The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-24

aid you in discussing their requirements and in
Producing such reforms aad changes as may seem
10 you 20 be most urgently demanded.
IL is our wish that your deliberations should be
miner differences, they should tend to promote
the ends in view IN calling you together.
course your conduct win be surely productive OF
the general welfare, and thus your deliberations
may become the foundation OF the eternal we'll
Understand, therefore, our views.
HIS MAJESTY RETIREs
The imperial party then withdrew, and the
meeting dissolved.
TIE ASSEMBLY REPLIES TO TIE SPEECH FROM THE
THRONE.
The following day the Assembly visited the
palace, where the following address in response
was delivered By President KIDD
We your humble servants In obedience to your
imperial wili, and with profound reverence, nave
Kuaigi provincial Assembly,.
We cannot foreten the results OF this our as
semblng, in which we have no experience to
guide us. But IL. happily inspired by Your Males
TVS benevolence and justice, the results or our
should contribute toward the welfare OF the
people. then not In vain Will the impeil VIII have
gone forth, and the efficiency or the Chihokuan
Kuaig Will be apparent TO all. Our earnest en-
deavors saa be directed to this end.
THE ROYAL REPLY.
This, in turn, was answered in these words:-
1t was our intention to nave convoked this as
semDly In the May of last year, but at that time
our foreign relations were attended with some
perpleXlLleS and demanded It's pOStpOnement. We
now greatly rejoice that tue members have as
sembed together.
history ahords neither precedent nor guiding
law, our hopes are based on the tenor OF your re-
ply, AID we confidently trust that your efforts
Win avail to bring forth from deep sources
streams OF lasting happiness TO the people.
THE COUNCIL AT woRK-ITs POWERS.
On the I'D commenced tue transaction of the
business for which the BODY was called together.
At one period IL was intended that the transac-
tons should be entirely unconcealed and ar
rangements were made for the publication Of iull
reports In the native newspapers; but the permls-
sion was subsequently, rescinded, and nothing
more tnan al onclal record will be printed. THIS
change was PROBABLY not caused by any objection
grew out OF an apprehension that the somewhat
loose and highly pens OF certain journalists mignt
deal In q disagree able and perhaps wanton way
with an expe riment that required delicate treat.
ment at the outset from all quarters Under
any circumstances, the debates are not
extensive circulation IN detail. Tney
upon questions OF general policy, but viii be re-
stricted TO purely local interests. The Assembly
has not even the power OF passing any enactments
OF Its own. Its functions are only consultative
and advisory. II IS for this reason that / have
said It's chiel SIGNIFICANCE is tae influence 1t may
have upon the future. The fact that such body
has met, discussed and acted within the circle OF
its privileges Wall be recorded as precedent and,
rage will be almost sure TO follow.
RESULTS
ton over certain branches OF internal politics
Will be looked for with serious interest.
The session Will continue only twenty days, after
which we shah speedily learn toward what conse-
quences It's actions are likely TO tend.
YOUTHFUL OFFICER IN HIGH POSITION.
The appointment OF Armon Mon 20 the second
position IN the Department OF Foreign Affairs is a
and will probably attract more hereafter The Sc
lection OF this young officer for a place which
involves peculiar responsibilities at the present
time appears 30 nave been as unexpected TO him.
self as it certainly was to the Official community
in general. Mr.. Morris youth would hardly have
been considered an obstacle to MS Advancement,
for his public career commenced at an unusually
early period; and in times OF revolution men 1--we
rapidly. and the experience they gain in tbs
often counts for more than that years passed in
ordinary routine. 1t was his fortune, moreover to
be thrown into situations, while ne still in
extreme youth, that severely tested his ABILITY
and discretion not to speak of courage,
japanese of his rank to require specification. HIS
nrst Introduction to the harsh realities OF life
during the defence of Kagosima the capital OF mis-
native province, against the assault of the British
feet, in 1858. In this he played only a cnlld's
part; but the children OF that region were as
ready as any to serve in repeAg the Invasion
that was then threatened. Not long after he was
enabled, through a stratagem conceived by pow
erIul retainer OF the house or Satsuma-now one OF
the foremost statesmen In the Empire-to eude
the restrictions set upon foreign visitation by the
government Of the Talkuns, and with a number
companions. TO make MS way TO England, where
he remained student Tor few years. Upon re-
turning TO Japan In 1868 his services were re-
CURED In the performance OF delicate diplomatic
duties both In Jeddo and Kioto, and, after the
imperial government in the new capital, he be-
came prominent as member OF the assempage
representing the courts or The damios, while the
federal system was still in complete force. Too
prominent, possibly, for his personal ease, since
ne was already known as an outspoken advocate
as inevitable necessities, were at that date so OBJ
noxious to the sensiblllties OF the samural class
that the safety OF their promoter far rom
being secure. in 1870, at the age or twenty-three,
MIR. Mort was nominated
CHARGE D'AFFAfREs AT WASHINGTON,
which once he held until 1873, when he returned
nome, and was given the post OF IDAHO" OF the
Foreign once. His succession OF onereus public
duties has been almost unDroken for seven or
eight years, and 1t Is Tor this reason that have
said his youth could have onered no impeachment
TO MS promotion. But there were other consid-
erations which many would have supposed to
stand IN MS way lie Is known 10 De reiormer
OF uncompromlslnR earnestness and TO entertain
and proclaim views upon many vital questions
wncn few persons directly associated with the gov
eminent are prepared 10 support without reserve,
although they may be secretly in sympathy with
them. In conservative state OF society, like
that IN which most OF the officials OF Japan move
and have their being, anything resembling fierce
ACTIVITY of progress or radical redress OF ancient
trust, but with anxiety and with grave DOUBT as
TO the applicability OF the means proposed to the
ends required. The CLOCK Of their werld may
move, but It's machinery must be regulated by a
heavy pendulum. TRis does not seem to have
most In the encouragement OF re, ormatory ideas,
and, among other WORKS that he has accomplished,
MEIRoKU SOCIETY
owes It's existence to MS Efforts. IL was hardly to
be anticipated That young man Of sucn alliances,
however brilliantly distinguished in other re-
spects, should have been chosen for Office which
has even more important interests attaching
to 1t than those which It's name naturally sug-
gests. Perhaps It was discovered, inquiry, that
Mr.. Morris radical procvities manifested them
selves only where his platforms were sound and
unmstakably tenabIe, and That upon questions
Affecting the welfare OF the state he could be as
cautious as the most conservative. Perhaps 1t
was remembered that some OF the measures he
advocated nve years ago, although they then
brought mis- life In danger, are now among the &C
nptaH a Z nrd wtofn nd havA
ceased to he thought or in the light OF reforms.
"progressIst' who only distances events by
year or so cannot be very dangerous enemy to
the community. AS to the arguments In his favor
they are patent enough. His industry, zeal and
cleverness are sufficiently well known. His per-
sonal character Is exceptionally high, and, indeed,
1t may be said that In tue recognition and enforce
ment OF certain social Obligations none other OF
his countrymen has aimed at SO nigh standard
as ne Whatever the reasons that may have in
duced his appointment, IL Is certainly public
advantage believe that II was not q suggestion
d q danar LmenL To winch he heAnQa mncn