New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-23
4 JAPANESE OPPONENT OF REFORM.

Il JAPANESE OPPONENT OF REFORM
IL is not to be supposed that Japan Is
advancing toward liberty and enlightenment
without filing the souls Of some OF her ci'i-
zens with anguish and with apprehension:
No country ever yet passed through great ana
organic reforms without predictions OF frlght-
ful ruin or without the cries and groans OF
the conservative class. In the Japan GdSetle
of the 21st ult. is published touching episte
to the Sovereign from the Hon. Jlusanm
Uisamitsu, who is an ex-Minister, now residing
at Kagoshima. The old gentleman--we trust
that we do him no wrong in taking IL 1or
granted that he is an old gentleman-states LII
his letter that, during His Majesty's late
tour che has been fortunate enough to Wor-
" ship the heavenly oountenance Of his mon
arch.n This unusual and inspiring peep at
the regal physiognomy has encouraged ana
inspired him to offer His Majesty " his humble
sentiments" He declares that " In this
d" critical moment he can no longer sit by and
look on with indifference at passing events"
He is like some people known to us IN TINS
favored Republic He knows that it viii not
be of the least use, but he muss express his
opinions or die. He may be a roihering Old
Polonius of a Fogy, but fer 81! that he must
raise his note of warning. Not TO put too line
a point upon it, clearly is il the opinion OF the
Hon. Jiusammi Hisamitsu that Japan is going
TO the bOW-wows "The fact is" he says,
that, by your Maicsty's present system OF
" government, Tie ior.unCs Of tbs country are
"daily declining; The Imperial Inc, which
" should last forever ard ever IS in danger OF
falling into tie vice called Rtpcbicanism"
The poor old gentleman ''C9neee IS clearly as
Sin a mirror that Japan viii eventually be-
" come a dependency Of the Ntst,Il Bar
"barians. He can only si.h aal weeI.."
Such are the melancholy views Of japanese
Polonius. He is at least Cuutied TO the
credit of courage in presenting them, Tor he
expects TO have something dreadful done to
him for his audacity. "YOur servant" he
says, "aWaits any punishment for his au-
"dacity and want of reverence in speak
"ing thus freely" II would be shame
If the unhappy ex-Minister should be sent to
jail or beheaded or scOurged or forced to
exenterate himself. We cannot but admire
his pluck, for plucky he unquestionably Is,
albeit he writes that he presents his opinions
" with real fear, and real awe and prostra-
tons" ...'...''.
ACCOMMODATING this letter is sort of scheme
of politics recommended by the TTiter which
is a curious tumble of sense and nonsense, as
the schemes of those who oppose reforms both in
tle East and the West ase aps.to he. Hisamitsu
is a Know-Nothing to the backbone, and In
some respects reminds US Of Henry Wilson In
his old Know-Nothipg stage. He is for " the
establishment of clear distinction be-
tween the rights of Japanese and for
eigners,n just as Wilson was for
clear distinction between the rights Of
Americans and Irishmen. Moreover, the
Hon. Hisamitsu advocates "a clear distinction
between the rights of noble and mean." In
one other regard he is entirely unlike Henry
Wilson, as he advocates Contrary to the WI
son morality the rejection of deceitful arts
and reyerencing Of truthfulness." In this he
NAV be ranked as a sort of Liberal Republi
can, while he also advocates the tightening
" of taxes and the abatement OF burdens"
1t will be seen, therefore, that the doctrines
of this political philosopher are somewhat
miscellaneous his principal opinion, no doubt,
being that the Monarch should send for him
and reinstate him in his old Office. 1t is
probable that in such case he would cheer mp
amazingly Now all looks dark to him. He
writes in a kind of political despair, and
should the next mail bring intelligence of his
death by hari- kari, we should not be at all
surprised. Why should Fine Old japanese
Gentleman wish to survive, when ga clear
distinction between the rights of noble and
"meann seems to be disappearing, and when
the Imperial Line is in danger of falling
into the vice called republicanism I"