The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-11
JAPAN AND IT'S POLICY.

The resignation of the Tycoon and the
assumption of the civil government by the
Mikado mark fourth definite period in the
political history of Japan. In the first,
which extends from Ziumu q. C. 600 to the
first century of the Christian era, the power
OF the Mikado gradually extended itself over
the whole of the empire; and the fendal or
clan system appeared to be giving place to
more centralized form of government
+ The Mikado was not only civil but "a spir-
itual patriarch. The primitive Sintoo feti-
chism which prevailed assigned divine
origin to his authority, and he came to be
worshipped in time as the 50 Son of Heaven
The gradual introduction of the Buddhist
religion into Japan during the second period
extending from the second to the twelfth
centuries of our era-had Il peculiar effect
upon the Mikado's relative functions. To
the Lintor ideal of his sacred character was
added the Buddhist's dogma of the incarna-
ton OF the deity in the power of the sover-
eign. But the sanctity thus attached to the
Mikado gradually tended to produce that
separation between his spiritual and tempo
raj authority which has since been the dis
tinctive feature of japanese government
The japanese people were too energetic
practical and realistic ever to sink quite nm
der the dominion of a priesthood; nor was
the vitality OF the different states or clans at
all favorable to universal sway of the priest
1y element. The Niikados themselves. encr-
waited by Buddhist asceticism, and feeling
this disposition of the masses, were content
to retire from active participation in the af-
fairs of state, leaving those to be administer
ed by their lieutenants, and still retaining
the spiritual reverence of the masses. A pc
Rod of disorder lasting for some generations
marked the weakness of the administration
of these captains general and the close of
this second era in Japanese history The
clan-cheftains grew stronger as the power of
the Mikado and his lieutenants became
weaker; and the feudal system which had
existed before was threatened to he re-estab-
lished throughout the Empire. A new ex-
pedient averted such result. The office of
the Tycoon, or Emperor. was created. and
first assumed in the twelfth century by Yori-
tomo, who had previously been entrusted
with the administration OF the army alone
This officer extended his authority over the
whole field OF the executive. which had been
surrendered by his now spiritualized and
enfeebled soveign, the Mikado. Bv dint of
an active and stenuous will, the first Tycoon
succeeded in again centralising the functions
OF the government within himself so far as
it could be centralized with the consent of
the still powerful Daimios, or chiefs of the
different states. An authority acquired by
force and having no recognized spiritual con-
firmation was contested at last by the latter
with success, and Yoritomos DYNASTY was
overthrown in 1868. The Mlkados prestige
was next sought to be broken but the ceie-
brated Tiako-Sama, follower and General of
the last Tycoon, defeated the attemnt
of the Daimios, and taking the Imperial
government into his own hands. established
it on tirmer basis than that on which it |
had ever before rested. His dynasty was
made hereditary, and he was so far indie |
pendent of the Mikado that he established a |
court OF bis own at Jeddo, and called that |
city his capital. By this time the Mikado |
had degenerated into a mere abstract i'm
PRESERVATION of the spiritual supremacy. en-
Toying nothing except an empty pageant of
divine worship. and receiving occasional visits
0I homage from the Tycoon. Round his court
At Mako the humble Daimios continued to
gather, and enjoyed the useless title of the |
Great Council of Ministers of the Empire
While, however, they had no voice in tho |