The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-15
Western Civilization Transplanted to
Japan.

Western Civilization Transpla ated 20
Japan.
There is no more aggressive race In the
world than the Anglo Saxon, and by no other
race have the primitive inhabitants of this
world suffered so much. 1t has been suffering
to the death. Look at the British colonies
in America, Africa, India, the Pacific Islands
and Australia, and where are the aboriginal in
habitants, or what is their condition? They are
either extinct or dwindling rapidly towards ex-
tinction, and as wretched and degraded as the
vices of civilization can make them. And what
did ciyilization-that Wanted civilization Of
ours-ever leave behind it among the commu-
mites belonging to savagedom which II So.
vagely invaded We say savagely in no un-
due haste, but after careful review
of the links in the long chain Of crimes
which is grimIy traceable throughout the his
tory Of colonization. The river and region
where the city Of Melbourne now stands were
only discovered in 1885, at which time the
country swarmed with aborigines; yet of the
three tribes that peopled the districts for fifty
miles around net single individual remains.
Their closing history is melancholy in the ex-
treme, and at the same time 1t carries with 1t q
burning reproach to the eolonists and the civil
lization to which they claimed to belong; but
their conduct was unworthy of civilized beings,
and such as in the land of their birth would
have led them to the scaffold. The natives
were shot, poisoned, driven from their own
territory to make war on neighboring tribes,
and finally, after being tainted with the vices
and diseases of the white man, left to perish of
hunger and exposure.
The same wonderful tale applies more or less
to all the British colonies, and not those only,
but wherever the white man has encroached
upon the domains of aboriginalism We can
hardly compare the Japanese with the South
Sea Islanders, North American Indians or
New Zealanders; but we perceive with the ut
most regret that our own countrymen and
Europeans resident in japan are invading
the rights and prejudices of the Japanese in
manner which, to use the mildest possible Ian
guage, is highly reprehensible. Our remarks
in the present instance are suggested by an
article that appeared in the Paris Pdtrie, and
a translation Of which Will be found in another
part of this days issue. We might unfortu-
nately quote incidents enough to shock the phi
lanthropist with respect to the conduct of Euro
peans and Americans in Japan, and
even those accredited by their cwn govern
ments as Consuls. We have heard of the
proceedings of the British Consuls at
Jeddo and Kanagawa with as much surprise
as indignation, particularly as the circum-
stance of one foreigner committing crimes or
indiscretions tends to injure all the other
foreigners in the country Every Incorporate
act committed by a European or American is
a good argument in favor of the conservative
party in the empire, which is very hostile to
opening the country to foreign intercourse.
And where the intemperance is displayed by
accredited officials the effect is much greater
than If committed by private individual; for,
the Japanese would say, ''if the Consuls re-
spect neither our property nor our persons,
neither woman's honor nor the sanctity of the
altar, what will the adventures who are under
no restraint or obligations whatever do when
they crowd upon us?"
At present. we must admit that religion,
justice and decency have been outraged by
lOIcSuSl5 AL Japan, "Au wills 10 oh Ia
justice to the Western nations, disgraceful
to themselves, and as foolish as it is
sinful. The day may come when the
Japanese will retaliate in wrath, and we could
not say that they would not be justified in in
ficting the chastisement. We know the ag-
gressive, domineering spirit Of the Anglo
Saxon; but let our countrymen and the Eng
lish in japan take warning in time. Lawless-
ness and libertinism may BE carried a pitch
too far, and fearful retribution be the result.
Those who forget the better principles and
customs that regulated their conduct at home
when they 60 abroad, and who neglect no OPP
portunity of making themselves obnoxious to
those upon whose protection they are de.
pendent for their very lives, are enemies of
their country, and can have no more respect
for themselves than others can have respect for
them.
FORMAL CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF
he ~, hos. 10 Al lunx