The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-02
oHANeE AND PROGRESS IN JAPAN.

n
corded in history has recently been effected
in Japan. Since the American Commodore
ia 1858 first threw open the doors previously
closed to all, and gave entrance not to mer-
chants and their goods only, but
to ideas of progress, and new
hopes and fears as well asinterests,
another nation has sprung into existence,
and is now preparing to run race with
European States. From long sleep of iso-
lation and feudalism, with stereotyped laws,
and customs from which no one under penalty
of death was at liberty to deviate by hairs
BREADTH they we're rudely awakened
by the apparition of an American
squadron, with a summons to enter
the comfy of nations, and the alternative of
being treated as enemies of the human race.
Both the message and the messengers must
have come upon the Japanese Daimios with
something of the effect of an earthquake
strong enough to rouse the Seven Sleepers.
To realize their position and feelings one
must be able to picture their dream of security
the completeness of their previous isola-
ton, and undsturbed conviction of their
power to maintain it against the world. From
this to pass in a single night to the knowledge
that a squadron was anchored in the Bay of
Yeddo menacing the capital, and with an
expressed determination on the part of q
great Western power to open intercourse with
the country, was transformation far
transcending Rip Van Wrinkles experience
on his return to the waking world. The
policy proclaimed by TaikosSama 250 years
before, as the unslterable rule of Japan, had
remained until that fatal morning undisturbed
and unquestioped. This is what Taiko Sama,
the founder of the Tycoon's dynasty, now no
more, announced, in O letter addressed in
1891 to the Portuguese Viceroy of Goa, who
had dared to propose friendly relations and
intercourse: "Japan is the realm of the Kami,
hat SO Of lin, he I.nr Tnin Of all
and the good order of the Government de-
pends upon the exact observance of the au-
cient laws, of which the Kami are the authors.
They cannot be departed from without over
turning the subordination which ought to exist
of subjects to their sovereign, wives to their
husbands, children to their parents vassals to
their lords, and servants to their masters.
These laws are necessary to maintain COED
order within and tranquility without. The
Fathers have come to these islands to teach
another religion; but as that of the Kami is
too deeply rooted to be eradicated this new
law can only serve to introduce into Japan
diversity of worship very prejudicial to the
State. 1t is on that account that, by an I'M
perial edict, have forbidden these strange
doctors to continue to preach their doctrine.
L have even ordered them to leave ia pan, and
/ am determined not to allow anybody to come
thither to retail new opinions"
But the year 1858 brought an American
Commodore for penipotentiary- backed
by such naval force as would secure him a
respectful hearing" with instructions ''to
show q resolution not to take mo fer an an"
swer"-and the result was the reluctant and
oft-repented reversal of the traditionary
policy of isolation-soon to be followed by
the opening of its ports to trade, under the
pressure Of English, French, and Russian
negotistors, following in the track of the
United States
Not twenty years have yet passed, and in
that period short as it is in the life of a
nation, the Japanese have cleared at bound
the space of centuries which intervened in
Europe between feudalism and modern insti-
tutions. The mayors of the palace, with
/. their dual government, spiritual and tempo
raj, feudal and military, have all disappeared,
and in their place there reigns Kami-ds-
scended sovereign still, but with all the most
approved constitutional forms and checks on
despotic rule The princely feudstories have
merged into delibsrative House of Peers,
renouncing all their feudal privileges; and,
to complete the revolution of ideas, three of
the princes of the Imperial blood
are now in Europe for their education! II
we would know with what object, we have but
to listen to the address of the Prince on his
presentation to the President at the White
House at Washington travellers and
students, like myself, on their way abroad
will hereafter become better acquainted witt
your country and people. We shall constantly
encourage intercourse, and aim to annually
increase more intimate and important rela
tions. The Government of japan il
well aware that education is the basis
of all progress, and therefore sends her young
men to receive q scientific education in Anne
rica and Europe, hoping thereby to fifty pre-
pare them to take wise and discriminating
part in the affairs Of eur Government. Gu
Government has commissioned diplomatic
representative to this country, to assure yoS
that it is earnestly seeking for permanent
progress in all that is great and good, a
rapidly as it can acquire these cherished ends
andit desires particularly to cement NOR
closely the alreadyfriendly relations and inte
rests existing between cur RESPECTIVE
peoples"
Well might the President of the great re
public hail the arrival of these students ant
travellers as heralds of a new era for thei
nation, in terms of congratulRtien an
friendly courtesy! The world has never be
fore seen SO great a change in 80 brief spac
as the advent of these Japanese princes de
monstrates. 1t reads more like description
of the transformation of pGntomim
than sober history-yet history it is. Within
the last ten years the whole social and pc
litical fabric of the State has been revolu
tionized. The present desc endant Of rae
of fatneant sovereigns, sleeping an
dreaming away their weary existeno
among their wives and concubinss, neVs
stirring from the precincts of hi
palace-prison under vigilant guard of succs'
sive usurping Tyooons, has been reused fror
the lethargy of ages. He now not onl
Teigns, but governs a nation of thirty million
of willing and devoted sub jscts. The Tycoon