Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-03-13
The japanese Embassy.

The reception Of the japanese Embassy at
Washington on Monday Of last week. was en-
event Of more than usual interest It was
formal Introduction Of new neighbOrs, a
recognition aud avowal Of the borrow and
lend - intimacy that helps to constitute
good ncighborhood. The japanese com
pT.sing this embassy are credited with a
higher social standing and greater intelligence
than attached to those who visited this
country some years ago, and attracted so
much attention. The new corners give evI-
dencc of decided ability and talent, with a
fair tact at speech making, At the = hite
House presentation Minister Iwakura ad-
dressed the President as follows
His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan. our
august sovereign, has sought since the
achievement OF our national reconstruction
to attain a more perfect organization in the
administrative power Of his government. He
has studied with interest the results attained
by Western nations. Having a sincere de-
sire to establish permanent and friendly re
latIons with foreign powers on a still closer
footing, he has commissioned Us his embassa-
doris extraord nary to all powers having
treaties with Japan. L pom tie soil Of YOUR
country We uEbL pItetus our CICJenIitIs, ue-
iivering to you personally the letter of our
august sovereign at this public official audi
ence. The objects of the mission with which
we are charged by our government are some
what set forth in this letter. We are au
thorized to consult with this government on
all International questions, directing our
efforts to promote and develop wide com
meTcial relations, and draw into closer bonds
the strong friendship already existing be-
tween our respective people. Thus we hope
to gain fresh impulse in the paths of progress,
gaining good from every form of civilization.
This we shall aim to do while in the exercise
of strict integrity to our national interests,
c0nfded by generous sovereign, and shall
earnestly hope to receive your kind cooper
ton in facilitating the task assigned us by our
government We gladly avail ourselves OF
this happy meeting 10 convey personally to
your Excellency our sincere wishes for your
continued prosperity and happiness, and, as
national representatives, we extend the same
wish to an the people Of the United States.
The President then responded as follows
Gentlemen II am gratifed that this
country and my administration will be dis
tingushed IN history the first which has
received an Embassy from the nation with
which the United States were the first to es-
tablish diplomatic and commercial inter
course. The objects which you say have
given rise to your mission do honor to the
intelligence and wisdom of your sovereign,
and reflect credit on you in having been
chosen as the instruments for carrying them
into effect The time must be regarded as
zone, never to return, when any nation can
keep apart from all others and expect to en-
JOY the prosperity and happiness which de-
pend more or less upon the mutual adoption o.
ImprovemC nt5 not only IN the science OF
government, but in those other sciences and
arts which contribute to the dignity Of man
kind and to national wealth and power
Though Japan is one Of the most ancient of
organized communities, and the United
States rank among the most recent, we fiat
ter ourselves that we have made some i'm
provements upon the political institutions
of nations from whom we have descended. !
Our experience leads us to believe that the
wealth, power and happiness of people arc
advanced by their encouragement OF trade
and Commercial intercourse with other pow
ers by the elevation and dignity of labor,
by the practical adoption of science to manu- 4
features and art, by increased facilities of !
frequent and rapid communication between 4
the d ferent parts of the country. by en- 4
leOuraging immigration, which brings with A..
{ the varied characteristics and diverse genius I
and industry Of other lands ; by free press.
bv freedom of thought and OF conscience, and .
liberal liberation IN matters of religion, not
only to citizens, but to all foreign residents
among us. 1t will be pleasure TO US to
enter upon that consultation upon lnterna-
tiOnal questions in which you say you are
TO engage. The improvement of
the commercial relations between our re- I
spective countries is important and desirable,