The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-08
The Revolution In Japan.

0 hosOautkOu IN Shpaus
Dispatches received in London from Shanghae
represent the revolution in Japan as having
assumed new phase Twelve of the most
powerful Daimios had formed combination
against the Mikado or Spiritual Emperor, and
it was generally believed that as natural
consequence the restoration of internal tran
quillity had been indefinitely deferred. This
news is all the more startling that previous
dispatches had informed US that the Mikado
party had been completely successful and
that the Tycoon had abandoned the struggle
and voluntarily humbled himself.
This news convinces US that Japan is pass
ing through an ordeal which may prove much
more protracted and severe than was at first
anticipated. 1t is all but certain now that the
struggle will become fercer and the condition
of the country more chaotic than ever Japan
at the present moment is in o condition not
itself when the old feudal system broke up and
the States system which succeeded began to
acquire form and consistency. No Louis the
Eleventh has as yet appeared in Japan; but it
is not an impossiblity that the revolution in
its course may develop one OF the Mikado
we know really nothing, personally. A mere
boy in the hands of the Daimios and subject
entirely to their will, he has not yet had any
opportunity of revealing his individuality.
The Tycoon, however, is a known character
a man of spirit, energy and intelligence. The
encouragement given to foreigners to settle in
Japan, and the disposition which he has all
along evinced to cultivate friendly relations
with the outside world prove that he is the
only man in the country who understands the
spirit of the age. The Tycoon, for the
present, is defeated and disgraced. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether he will not re-
do for Japan what Louis the Eleventh
did for France. A little boldness and
some success would be certain to secure
for him not merely the countenance and sup
port of the great nations, but to rally around
him the mobiles and the leading spirits of the
inevitably doomed. 1t cannot possibly sur
vive. The one important question is, who
is to bring order out of this confusion
We may rest assured that If the deliverer is
not found in the person Of the Tycoon the de-
liverer will not be wanting. We have no faith
at all in the permanent success of the Mikado
party. 1t represents q system out of which
life has already fed and past which cannot
oe recalled. Louis the Eleventh did much to
extend the power of the French monarchy at
the cost of the feudal lords by reviving the
old Roman system of post roads. The man
who ID to play the part of Louis the Eleventh
in japan has far grander agencies to employ in
the shape of steam, railroads and electricity.
Revolutions never 60 back. Japan has, I'M
questionably, great future before her, but
between her and that future there may be
much suffering, much toll, much bitter and
testing experience. Japan presents to the
philosopher and the student of history one oil
the most interesting studies Of modern times.
Meanwhile we wait for the man. A Louis the
Eleventh or a Richelieu-either would be
equal to the emergency