The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-05-27

caused the detection Of powerful Prince and
his division on the field, and the development
of the fact, that even the Shogoon would not
contend against the sacred banner of the Mi
kado, no matter by what means 1t came to be
at the head of an army.
1t is evident that the position of the Mika-
do and his functions in the Japanese polity,
have never been fully appreciated by foreign
ers He seems to hold the place of god as
well as that of Sovereign in the eyes of the
religious sentiment of the Empire, and DISC
bedience is not only rebellion, but impiety.
Instances in history are not wanting TO match
this subsection of the temporal to the spirit
nal power.
Although it is certain that the Mikado is
under restraint, that his DEGREES are but the
DEGREES of Satsuma and Choisu, who issue in
his name whatever suits their own political
purposes, yet this is not argued by any of the
northern Daimios as an excuse for opposing
him.
This reverence is a wonderful revelation of
japanese character The shadow of name
wields the substance of an invincible power,
and Stotsbashi the Shogoon flies from the
field, gives up his regal power, divests him
self of his authority, rather than fight against
a standard around which clusters the super
stition of ages.
With the Mikado's flag, Satsuma carries
seven-eighths of all the power in the coun-
try, and those who fight against it are deem
ed atheists, and are posted outlaws.
| The result of the civil war so far is, that
the confederate Daimios have possession of
Kioto and all the Southern provinces. On
the 9th Of Fob., envUy from HE Imperial
Majesty the Mikado was received by the For
eign Ministers at Hiogo, who announced that
a new system of government had been estab-
lished, by which the office of Shogoon was
abolished; the Mikado himself henceforth
takes direct and entire charge of the Empire.
Satsuma and Choisa have been ordered to
take charge of the foreign settlements, and
the strictest orders have been given to avoid
giving offence to the foreigners. The Gus
tom House officers of the Mikado have re-
placed those of the Shogoon in the southern
ports, and will do so in Yokohama and the
northern ones when the civil war is over.
The new government processes the utmost
friendship TO foreigners, and will assume all
the treaty obligations entered into by the
Shogoon. But whether the Shogoon will
yield his Office without further effort remains
yet to be seen.
His troops are being concentrated about
Yeddo, and with the arrival of the StoneiOaH,
he will have a vessel which may defy the ut
most power of his enemies. 1t is thought
by the Japanese newspapers that the notiii
cations issued by the Ministers, forbiddiDg
the sale of arms to either party or to either
government, means that Gen. Van Valken-
burg will not deliver over the StoaeiCdH to
Stotsbashi. But as we understand the posi-
ton of the vessel, she was delivered over to
the Shogoon's officers in the United States,
and when she was in Honolulu she was under |
the japanese flag, and her officers and crew,
except the Captain, were in the Japanese |
service. Her delivery, therefore, is an accom- |
plished fact, and not dependent on the state
of affairs in Japan.
The intention of the Shogoon is not yet /
clear. His ability to reverse his disasters and |
reinstate his authority, are still within his
power, but his disposition is pacific, and his
policy averse to bloodshed. His acceptance
of the Shogoonate, which was forced upon
him, was with the avowed purpose of con-
riliating the opposing parties, which were
rending the Empire with their dissensions,
and with the hope to adapt the public policy
and soften prejudices of the Japanese to the
new order of things consequent upon open
ing the country to foreign intercourse.
He must keenly feel the desertion of the
foreign powers with which be entered into
treaty relations, in this day of his trouble.
These have all gone to Osaca, to court the
rising sun of the Mikado.
Our Consul at Yokohama belie,es that the
Shogoon, if he choose to fight it out, would
conquer the southern Daimios, but that he is
lverse TO shedding blood, and has already
caused many of his officers to commit hara-
siri to prove their attachment to him. Should
yet win the day and procure the
release of the Mikado from the clutches of
he southern Daimios, there is no doubt but
hat his government would become power
ul, and foreign interest be fostered and pro-
ected. But Stotsbashi is ahead of his time
r /
people.