New-York tribune., 1872-02-12

and in the public prints il is to expected that the
instincts and energies Of the common people, although
cramped 10y centuries of repression will remain forever
langud, that the most crushing restrictions
moved and a Of full emancipation is shining not
too dstantly, before them. E. II. II.
SIGNS OF MORAL PROGRESS IN JAPAN.
CELEBRATION OF THE MIKADO'S BIRTHDAY
ABOLITION OF THE FEUDAL sYSTEM-PRoOF
or NATIONAL PROGRESS-AMERICAN INFLU-
ENCEs IN JAPAN.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNBl
YEDo, Nov. 2f.-This has been a mouth of
much social and some political excitement Many days
have been surrendered entirely popular festivity
which all classes have joined with singular and quite
unprecedented unanimity The origin of the jubilee
the Mkados birthday, which began the 4th inst Ohe
22d NJ the japanese ninth mOnthD particular 10
say began" since, for reason which nobody
clearly explain, the birthday OF the sovereign in this
eccentric land, is supposed to extend y hours
all OF which occupied in many varieties of public
celebration as can be devised, and the whole at the
expense Of the Government In fact the demonstrations
this anedaed the anniversary, to extent At
sunset the evening OF the 3d. parks Of artillery were
stationed numerous points within the castle walls
and nearly hour nothing heard hut the din OF
the imperial salutes. The entire night Frightened
by fireworks and judge from the crowded condition
OF the streets, few Of the popuace slept until daybreak
Then fresh salutes Civ H. the heavy ordnance of
the forts IN the bay this time cooperating.
Throughout the morning. the throngs which
sembled the hill OF Kudan the favorite hol
day resort Of Yedo- amused by daylight fire
works-a species of pyrotechnic display which really
surpasses in ingenuity anything Of the kind that West
ern nations can exhibit. Bombs of different sizes are
high into the air. and exploding. discharge some
times varously coored smoke, which is made to
singular and usually symmetrical forms, and sometimes
neatlyolded packages of wire and paper which unfold
eiutO blgf1~
design These latter may be fish. which swim leisurely
through the atmosphere to the ground or snakes which
writhe themselves away the tree-tOps; great
birds. that hover keke and motionless for ncredi
bly, long time. Occasionally they take the shape OF cot
tages, temples human beings, magnied cress Of dai
Mos trees and flowers almost anything that lively
invention can suggest The smoke figures. however
the surprising one Of the most frequently at
tempted is a cutle-fsh with body Of thick fultgnons
black, and Of lighter hues. OF course, the illusion
is very brief the wind not allowing the smoke TO remain
undisturbed for more than few seconds but while it
ass It perfect. During the afternoon OF the 4th,
military review took place; under the personal inspec
tion of the Mkado, who rode out in his fourhorse car
age with merely nominal escort and without any
kind Of conceament Mystery surrounds the ostensble
ruler of Japan longer. He not only showed himself
freely in public hut privately received considerable
deputaton Of foreigners this his birthday. since the
visit of M Seward indeed all former obstacles to mpe-
rial interviews have been removed. Receptions in the
castle have ceased TO he uncommon. on the 9TH INST
the race-course was the center attraction It
merry scene all dav long and vastly enjoyed by the
multitude, although the sport certainly not con-
Quoted upon the principles recognized III racing coun-
tries. Any contest in which at least one OF the compet-
itors did not fall Of his horse derided by the specta
tors satisfying the popular expectation. II should
be admitted that there very few occasions for dis
appointment in this respect The chief success OF the
day was the breaking OF a cOllarbone. Next TO that
can ed yf1z Ordin
elicit applause after the first two three courses The
9th devoted to exhibitions Of wrestling than
which nothing here il popular. Experts from all
parts Of the country took part in these Journeys which
gTatuitOusly witnessed by myriads OF citizens
With the proceedings Of this day the celebration
scribed by the authorities to close but it was
privately prolonged many days, and in some quarters
can hardly be said 10 have terminated even now.
The political excitement Is confined 10 official circles.
and naturally connects itself with the sudden movement
for overthrow Of the feuda system and the with
drawal of titles and estates from the damio class. Up
this time the situation not materially changed from
that which described month ago, excepting that
roous outbreaks occurred in several contunacOus
provinces none them, however sufficiently serious 10
create ALARM The Lord OF Aki. or Geshiu still defes
the Imperial 10 the capital Kanga, or kashu,
the richest damo Of the Empire equally esOlue, and
his vast power and resources will probably preserve him
from molestation 1t is hnted though not directly af
frmed that Kiishu third prominent recalcitrant,
has accepted cOnciatory Oeertures from the Govern
men and in spirit that warrants the hope that ne VIII
support the new policy With regard to the main BODY
Of the damios, the Administration declare themselves
wholly al ease They assert through their chief For
eign Secretary, Iwakura who is possibly the ablest
and certainly the most influential Of the present Minis
trv that areiully adjusted balance of interests will
prevent any united opposition TO their plans IN the ma
iorty Of the provinces 1t must he admitted that they
are corroborated, considerable extent by some OF
the younger xdaimiOs who are now pushing their
studies at the college Yedo 1t is said that in
many cases the enormous revenues OF the hereditary
nobemen have been nearly exhausted by the heavy
animal demands Of their OF retaDer that almost
nothing remained for their personal use ana that
the guarantee the central authorities tof oneenth OF
their former ncOmes-which Is the proportion liked Dy
the new decreeassures them larger certain sum than
tbey have for many years past been able 10 calculate
upop AS far as command OF money goes they are
therefore better of III their temporary durance in the
than they were ut the nominal head OF affairs
in their own provinces Against any rebeous reaction
which their sense OF wounded pride and honor might lead
them attempt in the future, Is ptted-the rising
ambition Of former executive officers Of the Districts
who are in most invested with full authority
over the estates which they have hitherto managed only
in the name of their The whole machinery Of
the local governments In their hands, and by sdvanc
ing them dignity and position the Mkados admins
tration makes allies of them, and secures their support
evcn necessary, against the interests Of their late
| lords.
IL this be a true statement OF the principle upon
which the revolution planned, there is und0ub
edy great deal of ingenuity and adroitness about it
but IL Is pet question whether great national scheme
which was conceived dupcity and can Only be carried
on by noble cunning viii lead TO any lasting success
That the daimos be separated from all Identity
with their former territories plain enough and on that
| point no discrimination IN necessary; but II seems
| also 10 be equally well understood, although
a,,.rv enort IA made to disguise the fact.
| 49,. s,,iu he al 4