Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-08
Innnn and the Inpanese.
A correspondent of the New York Evenin
Post writes from Washinuton.

A correspondent of the New York Evening
Post writes from Washington:
During an hour that spent at the Japanese
legation this morning, picked up some bits of
news, and other information which think will
be interesting 10 the public. According to the
latest advices the hereditary princes or feudal
lords who have hitherto held out against the
civiliZing policy of the mikadO and his minis
try, have now transferred all their troops with
their allegiance TO the supreme government, so
that the military and naval power of the empire
is entirely consolidated. 1t is also known that
one or two princes and a few rebelliOus spirits
connected with the national councils have been
| arrested and placed in a position where they
can do no harm; also, that the desire to be-
come civilized and 10 compete with other ma
tions in reaping the benefits of education and
of political and moral eleyatian, is spreading
with great rapidity among the people; and that
the hitherto oppressive regulations in regard to
foreign travellers have been so modified that
strangers may now go where they please, al
though the government still thinks that they
should have suitable protection in the way of
military escorts.
Another development of importance has re-
Gently occurred connected with the courts of
law, before which number of usurping princes
have been brought, and after trial have been
severely punished; an event altogether new in
the history of the empire; and, what seems
strange in our sight, but which has hitherto
to an American planter, the longeontinued
custom among the upper classes of wearing
two swords has been abolished by legislative
enactment. Other laws have also been enacted,
whereby the peasantry and the tradesmen
may become the owners of real estate in fee
simple, which is great innovation on ancient
customs.
With regard to the leading men of Japan,
who, against many obstacles and at the hazard
of their lives, are doing work for the empire
which can hardly be appreciated, | give you
these few particulars. The present Nikado is
young man of some ability, but not of much
experience; but his ministry is of the highest
order the country can afford. Fully realizing
the misfortunes which their people have suffered
on account of their ignorance and want of NOR
al culture, they seem determined that every
thing shall be done for the physical and mental
redemption of the nation. Among the truly
great men of Japan there is not one who occu-
pies a higher position than the famous Sat
suma. He was formerly the governor of a
province, and took very important part in the
war against the late tycoon; but at the present
time is not in office, nor will he consent to occu-
Ply any position under the government, although
the very highest, next to the Nikado, has been,
and is now, within his reach. He is q patriot
OF the highest and purest type, and his strong
sense, rare integrity and personal influence have
had much to do with the recent progress of at
fairs in Japan.
pan by virtue of his ability and devotion TO
the welfare of his country is Jagoi Arnori Ma
ri, the first minister ever accredited by Japan
to reside in Washington. He was born in one
of the southern provinces lof his country about
the year 1S47 and is one of the hereditary
princes; when eighteen years of age he was sent
TO England, where he renamed three years, and
received a thorough educatiOn on returning to
Japan he took part in the legislative councils of
the empire, and although he performed many
ereditable acts, he won the most reputation by
making the first proposition ever made TO abol-
ish the wearing of the two swords. He had
concluded that this custom of many ages was
both preposterous and useless, and although it
was like attacking polygamy in Utah or the
pope in the Vatican, he thought his course was
the right one, and he went ahead The conse-
quence was he brought a storm about his ears
ran great risk of losing his life by assassination
and, although the ministry were really on his
side ,hhe was advised TO retire from public life
and he did spend one year in the quiet of his
country home. AT the end of that time the tide
had turned in his favor, and he was invited into
public life again.
The ministry said they wanted him to visit
America in the diplomatic service. He said he
was too young and too inexperienced and de-
clined. The government insisted, and he then
accepted an appointment as minister to Wash
ington. AS his mission is new one, he has
not as yet much 10 do in the capacity of mere
diplomat, but he is very active and busy man,
full of native and acquired ability, ambitious
to do all he possibly can to elevate his people
into high civilization, and is bending all bis
energies to the noble object Of collecting and
sending off to Japan every variety of informa-
ton that can promote the prosperity and hap.
piness of the japanese empire.
Perhaps the most depressing blight now rest
ing upon the Japanese is their manner of treat.
ing women, and primary object with the lead
ing authorities is to create thorough reforma-
ton in this particular. OF the two hundred and
twenty-seven deputies which compose the lately
organized parliament of Japan, a very large
proportion are in favor OF trying the efficacy of
the most advanced ideas in politics and religion;
and as an evidence of the newly born liberality
OF the present ministry, it may be stated that
when informed that one of the japanese stu
dents IN this country-of whom there arc about
one hundred-had been converted to Christiani-
~, instead Of being blamed he became the re-
cipient OF special favors from his government.