The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-09
Progress in Japan-A Talk by Minis
ter De Long.

has been entertaining the people of San
Francisco with lecture, or rather a
talk, respecting that country, in which
he stated many things of interest mark
ing the progress of the japanese toward
the higher plane of European and
American civilization. The size of the
territory Is greater than We generally
suppose, being equal in area to the three
great States of New York, Pennsylvania
and Missouri, and having sea-coast
line, including island, greater than that
of the United States. 1t is rich in min
erals. Copper, coal, iron, gold and sill
yer mines all exist and may soon be ex-
tensively worked. The Burning Noun
tain" near Yeddo, is held sacred by the
natives, who throw coins into the mouth
of the crater to appease the wrath of the
heather gods. These offerings are often
taken away by the less devout foreigners.
The japanese are improving their stock
and fruits by importation, chiefly from
the Uuited States. The people, whe
formerly inclined to a vegetable diet,
are rapidly acquiring an appetite for the
flesh of animals. As their grazing ia
cilities are ample, this gratIfcation of
taste may not be difficult. This country
promises TO become a good market for
California horses and cattle The ordi.
nary limit of travel for foreigners is
l.,
those ports open by treaty to foreigners.
As foreign Minister, however, the lee
turer was permitted to travel more ex-
tensiveIv. The ancient religion Of the
japanese was the Sintoo faith, which
teaches charity to the poor, cleanliness
of person and purity of spirit, filial de-
votion and great fidelity Of servants.
/ The Buddhist religion wds introduced
many centuries ago from China, and was
the prevailing faith under the Tycoon.
/ Many magnificent temples were erected,
/ and adorned with costly ornaments. The
/ aborigines were "Ainos" or hairy men, a
4 few specimens of whom may be still
found in the Jesse or Kurile islands.
They have wealthy, black flowing boards
reaching below the waist. Tradition says
that the present race of japanese came
mysteriously from Heaven to Nagasaki
/ in boat, and grew i'll strength and null
/ tiplied, till gradually they drove the
"Ainos" into obscurity, as we have the
/ Indian. Previous to the arrival Of Com
modore Perry in Japan with a formida-
bic feet all foreigners were most rigor-
ously excluded from the country, and
the people were SO exasperated at the
/ Tycoon for entering into that treaty, for
opening the ports and permitting trade
with foreigners, that. they deposed him
and restored the authority of the Mika-
! do upon the issue of the expulsion of
/ foreigners. But the formidable displays
of strength exhibited by the Americans,
English and French deferred them from
enforcing their policy and in few years
the Mikado became in turn the fastest
friend of the foreigner and Of progress.
| Mr. DE Long gives a most amusing ac-
count of his first presentation to the
| Mikado in person. He was at first in
formed that he could not be admitted
into the sacred presence of the royal
governor. But upon persisting that he
could accede to nothing short of what
his government was in the habit of ac-
cording to foreign ministers, and was
willing to accord to representative of
the Mikado in this country, he was fin
ally allowed to present the letter of the
President to the Mikado with his own
hands. Now, that ruler dresses in the
European fashion and goes forth to re-
view his troops surrounded by his staff
and a crowd of foreign visitors in the
most unconcerned way possible. Japan
has made rapid strides toward civiliza-
tion during the last quarter ofa century,
and the grandest events are predicted for
her in the near future.