
themselves, in times past, from all intercourse
with foreigners, and however difficult it may have
| been for Commodore PERRY and Mr.. TOWNSEND
HARRIS to induce the old ''frog-in- party,
which so long held control of the government, to
grant permission TO American vessels to trade at
certain ports of the Empire it is evident that when
| radical change of policy was finally resolved
| upon, and the barriers of exclusiveness were
| broken down, it the intention of the TY-
| COON, and of the Council of Princes, to
carry out that policy in good faith.
| That checks and hindrances should have
| been subsequently inerposed, was nothing more
| than might have been anticipated. The sweeping
nature of the reforms that were instituted the
sudden influx of foreign traders the eager de.
mand for the products and manufactures of Japan,
the smaller value placed by the japanese upon
gold coin when compared with silver, or its
standard value as recognized by all other nations
and very possibly the free and somewhat reckless
bearing of the new corners, must naturally have
| tended to create some perturbation among the
| people, and some uneasiness in the Government
But that the members composing the Admnstra-
tive Council were not influenced by reactonary
spirit is evident from the fact that they sanctioned
the appointment of the present Embassy, and de-
sire to possess another English copy of the treaty
with President BUCHANAN's signature appended,
| to replace the one that was burned. The wish
| moreover to strengthen the friendly relations
which now exist between the two countries is
apparent in sending Ambassadors to the UNITED
STATES, while declining to recognize the claims
of England TO a similar distinction. Under these
circumstances it is gratifying to know that Con-
gress, by liberal appropriation, has placed it
within the power of the EXECUTIVE to receive the
Embassy in fitting manner. 1t is from the re-
port which shall be given of us by its members
on their return home, that we shall hereafter be
judged There are those among them who are
known TO be keen-eyed, sagacious, and observant
ready alike with pen and pencil and as acute
to detect our faults and foibles, to appreciate
| our nobler qualities. Differing as we do from
| them in manners, customs, habits and institu-
tons, they can scarcely fail to be surprised at
many things that are at variance with their own
pre-conceved notions Of what is best for people;
but, at the same time, they will see much that
will indoctrinate them with new views, and with
a more profound respect for that progressive
spirit which, in its noblest expression, has con-
verted forests into pasture-lands and fields Of
waving grain; has cloven pathway for the loco
| motive through mountain-harriers; crowded our
mighty rivers and inland lakes with swift-sailinp
steamers; draped the land with telegraphic wires.
and filled our machine shops and factories with
| operatives. 1t is due 10 them and TO us-after
| the formal reception is over which takes place on
| Wednesday next-that they should be shown all
these things under the judicous guidance of agents
| appointed by the Government But if we have
| any desire to impress them with favorable idea
| of our social habits, let us pay some regard, at
least, to their fastidious notions by sparing them
the infection of corporation speeches and corpora
i ton dinners.
| NoLANDT's CONCERT THIS EvENING.-It has been
some time since citizens had an opportunity of
| hearing our artists in the concert-rOom This
evening Volandts band, consisting of number of
| musicians, of whom any community may feel
| proud, will give grand concert at the New As
sembly Rooms. The programme presents most
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