The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-15

assisted on the OCCASION.
The News from .Jnpan-PrOspcct OF nm Exteu.
sive Trade Between that Country and the
United States.
How sweeping are the changes which are
now passing over the world! Fifty years ago
who would have imagined thems It was but
yesterday that we depended for all our know
ledge from the East upon the twelve months
voyages of the English East Indiamen. Later
the Suez route brought the extremes much
closer; but months were still required to elapse
before the intelligence thus conveyed could
reach the United States. How different now!
In yesterdays HERALD we announced the
arrival Of the steamship Colorado. after twenty
eight days sailing from Hong Kong, and nine
teen days sailing from Yokohama. In to-
days HERALD we give full details Of the mer-
camille, political and other intelligence thus
conveyed. Nothing like this has yet happened
in the history of the world. From the estab-
lishment of telegraphio communication between
this city and San Francisco, and from the new
line Of steamers plying between that port and
the ports Of China and Japan, we certainly
looked for startling results. The results, how
ever, have exceeded orr highest expectations.
Japan, hitherto shut out from the rest Of the
world, Is now but nineteen days distant from
New York. Nor is this all. The intelligence
received by us is, on the same day, by means of
the Atlantic cable, flashed to London, to Paris,
to Frankfort and the other European centres.
Formerly we looked to them for news and
waited with impotence for their tardy mails
Now the Europeans look to us, and have to
thank us not merely for news from the Gar
East, but for the first intimation Of important
events TRANSPORTING among themselves The
revolution, in fact, is complete. It is no longer
fiction, but fact no longer an exaggeration,
but sober truth, to say that New York, for all
purposes Of practical intelligence, is the centre
Of the world.
The news from Japan-to be found In
special despatch in another columns
deeply interesting. II confirms the intel
ligence formerly received-that Japan is
now the scene Of great moral and political
revolution. Not so much that violence is
being done to any of the ancient and cher
ished Institutions Of that country-not on that
account, although there has been and still Is
very considerable excitement, but because
principles are now at work which must ulh-
mately break down the moral and political
systems on which society there Is based, and
through which the people have hitherto enjoyed,
in their own quiet and easy way, fair amount
of contentment and prosperity. European
thought and enterprise intensified and, as il
appears, made more agreeable by passing
through an American channel, and from their
being identified with the great and growing
republic across the great waters, have found
their way into japan and are producing already
their natural fruits. The barriers Of exclusiveism
are yielding one by one. 1t was something for
the Tycoon to send his brother to Paris I; it was
something to send an embassy TO the United
States. But the revelations made by our special
correspondent prove that these events but
feebly indicate the extent to which modern
ideas are making themselves felt among that
ancient but hitherto comparatively unknown
people. In most prncely style the leading
representatives Of the different foreign en-
bassies were recently entertained by the
Tycoon at Osaca. The banquet was gotten
up and conducted after the most approved
European fashion. The Tycoon, who, with all
his sympathics for this country, has not yet be-
come convert 10 one Of the latest dogmas OF
New England Puritanism, proposed and drank
in the most handsome manner the health Of
President Johnson. From the description
given he seems to be q sensible, intelligent,
good-looking fellow. He has our best wishes.
May he be the instrument Of starting his coun-
try on career large and lasting prosperity
1t will be gratifying to many to learn that
the Tycoon has expressed himself as pleased
with the growing intercourse between his own
people and the people Of the United States
The new line Of steamers Of which the Colorado
is one came in for special praise. A few days
later he gave proof Of the sincerity Of his senti
ments and Of the statesmanlike policy which
he intends 10 pursue by publicly and formally
setting apart large portion Of land, about
twelve miles from 0saca, for the settlement Of
foreigners II is impossible TO predict what
great things may grow out Of this small begin
ming. In country like Japan the monarch Il
powerful for good or for evil The Tycoon's
will 10 the will Of The people. japan. then. 70