New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-30


display But he felt that 1t behooved him 70 manifest
an acquaintance with usages Of courts and high
toned familiarity with monarchca systems which should
at once and settle the question Of his ability TO
compete with the representatives Of foreign potenates
on their own ground II Ia this feeling, and this alone
which has induced Ambassador TO indulge OF late in
that lavish and purposely ostentatous display OF equip
age heraldry, livery which the wonder and the
admiration Of all behoders in Yokohama excepting those
In whose hearts envy and hatred leave room for
mIder and creditabe emotions. Nothing, perhaps
more sgnally displays Mr. belongs dip omato dextery
than the with which he preserves IN all these
conflicting circumstances, the jse miies of democratic
simplicity and baronal splendor. 1 have already illus
trated this quality by references the adro assump
ton OF unwholesome personal habits; but I cannot
refrain from adding that the spectacle OF this social
Janus-if I may be permitted the fgure-roling in
gIded and emhlazoned pride, his arms crossed with
arstocrac dignity, and his feet perched in negligent
not 70 say muddy disorder upon the opposite cushions
his eye flashing the consciousness OF superiority and
his mouth eecng impartial saliva both sides OF the
thoroughfare which will stand perpetuayin the
memory OF al who have witnessed il az the most con
smcuous possible standard Of what that eminent trav
eer and observer, Daniel Pratt desgnaes as social
equilibrium" But am DEPRESSING.
This stipulation, then, TO tran-bearers be t under
stood sprang from what Minister conceived to be
necessities Of state How he arranged for the easy yet
strkingy effective return at the proper moment, %
position OF graceful repubhcanism Will appear in the
sequel. The required explanations we're promptly
vouchsafed, and. early in January, the American
Ambassador and Ambassadress, with the Russian Charge
and Charge found themselves within the plain but s
respectable hans OF the palace at Toxic, with only the
delay OF i few preparatory moments intervening
between them and the presentation. The native dign
taries stood by in stad solemny. The feminine train
bearers each lady bent forward 10 their
dainty burdens All was ready, The signal was given,
the eight selected genewomen Of the robes stopped I'M
folded their fingers and cutched the circumference OF
the Ouspreadng garments, when suddeny-I deeply re-
gret 20 be compelled record tan obstacle inter
vcned obstacle unlocked for, so inconcevaoe. 80
heartless, and desolatng, that can only hope
though with doubts and tremOrs that 10 may not yet be
made the basis for rapture OF that harmony and good
will which has hitherto existed Jetween the TWO great
mowers OF Europe and America. Let be explicit.
The Russian lady gancing around with air plainly
compounded Of dsqmeude and annoyance asked " what
this meant" There mistaking her observation.
She wanted % know what 10 meant! with ready haste
Mr. De Long prodered explanation but from motives
which can only conjecture not being az present in the
confidence Of the Russian legation, II was rapidly and
abruptly rejected With the sole remark that II was
custom which she did not recognize and that she could
not think doing anything absurd she declared the
question settled far she was concerned IL was
trying moment. what 20 be donei Was the care
fully contryed plan Of masterdpomat 10 DE sacrificed
for momentary capricei Another instant and IL would
be too late. That instant was enough With rapid
gesture -FOUR Of the bearers summoned 20 their
duty pOmp aud circumstance held IT. own on our side,
and the honor of the United States elevated by 40
dexterous fingers and proudly berne aof Thus may 1t
ever wave
Those who present declare that the impressive
ness Of that reception has not been equaled IN the an
nails of dynasty which has continued unbroken since
the DAYS Of sennacherb, the contemporary Of the first
Mikado although not upon terms OF diplomatic intimacy
with him. Whatever loss Of grandeur may have been
occasoned by the nferorty Of the Russian display was
compensated by the imposing statelness OF our own
Not feature failed. Not train-Dearer tripped. The
words OF greeting were brief but the scene,
ured on competent authority, that never be
efaced All having been finished, that Is. all pre-
arranged movements having been executed, and the
ceremonial capabilities OF Legation having been
fully and nobly indicated, the moment for the fine
Republican coup, regarding which have already let
fall hint presented itself Suddenly exiricating her
self from her quadruple incumbrance and stimuli
taneously castirx of the panOply OF state which
had thus far encircled the proceedings, our Am
bassadress rushed forward. and In the expansive
breadth and openness OF the free spirit OF the mighty
West seized first the Emperors hand and next the En-
press's, and shook them with a gushing fervor that
amply reafirned the supremacy OF democratic sent-
ment in our Embassadorial heart. The Emperor was
Affected some say TO tears, while others say 70 only
single tear. Notwithstanding the importance OF ac-
curacy IN these matters II IS difficult 20 arrive at the
exact truth this point But the emotion OF the high
officials was uncOnceaabe. and the sObs or the tram
bearers were distinctly audible a distance Of several
feet II was over. There need be DO more What more
could there be On all points were triumphant, ana
the pyramid OF American precedence in Japan was
brightly crowned. An American lady had been first
welcomed by the unapproachable Mikado-under
the circumstances 1 place the other feminine
visitor out OF the question-an American lady
had FIRST dazzled him with tie luster OF gilt
teung grace, and subsequently overwhelmed him
with the mighty flow Of nature aud freedom, had IN
troduced the spirit Of liberty where the atmosphere Of
rsor and reserve had been undsturDed for centuries
and had beyond all chance OF dispute, produced sensd
ton and O thrill in the very OF the Court OF
Japan the recollection OF which no future event Of the
kind can ever be expected 20 oohterats.
such is the STORY isimple tale, Aut one, think
which no true American can hear without throb And
now TO show, contrast, the aspect Ia which the rage
ana malice OF our British rivals have clothed H. Here
10 Yokohama, little has indeed been sad. many nAsg
gone far confess that nothing required 10 be sad
that the facts spoke eOquenty Tor themselves. But
the oucry OF morbid Jealousy comes rom disIanSe
from British press az home. SHAH De Drlet WIN H.
tin her own refrtstion1 Do tney NOT like the dread
colonial boomerang, and rend their projectors
10 proclaimed that Mr. De Long, on receiving tue IN
ytaton Tor which he had SO long intrigued and which
mad 80 often been denied him. az MS wits end 70
what guse 10 respond 10 II tna Tue groesque
conception of procession OF tran-bearers the con-
sequence OF an ignorant suspicion that such form
might he adopted IN future by representative from
European courts and that he must cuunngy be before
hand with them that, not content Win the
train bearing burlesque pure ana simple, ne reuueItu
himself douby ridiculous by calling upon the Govern
Japan 70 provide the subordinate dramas per
soma that MS were opened whenlt was zoo Late
by the rebuke the Russian lady; that even he MN
self quailed, knowing something OF the conventions!
properties OF japanese life, at the audaclous haha
Shaking business; and that the consequence OF the
whole affair with III Outrages upon the sensluVeness
the dignity OF tue Imperial household Will probably
the refusal to extend similar compliment 10 repre-
sentatves OF nation whatever for an INDEFINITE tne
to come. That Is what the British journals say Inc
nj ziau can M fherg On n