The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-01-15

still reigned supreme in their respective ter
ritories. There the authority of the Tycoons
could not affect them. and from thence, be-
ing in most direct communication with the
people and the Mikado, they have ever since
exerted formidable influence against the
strong government sought to be established
by the Tycoons above them and their vassals.
The successors of TaikoSama were SO gener.
ally iaferior to that ruler in intelligence and
tirnness, that the Daimios held their, own In
| the one respect, and have been besides Slow
ly rehabilitating in their capacity OF minis
tiers, the original supremacy OF the Mlkado.
During late years, there were several lnstan'
ces in which questions affecting the interest
Of the Empire and decided upon Ivy the ~
coon in way obnoxious to the particular
| interests of single States, were again discuss
ed and decided upon by the Court at Mia
lxo in way to force the tycoon to alter or
abandon his policy and even to discharge
| his ministers. This inexact distribution OF
| political power in Japan has been the source,
not of internal troubles, but of many of the
| difficulties experienced by foreign powers in
their negotiations with the Japanese author
tiles. ~. ...s. ..,4,,.....-.- .js'-,.s
| The exclusive policy which the Japanese
| had maintained from the time of the election
of the Portuguese, two hundred years ago,
up to the period of the treaty with the
| American minister in 1854, was partially
overcome then by an appeal to their fears
The brutal conduct of the English toward
China, and the threats used by British
agents in regard to IL similar action in the
case of Japan were not, indeed, repeated by
our minister on behalf of the United States
government. They were simply alluded to
as reasons why the Japanese ports should
be thrown open to friendly power in order
to prevent trouble with Great Britain or
France In giving his consent to such a
treaty with the United States, the Tycoon
had in his mind-as it has been conclusive
ly shown-the subterfuges that might be
adopted in the future to render the engage
ment null. From the first his authority to
conclude negotiation so important in its
bearing upon the general policy OF the whole
empire was open to question, and his acts
liable to be repudiated by the council OF the
Mikado and the hostility of the great
Daimios The latter three or four hundred
in number, with the AIikado at their head,
were nearly all incensed at the American
intrusion. and were still more disguised at
the treaty concluded with Lord Elgin, the
British Minister, in 1858. The signing OF
the first treaty, according to a letter from
Mr.. Alcock to Lord Malmesbury, July 5,
1859. published in the parliamentary Blue
Book, was the signal for great political
commotion, and the disgrace of all concern
cd in the negotiation, even down to the
subor(linates. The lives of the chief min
listers were for some time in danger, SO vio-
lent was the feeling among the majority OF
those who are the real repositories of power
at the present moment in japan, the great
hereditary prince of the empire, whose nomi-
nee the Tycoon himself is in effect The
prompt dismissal of ministers who were
in Office wien the treaty with America was
executed, and the nomination of those who
have since continued in power was a re-
trograde act intented by the Dalmios tn
put a stop to any farther concession. Cir
cumstances were, however, too strong for
them, and these same ministers, representing
all the hostile and antagonistic tendencies
of the party. found themselves under the
cruel necessity of signing in rapid succession
treaties with most of the great powers in
Europe, each more liberal than its prede-
cessor." The hatred of foreigners, and the
disastrous results of tore.gn intercourse at
last impelled the Tycoon's Minister of For
eign Affairs to serve the following notice
upon foreign agents in June 1868: II
hereby communicated following in writing
Because the feelings of the inhabitants (of
| Japan) are inimical to foreign intercourse,
/ have received orders from His Majesty,
the Tycoon, now residing at Kiota," (or, as
expressed according to another translation,
orders OF the Tycoon received from Ki0to,
l. e., from the 1Ilkado,') to remove for
eigners, and close the ports, leaving the ne
gotiatons of it in my hands," The repre-
sensations of the foreign ministers were of
such "a nature that this summary programme
was not carried out; though the sentiment
which inspired it still exists in japan That
it is not quite so venomous as it once was
! is, perhaps. true and that the American
government and people are in japan us in
China regarded with more complaisance
than any Others, the reports of our Minister,
and American merchants lead us to infer
1t must be remembered, however, that the
most important arrangements lately con-
cluded-those for opening the ports OF
Osaca, Hiogo and Neagata and the city OF
Jeddo to foreign commerce and trade
nave DeeH all tndut ny tiic IOTclSH dllDdS-
sailors with the Tycoon. No direct COM
munication has been had with the Mkado
or his ministers. Therefore the reported
abdication of the only official Of the empire
with whom foreign powers have held COM
munication, and the active assumption OF
his duties by the great spiritual chief who
now for the first time in several centuries
energies from his retirement, and who has
been supposed to be as inimical as the
Daimios to foreign intrusion upon the sol
of Japan, is a very significant event-Neu
York Herald.