Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-12-13

H~"ti"e, CoHotituIiOn. Line COmmlG-
tee on Education was ordered. to en-
quire as to tho oxpodiency Of cstab-
fishing a system Of schools which will
socure education to all classes of
youths. '~.
Gen. Schofiold and staff were invi-
ted TO the privileges Of the floor.
A resolution favoring the repeal of
the cotton tax, rs to this years crop
was laid on the table. Adj ournod till
Monday.
"KA;aA K1Ru" HOW IT Is: PERFORMED
The Japanese hold that death, un-
der any circumstances, is to be pre-
terred to dishonor. Whonevcr tho
privileged classes 60 on q journey
they carry with them the robes worn
and the knife used at the performance
OF kara-kiru-.thus testifying to their
readiness to die rather than degrade
their families or themselves. White
is the mourning color of japan. 1t is
the only color used at funerals. Eli
quote prescribes that white robo
and "harakAma," or winged official
dress, should oo worn when hara-leiru
is. performed. The. disembowoliLg
knife is about eight inches in length,
and very. sharp.
When tho official document author
izing culprit 10. perform hara.kiru is
made out and duly signed by compe-
tont authorities, it is delivered o7er to
two commissioners, who are directed
to deliver it "to whom ii may ON
cern." 1t sometimes happens that
this is a dangerous duty to perform.
For, if tho selected victim is daimio
of sufficient power defy the tycoon,
these messengers arc of.en wayiaid
and assassinated- by his friends
Hence stratagems arc rcsortod to in
order to secure the safety Of the com
niissionors and the delivery of tho
\ documents.
is noteworthy that, if tho docu--
ment is once delivered, no matter by
what tricks, aua no matter how pow
.erfal: the soIcot~ victim, the prince
never thinks Of dsfying the ordar, be.
cause 80 strongly: arc the Japanese
imbuod With respect for Tho ancient
custom Of their country, hewould lose
cast with his most dvyoted followers
by doing so. : -. 81 r-, ~
When tho victim teceices his SEN
tence he gives notice Of it to his
friends, ard insices them to sharo. a
parting carouse-wtth him. Ftoy
come7on the day .appointud by tho
Commissioners, and after III, victim
has biddsn. bis family farewoiI,l he. re-.
crives them, and thcy banquet togetl:-
:. . er. Their host is dressed in white
robts, and: is. Supported b.: his Two
4 ministers. Or relatives; ;:who arc .simi-
larry attired5- When. tho hour fixed
for hara-kiru arrives the victim, takes
: leave Of bis.ggaests as if nothing unuz
al was to happen--prce,seIy rs The
parts with 'themsen any ordinary oc-
casion--and then. be. rotires within, a
screehed enclosure. in company with
his TWO. .supporters. Tho retainsrs
whe .gaafd this. enclosure are bars
: footedsas a msrlasof respect. TO tho
,solo'antty Of the. occasion and the
;: rauk o. tho ;cnlprit,@:ahe .ea .ami,;-
> sionsrs thon read the %fstai document.
It Announces that, ID aaccofaanco with
: tho. ancient eds:oos OF the. .:esn6try
the <dianiio ispermittcd 'honorably to
:. sac, iace bimse!f and thereby to.gex-
!, E:pe:iats in his Own pefson, tho crime
) or offsnee he has eer,a.nitted: against
The welfare IF. the State =: IT., .
It Opposite 70 the two oommaissioner.
= sits the vic.in; on either. side; at i
9; Short distaaoe, sits. Que Of supporters
". willie The. .snite.of tho Tycoou's, mas.
Fl songers surrosnd Them eta respectla
), Distance: Thsy are all, clad, in .hei
s:kofHeial ,roues. .The .s,ffte of the, com
!. sInissfopefs; then reeite inta an, sdloia.
,e ing compartment I 4 so,f o,f thg. th snelessrs
u !ssyi.og ifesr ;persops' to. ;ritaess Is
ia F'aat eee1e, sxelaaiye OF. the .exsehtlsn
i. eF,; sbo is harafooU daaa pinned WIT
IA Ia sword: t,s::..sf: =.
II .nif. oaphshtss q rssps sasibl ssSr s,; Is d
70 ssatehsgts th q 4 hi tbs1 u 1ans
W seeao:9..~ -. FRA .es ss.,ts. )
Se "Tbisnosofiens nstlipa sof saicid
TO Ehasof late: :yesst RsS asomswbs
al modsasd aoaSas isensLs,
aI1 sn tiet e aaisl ab5 oasd rippIa,
S. which nssss haye bsAn tAinoss' as d;
Or agrssfb1s sn npstatlois 10 Witness ayt 1