New Orleans Republican., 1871-06-18
JAPANESE CIVILIZATION.

few years ago, to have observed pic
ture representing a figure dressed in (
loose robe and triangular covering to th'
head, with his foot upon what appeared
to be cross. This was the representa-
ton to the scholar of the times of wha,
was then known as Japan, a group o.
islands located in the northern portion Of
the China sea, and was land of which
but little could be said from actual OBJ.
servation, as the people were prohibited
from intercourse with other nations
save one, the Dutch or Holland
ers They controlled everything per-
tanning to trade and commerce
with this peculiar and unknown people.
The Dutch, however, were not permitted
to penetrate beyond the limits of single
port, and were held under very severe re-
strictions, but against all other nations
the ports of the empire were vigorously
closed. In 1891 the Portuguese viceroy
at Goa made overtures of friendship, but
Taiko Sama, the founder of the tycoon
dynasty, refused to listen to them. After
that time down to 1858 no further effort
was made by other civilized nations to in
trude upon the national privacy of this
people. In that year our government
sent out a feet of war vessels
under the command of Commodore
Perry. carrying with him some Japanese
mariners who had been wrecked and
picked up by one of our merchantmen,
brought to this country and were taken
to their home and country by this expedi-
ton. By the arrival of Commodore Perry
with the feet under his command at the
port of Nagasaki, and in o short time
thereafter demanded that the government
should, without delay, open commercial
intercourse with the United States and
other civilized nations, or, IN case Of re-
fusal, such demand would be enforced.
After year Of hesitation and deliber-
alton it was granted and treaty was made
satisfactory to both governments. Be-
fore the arrival of the imposing naval force
under Commodore Perry, the rulers of
that sealed land had supposed that they
and their people had attained the highest
point of civilization, and were satisfied
with their condition. But when they saw
our noble ships enter their harbors with
out regard to the means which had been
adopted to prevent it, they saw their
weakness, and perforce submitted to the
demands of the outside barbarians of the
western hemisphere. Immediately after
the conclusion of the treaty between
Japan and the United States, the officials
of that country set to work to learn why
it was that civilized nations had become so
great and powerful. They sent embassies
to this country to investigate and report.
The result was that new and important
changes were made in their government,
and their progress in higher civilization
has astonished other nations besides our
own. The Mikado, after short civil war
between himself and the powerful de-
scendants of the late Tycoon in 1S6S-69.
emerged from his obscurity and depen-
dence, and assumed the entire control of |
the government, and in his efforts in favor
of progress and the enlightenment of the
nation, is heartily sustained by the mobiles
and people. Three hundred miles of rail- |
road have been built, and others are pro- |
jected and in course of construction. |
Their postal system, from that of native
runners, has been remodeled after the
European plan. Their military, under
the Tycoon, is said to comprise $4,000
men, infantry, cavalry, artillery and en-
5ineers. The infantry is formed into
after the manner of the French,
md armed with the chassepot. Besides
his regular army of the Tycoon, the 200
Daimios, or native princes, maintain an
lrmy of $4,000 infantry and 10000 cav
dry, which forms the federal force, and
re placed under the orders of the Tycoon
When the independence of the country is
threatened.
A navy has been commenced by the pur-
hase of war steamers of the most ap-
'roved model of build and equipment.
But the most remarkable feature of the
rogress of that country consists in the
agerness which is manifested in the ac-
uisition of education and knowledge
by the civilized nations of Eu-
ope, and our own.
The reply of Japanese prince to the
Telcome of the President evinces the de-
ermination of Japan not to be behind
be most favored nation of modern times.
The government of Japan is well aware
that education is the basis of all progress,
nd, therefore, sends her young men to
sceive scientific education in America
nd Europe, hoping thereby to fifty pre-
are them to take wise and discriminat-
lg part in the affairs of its government.
Following out this enunciation from a ,
apanese noble, scores Of young men
re sent out and are now being ;
iucated in the colleges of this I
'untry and Europe, and it is said I
lat their progress in the acquisition of
nowledge is not surpassed by any of I
leir fellow-students. The great object '
all this earnestness in the pursuit of I
nowledge, arts and sciences, besides the 8
Improvement of the nation, would seem 4