The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-09-11

YOKOHAMA, July p, 1872
The stream Of time has been serenely flowing
upon this little spot Of earth during the past tort
night our miscellaneous community having main.
tanned the even tenor of its way; nothing, in sooth
short of disastrous FIRE, terrible earthquake or
attempt TO assassuate the Mikado or to oxtcrmi.
nate the barbarian strangers could rouse these en-
eryated souls from the lethargc state into which
the recent hot weather land perhaps more than the
usual quantum of shery-cobblers and mint,julips)
has thrown them Business, however, though keep
ing quiet, steady pace hss been satisfactory, trans
actions in new Tea and Silk having been somewhat
extensive, while Yarns and Sheetiugs have been in
good demand, the recent arrivals from the United
Kingdom also tending to freshen trade generally.
The most amusing-and scarcely least important
event OF the fortnight is
THE sToPPAGE OF THE L. 5. MAIL,
the eth inst, just as the bags were about being
taken Of 10 the Colorado, By an inl5scile-iookigg
creature in high wooden clogs, tghtftting but far
from el,gautly-cut pants seedy, semi-military-
looking jacket - much too small for him and a
straight peaked, gold-laced cap the toutC ensemble
being irresistbly suggestive Of marine store efigy
which many Of us have seen, all withered and bat
tered, dirty aud greasy dangling the doorway.
That's what this worthy strongly resemblcd, though
he called himself Custom house Officer. Com
handing the party 10 stop, this august parsonage
intimated his intention of examining the mail The
person in charge, however, no occasion for de-
lay on account of this insect; but other japanese
appearing on the scene and the assnine officer be-
fore alluded to being obstinate, halt made,
and Mr.. Lane Ohe ?. N. Co.'s Agcnt) and after
wards Mr.. Mitchell, (viceC ousul,) were sent for.
Upon the arrival Of these gentlemen, the officials
a. u
own dung-hills and seemed partly to realize the alb
surdity Of their conduct, and when Mr. Mitchell
ordered the bags TO be taken off further obstruc-
ton was offered The consequence of this furccal
preceding was to delay tie steamer an hour This
is not the only example have lately had of the
stupidity Of Custom.housc officials, and it is 10 be
hoped a timely check will be put upon their absurd
actions.
Never, since the violent religious dissensions Of
the 18th and 10th centuries which shook the radi-
tional faith of Japan TO its very centre ard resulted
in the slaughter Of nearly a million and half of .
Christauizyd native, ultimately eliminating in the
expulsion Of the Jesuit priests, and the execution
twentythree zealots from the Phillipines-followed
by the subsequent determination Of all Christians
early in the l7th century-has this Empire been
AeITATED By RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY
than at the present time, although no violent
measures apprehended, unless it be in persecut
ing native Christians against whose embrace Of the
true faith edicts are everywhere to be seen. Bud
dhism assailed by a whitening blast two or three
years ago, from which it will never recover. The
Adjustment of the Tycoonate, and the investment
Of the Tycoons former power with the Mikado,
we're the prelude to the suppression of Buddhism,
he faith OF the Shotgun Tor Tycoon) and the primary
move towards the adoption OF shiutoism, the faith
Of the Spiritual Ruler, as the national religion Il
was to celebrate the Inauguration OF this religious
change that the festival of 20 Maisusi" was held
II Yokohama in May, 1870. II may be mentioned
however that special annual festival in honor of
he great Buddhist deities had always been OBJ
eryed, and was called the - o Matsusi;" but the
estival of $50 had very different significance its
'bject being to introduce general adoption Of
shintoism. Yokohama made the scene of its
Inst celebration because the natives were supposed
o have enlarged their ideas by intercourse with
oreiguers, and therefore, it was thought, would
eceive the change more kindly than would the in.
abitants of peculiarly japanese city. As another
uggesiive movement, the Kiobusho Department
{ Religi0n,) recently summoned the Buddhist
rests TO conference in Yedo, and the purpose has
cen announced of forming an invulnerabe strong
old against Christianity by the combination Of
buddhism, Shiutoism, and the Philosophy of Con G
lcius. This statement, however may be received
mere twaddle. Buddhism is seen to be tottering
ven now, and will presently fall lfeless to the r
,rth. The Philosophy of Coniueius does not offer :
be people anything better in exchange, and is not ,
hat they require; and shintoism is but a weakly
philosophy against Christianity, and cannot satify >.
alton which is fast advancing towards the intelli-
ence of the civilized world.
Whatever may be asserted to the contrary,
lpan needs-mutely appeals fore Christianity The !"
overnment may still forbid the dissemination Of
seeds-may still prosecute its adherents, but
vertheless, its power will 60 on eavening the ma
sc mind; those abroad will seize upon its truths O
ID by degrees the great statesmen of the Empire st
i'll be brought to see its efficacy as a moral and IL
ritual blessing and support TO their country and 5
II only tolerate it, but adopt and promugate its Ia
ctrnes. But the progress of the work viii be Ia
cessarily slow for Some time, and any attempt to Ia
lm Christianity down the throat OF the nation "