The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-11-24
Light in japan.

| ments OF modern times Is that now tax
ing place in Japan. Late letters to the
State Department not yet made public,
show that General Capron, our recent
Commissioner of Agriculture, was most
cordially received by the japanese au-
thorities; and it is probable that he hes
already begun his work, preliminary to
the development of the natural capacl-
ty of the empires northernmost large
island. There is strong reason to be-
lieve that our people are but partially
informed as TO the magnitude OF that
work, and good ground for supposing
that his appointment is but one OF "a
series of important steps contemplated
by the reigning powers. The able law
officer under Secretary Fish, Mr.. +.
Peshine Smith, has been selected and
engaged by the japanese Minister to
aid his Government in the serious and
extensive treaty business of next sum-
mer; and the Minister gives assurance
that it is the desire of his master TO
modify the existing treaties IN con-
formity with advanced principles of in
ternational comfy.
Previous TO 1868 the country had a
dual nead-political power was vested
in the Tycoon, and spiritual power in
the Mikado. The revolution of that
year resulted in the overthrow Of the
| Tycoonate, and the sovereign authority
of the empire has since been in the
! hands Of the Mikado One of his latest
notable acts was the abolition of the
| Provincial Governors or feudal DaimOis,
and the local authority heretofore exer-
cised by them has now been transferred
to the central ruler. Letter-writers for
the daily press differ in their interpre-
tation of the origin and significance of
this event, but that it means an advance
toward civilization and has the general
concurrence of the dispossessed Daimois
themselves, is asserted by our Minister
to Japan, as well as by the japanese
Minister in Washington. Those by
whom it was resisted were among the
weaker members OF the order, and Mr..
Mort says the Mikado will have little
difficulty in maintaining his position.
That the act ultimately tends to unfit
cation and the consolidation of the
empires resources to good ends, is not
doubted by such of our officials as are
well enough advised to form an unbiased
and a comprehensive opinion.
The United States has already fur
nished the Mikado with considerable
number OF agents, and we learn that
several more are quite likely to 90 out
to Japan in the spring. That other
civilized nations manifest some jealousy
at what seems our connection with that
country, need not excite any wonder {:
but we Judge they will discover that
they have no just cause OF complaint
when they ascertain the facts respect
ing this connection. The President
and his advisers are willing TO give the
Mikado such moral and material sup
port as they properly can, but the State
Department has done nothing more
than TO further his matured purposes,
communicated through Minister Mort
and the engagement of Messrs. Capron,
Smith, and other gentlemen, was the
work Of Mr.. Mori himself, Who applied
TO us in the first instance, as he states,
because his sovereign thought he would
be dealt with here fairly and candidly,
and without Interior motive. And we
are confident that no such motive has
influenced the course Of the Depart
ment; while the japanese Minister ex-
presses great satisfaction at the honor
able treatment he has received.
But no person cognizant of the situa-
ton and advised as to the Mikado's de-
sires and intentions, can doubt that we
are to be brought into closer relations
with japan than any other nation has
yet attained. That country has opened
its doors 10 modern thought and aspira-
ton, and, without predisposition on our
part, the United States has become in
some measure a confidential adviser
With the introduction of the railway
and telegraph, the teaching of English
from school-books prepared in America
the carrying thither Of immense guam
titles OF agricultural and mechanical
tools made in the States, the study OF
numerous official reports and scientific
publications sent home by the legation
at Washington, the spread Of the in
formation gained by the various gentle
men of rank and ability temporarily
sojournine in our chief cities-this great
intlowing tide OF American ideas must
inevitably produce a marked effect on
the old Oriental Empire. 1t is all more
like romance than reality, such are the
novelty and enterprise of the new
movement; but unless the coolest and
soberest observation is wholly at fault
Japan is emerging from isolation anC
darkness into light and brotherhood.