The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-01

After an absence of nine months those respecta-
BILE Oriental gentlemen, the japanese ambassadors,
have safely reached home, nothing the worse for
having undertaken so long and so unaccustomed
voyage, and, it is to be hoped, much the better in
respect to the experience they have acquired.
They return to Yeddo also at an opportune mo-
ment; for the great feudal mobiles, who opposed the
opening of Japan to commerce, have seized every
opportunity, since that event, to place obstruc-
tions in the way of carrying out the treaty in its
true intent and meaning. For the most part these
annoyances have resulted in simply restricting the
operations of trade; but in some instances they
have led to brawls with the new corners, in which
blood has been shed. American shippers justly
complain Of the arbitrary and unwarrantable in
terpostion of the official authorities and of the
system of espionage which is still kept up. But,
on the whole, they have had less cause for re-
monstrance than the subjects of other Powers who
have taken up their residence in those ports of Japan
that have been, within the past two years, thrown
open to foreign commerce. We are inclined to atri-
butte the better state of ealing which exists between
the Americans and the Japanese in comparison
with that evinced by the latter towards the Eng
fish, and French and Russians, quite as much to
the diplomatic address of Minister HARRIS as to
any other cause. The British CoRsul-clinging,
perhaps, to an inordnate idea of the dignity of
his position, and disposed to concede nothing to
the prejudices ola people who for more than two
centuries had been excluded from all intercourse
with foreigners excepting the little colony of
Dutch traders at Desima-appears to have had a
standing quarrel with the japanese Government
from the moment of his arrival at Yeddo until the
present time. The French and Russians are
regarded with especial distrust, though why
this should be so is difficult to explain. 1t
is certain, however, that the opposition
to foreigners is led by a powerful party.
at the head of which are several of the Princes
most closely allied by blood to the regning EN-
peror, and that nothing but the apprehension of
provoking war similar to that which but lately
placed the Capital of China at the mercy of the
Allies, prevents the Reactionists from annulling
the treaties and expelling every foreigner
from the Empire. 1t is this dread of re-
taliation alone which holds them in check,
and the proof of this was conclusively shown in
the changed department of the japanese authori.
ties after the treacherous repulse of the British
fotlla by the Taku Forts, about year ago -
They have improved somewhat in courtesy since
the arrival of another Allied feet in the Chinese
waters, but their vindictive feelings still break out
occasionally. The most recent instance of it was
exhibited few days previous to the arrival at
Yeddo of the japanese American Ambassadors, in
the cutting down of an attdche OF the French En-.
bassy, whilst quietly sitting in the courtyard of
the house occupied by the Legation, and in the
presence of the guards who are appointed to pro-
ect the residences and the persons of foreign Off
Gals. This act was coolly and deliberately done
by person of some rank for he was entitled to
wear two swords and it is believed to have been the
work ''of the followers of some prince too power
full for the Government to punish, in the per-
''son of one of his DEPENDENTS The officers
of the Prussan frigates Thetis and Arcona at
anchor in the harbor of Yeddo, whilst trayersinp
the streets Of that city, have several times been
placed in personal danger from assaults which
were made upon them by armed servants of the
vassal princes. Even officers of our own Navy
have not wholly escaped the insults of these AFRO.
giant sword-bearers. Incidents Of this kind, oc-
curing so frequently as they have done, indicate
conclusvely the jealous temper with which the
new commercial treaties is regarded by some of
the most influential of the japanese dignitaries and
the uncertain tenure of our relations with that
Empire. The safe arrival of the Japanese ENJOYS |
at feddo, after so long an Absence appears to
nave created no excitement whatever among these |
singular people. They saw the cortege dsembark
with as much indifference as they would have
witnessed the return of a fishing boat from
cruise among the Islands. But we have no right
to infer from this that the Government was insen-
sible to the Importance of the mission which had
Just been successfully completed, or that the en-
arged experience thus acquired will not bear good
fruit in due time. 1t is difficult matter, at the
BEST, to know how to deal with Oriental nations
whose manners, habits customs and ceremonial
'oservances are so Numerically opposite to those
VI ours. The intellectual development of the ia
paneSe appears to be considerably in advance of
'na' VI 'neir neghbors of China, whilst their
4uickhess OF apprehension is quite remarkable.
But in our dealings with Thorn. il mps, he borrs !
"a nlino 'na' inaay OF the princes and mobiles of
he Empire have fostered during two centuries of
ecusion, bitter animosity against all classes of
oreigners, and that years must elapse before those
)rejudices can be entirely eradicated tt wa. tho
course of events in China which led to the odor.
lou of Liberal policy by Japan; and, as fear was
he handspring of the movement, it will reoure t
much caution and prudence, and perhaps more
han usual forbearance on our part, to soften the
ostile feeling with which the commercial conces-
Ions are regarded. ii