The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-07
Japanese Progress.

Far East in regard to the moral and physical
condition of the people of Japan. 1t may
he remembered that when that country was
| first reopened to foreigners few years ago
the accounts given of the habits and GUS
toms which there prevail pointed rather to
Measure as the end pursued than to moral
law as the guide obeyed. In particular
Europeans were struck with the arrange
ments of the "tea- houses" Sir Rutherford
Alcock on his journeys in the interior was
either so profoundly impressed with the
impropriety of this system, or else was so
fearful of the temptations to which 1t might
expose him, that he refused to put up at
these establishments, though they are the
only hotels for travellers of all descriptions,
and required the Government to provide him
with separate accommodation. Judged by
European ideas, the freedom of manners
which prevails in Japan naturally leads to
conclusions unfavorable to the morality of
the people, and disposes one to believe the
statements which are made as to their
physical deterioration. This is the subject
on which controversy has arisen in Shanghai,
the Chinese port nearest to pan.
The discussion was originated by DR.. Nc
Gowan, an American who was once mis-
sionary at Ningpo, but is now engaged in
the secular work of commissioner for the
East India Telegraph Company. He lately
read a statistical paper befre the Asiatic
Society at Shanghai, in which he averred
that unrestrained RIGHTEOUSNESS and uni
versal taint' existed among the japanese,
and that these two causes are both decreas-
ing the numbers and quality of their popu-
lation. So rapidly, however, has the press
advanced in these paris of the world of late
years that this statement, being inserted in
the Chinese version of Shanghai paper, was
Immediately replied to by native japanese.
who wrote in the old Chinese Character,
which is understood both in Japan and by
the better educated in China. 1t is worthy
of notice that the chivalrous sons of Niphon
are beginning to exchange their long swords
for the pen as means of controversy, and it
is not to be wondered at that even the latter
instrument should still in their hands have a
martial flourish about it. DR.. McGowan's
opponent writes very CONTEMPORARY of the
doctors knowledge of Japan, and states
that, if the accusation were known in Japan,
the youth of that coutry would, without ex-
ception, rush to arms in order to avenge the
insult.
Unfortunately neither Of the controversial
lists gives sufficient grounds for his conclu-
sions. DR.. Macgowan simply asserts that
the population of the country has been great
ly over-estimated that he thinks it is not
more than sixteen millions "a ridiculous I'M
der estimate.) and that it has formerly been
much greater, and is still decreasing; after
which he assigns RIGHTEOUSNESS as the guilty
cause. The japanese, on the other hand, as
serts that the population of his country is
nearer fifty than sixteen millions, and is
quite as large as it ought to be. There may
be some truth in DR.. Macgowan's statement,
but it is almost invariably allowed by trav-
oilers that the japanese men generally are
strong and active, while the women are
healthy and good-looking. These charac-
teristics are hardly reconciliable with DR..
averment, and in the last few
years the Japanese have shown remarkable
energy and practicable talent in adopting
and using Western inventions.
We have list of eighty European and
American vessels, almost all steamers, which
have been purchased by the Japanese Gov
and by individual diamios since 1859
when the potts were opened, and many of
these steamers are entirely manned and off
cered by japanese. The Prince of Satsuma
alone purchased seventeen steamers for pur-
poses of war and trade, and, not content
with what has been already done in this
way, the Government has ordered in Europe
and America a number of monitors and 9TH
er iron-clad vessels. The steamers already |
purchased have cost the Japanese rather |
more than seven millions and half of Mex
can dollars, or about e1.200,00G sterling,
Instead of showing decaying race, this |
would seem to indicate revival of the mar
atime spirit fer which the japanese were
formerly distinguished,and which, few cen
.uries ago, brought their vessels to the coasts
If China and Malaysia, and even into In
lian seas and across the Pacific to the shores
Of Western America. They have also es-
'ablished at Nangasaki expensive machine
shops expressly for the repair of their steam
ers, and Prince Satsuma in particular, who
vas disposed to fight with US at one time.
has taken great pains to develop the re-
sources of his principality and of the Lew
chew islands by the introduction of cotton
Mills, sugar mills and other machinery. He
las gone so far even as to cause work on
he Law of Storms" to he published for the
lse of his sea-going subjects.
A considerable impulse, it may be safely
expected, is about to be given to our trade
~ the opening of the ports of Hiogo and
Osaka. Sir Harry Parkes, her Majestys
olenipotentiary. has just issued a notification
n which he states that the japanese author
ties are now fully prepared to open to Brit
sh subjects On the first day of January the
tiles of Yedo'and Osaka, the port of Hiogo,
nd another port on the west coast I'm
oubtediy Hiogo, which is at the east end
# the inland sea of Japan, and only ten
niles from the great commercial emporium {
Osaka, will soon eclipse Yokohama, and be
he principal port for commercial intercourse
With the Japanese. A number OF other facts
lso go to prove that the treaty Powers have
ow acquired a secure position in the coun-
ry, and that European civilization is there
roked upon with respect and even admira-
ion. The old war party, which encouraged
ssassinations and wished to close the coun-
~ against foreigners, has disappeared for ;;
ne present. The fighting which goes on,
nd the ornaments which are being collec- :
ed, have reference not to foreigners, but to
ne quarrels Of the dalmios among them s
Elves, and with the government of Stols-
ashi, the Shiogoon. These domestic squab- )
les are no doubt uncomfortable enough, but {
n the whole we have reason to be satisfied t
18th our present relations with the Jap |
lese.
Unification of Gold Coin, ,
The Department of State has received from y