The New York herald., 1871-12-28
Tho Herald Special Letters from Asia-A
Peaceful Rcvolution by Americans.


Peaceful Revolution by Americans.
The HERALD special correspondence from
Japan and China which appears in our col
umns to-day possesses an unusual degree Of
interest, not only for the American people, but
for civilization at large. During very many
years now passed away we have chronicled In
our columns the steady advance of the outside
Christian peoples of the earth towards the
attainment of permanent, useful and enlight-
ening foothold on the soil of the hoary empires
of the far East. To-day we have the pleasure
of announcing its realization and cOnsumma-
tion by the pens of our writers, par
ticularly by our letters from Japan. The
great work has been accomplished under the flag
Of the United States, without violence, peace
fully, and by means Of that force of moral
suasion which should ever characterize the
diplomacy of a free and generous people.
United States Minister De Long opened the
barrier of imperial exclusion by which the
Mikados of Japan have been, according to
hereditary, royal and national custom, sur
rounded for ages, during the past
year. He delivered at that moment to
His Highness the present Mikado
letter from President Grant Mr. De Long
thus became acquainted with the Eastern
ruler. He utilized his opportunity so advan-
tageously that he had the pleasure of person
ally presenting Admiral Rodgers, of the
United States Navy, his officers, with some
other distinguished Americans, to the
Mikado at Jeddo few months since.
The Japanese ruler came half way to
meet our countrymen, so that, nationally
speaking, we may claim that the people have
been raised towards the throne. The scene
at the moment of presentation and during the
ceremonial of reception and subsequently was
Eastern 10 the extreme. 1t was like repro
duction of Fair Rosamond's bower-without
the lady, however-and the scenes which were
witnessed at Kenilworth Castle during Queen
Elizabeth's visit, all rolled into one grand
pageant.
The American party entered the sacred
grounds Of the Mikado, Admiral Rodgers read
an address to the potentate. The Mikado
listened with marked attention to his words.
Refreshments were partaken of by imperial
invitation. The leave-taking of the American
sailors was completed with degree of grace
full dignity which would do honor to the throne
room of Buckingham palace. The American
mission is revolutionizing the everyday
customs of the Japanese rapidly-in dress,
style, modes of locomotion and so forth. The
Mikado, indeed, appeared to cast lingering
look at the splendid uniforms Of our naval
officers as they retired from his presence, so
that our army tailors may eventually become
as potent in the exercise Of their profession as
was the French fashioner who composed"
his famous campaign coat for the great Napo-
leon. Minister De Long has also included
most useful and interesting trip through the
islands of Yesso and Nippon, Japan. Our
special letters record the complete history
of these international occurrences, besides pre-
senting RESUME of the most important affairs
transpiring in China. They thus contrast pleas
ingly with the old time reports Of Englands
endeavor to break into China by means of the
opium war and the blowing up of hundreds of
Chinese naval junks by her war ships, and
with those which tell of the priestly efforts of
st. Francis Xavier and of the Roman Catholic
first missionaries in Japan to have the Asiatic
peoples hearken to the Word Of the one God.
Modern science, judiciously directed, will
effect what was denied to the sword and re-
fused to the cross. Christianity will come
finally and proclaim 'sWell DONE"