Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-17

leon, fell amidst the deafening cheers of the
crowd.
Japan.
Governor Ito, the agent of the Japanese gov
meut, who has been spending some weeks in
Washington, studying our financial system, has
lately started on his return home by way of San
Francisco. At Il dinner party in Washington,
at which many persons of distinction were pres
ent, he made the following interesting remarks,
explaining the objects of his mission, and Civ
ing brief sketch of the history and present
progressive tendencies of his people:
81 find a very erroneous idea prevails in
America, as well as in Europe, in relation to my
country. The empire Of Japan consists of
numerous islands in the Oriental sea- along the
coast of the Asian continent. think the re-
corded existence of the nation extends over
something more than $500 years, during which
time its intercourse with foreign nations has
been exceedingly limited. In the seventeenth
century intercourse began with the Portuguese,
Spanish and some other European nations; but
the decline of those led 10 its decay. Our people
have not been ambitious; they have been salts
fed when they have reached that competency
which gives support, and as result they have
not sought foreign intercourse.
Seventeen years ago the American govern
ment sent an ambassador to our country with
instructions to advise us to open our ports to
foreign intercourse, and this advice, SO kindly
given, was acted on. Since that time our inter-
course with foreign nations has been growing,
until at present Japan bids fair to be as well
known as America With the commencement
of this intercourse the Japanese people began TO
realize that they had not reached the highest
stage of civilization, and they began the investl-
cation of what constituted European and Ameri-
can civilization. Beginning by the introduction
nj Of n
sciences, and mechanical inventions into their
country, they have so far progressed as to have
at this time reached the necessity of sending
some one abroad to obtain knowledge of the
foreign systems of finances, and we have come
to America to study your financial system as
well as to obtain additional knowledge in other
branches ofcyilized government which will be
of benefit to us in our efforts TO reach that high
estate which you have already attained. And
this we hold as strong evidence of the progress
of Japan in civilized ideas. | wish could ex-
press to you how great that advancement has
been.
But to return to the history of my country.
About 700 years ago the power of the command
ing general (Yontomo) became so great that he
was enabled to usurp the authority of the en-
peror proper, and from that time, descending
through father and son, this power became
stronger until at last the government of Japan
had virtually fallen into their hands, and instead
of the government being spoken of as the Mi
kado's government, it came to be known as the
government of the tycoon, who was in reality
the powerful ruler of the people. But no one
family enjoyed the power of the tycOonety in
peace. During the existence of what is known
as the tycoon's government six of the principal
ducal families of the empire commended for the
position of tycoon, and each in its turn came
into possession of the reigns of government,
Out of the quarrels of these ducal families
grew a system somewhat resembling the feudal
Of Er,rpn ho faTf Gnrhf ianr &c
these antagonistic elements made this possible.
About 300 years ago the Tokugawa family came
into possession Of the power and dignity of the
tycoon. From this time the feuGal system,
founded in the necessities and strengthened by
the wars of the many aspirants for power, came
to be fixed institution, and the reign of the
Tokugawa family proving to be peaceful one,
its hold on the country became thoroughly es-
tablished. Before the uSurpation Of the form of
government was absolutely monarchical with
no independent princes or powers. AS result
of the tycoon's rule, not alone the tycoon's po-
sition became hereditary, but also all the high
est governmental positions-generals, ministers
and princes, the latter being originally merely
governors.
With the establishment of intercourse with
foreign countries, and the consequent develop
ment of the progressive people of Japan, they
began to realize the unsatisfactory form of gov
eminent under which they were living. They
became dissatisfied with the rule OF an author
ity which did not encourage ability, and whose
strength lay in hereditary claims to power.
This sentiment growing stronger and stronger,
they at last resolved to abolish the power and
Office of the tycoon, and return the real power
to the hands OF the emperor. This resolution
on their part has given rise to the stories of revo
luton in Japan-the revolution being in reality
only the efforts of the better people to form
stable and reliable government, with the proper
and respected power at his head, as sisted in its
control of affairs by ability, integrity, and faith
fulness, wherever found
This came to be an established fact four years
ago; and to-day, as result we have the former
servant and vaSsal of the prince sitting in the
high seats by his side, and counseling with him
in the affairs Of the nation.
But the japanese people do not mean to stop
here. There is now a growing sentiment in
Japan which strongly favors constitutional mon
archy-a growing feeling against hereditary
power, hereditary rank and hereditary posses
sions. 1t may be that the bright hope of some
of my people will not be realized at once, but if
the past is taken as an index ofwhat is to come.
am encouraged to say that the progress of the
future will find Japan in a very few years in the
front rank of advanced and civilized nations,
with government as liberal in form and as
generous to its citizens as that of any monarchy
under the sun.
In Japan, as in other parts of the world there
must necessarily be differences Of opinion. We
have among our people radical and rapid pro-
gressists, conservatives, always making haste
slowly, always studying the situation, always
moving with great caution and circumspection,
often unwlsey wasting their opportunities for
advancement by too great caution or timid
fear; Others timid because of the fear that they
will lose their property or position by any
change; Others, the selfish Utopan, who builds
an impossible castle, hoping that the founda-
tiOn-stOnes may be precious jewels resting in
his hand only; and lastly, there are yet few
n,nI saAa i
who believe that its strength lies in closed ports
and selfish sutf1eiency unto themselves.
To the outsider in Japan all these differences
may appear as elements of weakness, when in
fact they are elements of strength; and perhaps
in no country can this be so well appreciated as
in America, where the strength and success of
the government depends so much on the agita-
ton of questions by the people. The time is
coming when Japan will stand among the first
nations in its civilization and progress. The
question with us is, how can we most rapidly
reach this high state of development. To my
mind the best answers, by educating the people
and developing the country
We are gratifed to learn that the American
people understand our efforts, and more especi-
ally that the distinguished company of gentle
men here assembled understand them. The
prevailing sentiment in America, it seems to me,
is in favor of the brotherhood of nations and
feeling this when we left Japan, we felt that we
were coming among people who would en-
courage and assist us in every way possible.
We have not been deceived, Every assistance
has been rendered us, every facility for study
afforded us; and we will return to our country
freighted with knowledge, and, as we hope,
equal to the task, which we confess is great
one, of putting in motion such reforms and i'm
provements as shall place us upon q footing
equal to the best of nations,
In the years to come, it is to be hoped that
the intercourse between Japan and America,
the sister nations on each side of the great Pa.
cifc ocean, may be founded upon that strong
feeling of brotherlyfoYe which SO unites distant
peoples, that through storm and sunshine they
will ever be true friends and earnest assistant
co-workers in the great cause of humanity and
the development Of the world in its moral, social
intellectual and material aspects,