The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-04-20

! TIE reception of the King by the japanese Gov.
4 ernment cannot but be gratifying to the Hawaiian
people. He has been treated right royalty, and
native and foreigner alike cannot help feeling
satisfaction at the manner in which he has been
recognized. The remarks which appeared in the
Press upon this subject ten days ago were decidedly
premature seeing the manner in which the recep-
ton had been prepared for him, it was impossible
for the King to refuse to receive it. A man may
invite you to take pot luck" with him, and then
seat you down to a banquet, and you can hardly
quarrel with him for 50 doing
It would be bad taste for US to criticize the
action Of the japanese Government. Their own
papers have done so, regarding it as an error of
Judgment and breeding" but with that we have
nothing to do. Let the japanese settle that matter
among themselves. We have only to thank that
country for signal mark Of its courtesy, which
though offered to the King, may be regarded as a
compliment and sign of good feeling to the
whole Hawaiian people. Japan has probably =
great future before her. She has assimilated
Western civilization in a wonderful manner. She
has in quarter of a century changed her national
characteristics. On to the old. sleepy Eastern
civilization the feverisl enterprise of the West
has been grated. Railways, telegraphs, iron
clads, military force on German principles, a
school system modelled on the lines Of that of the
United States, printing offices, manufactures,
changes of dress, police force. changes in inter-
nal and external policy, render this country most
interesting object of study both to the statesman
and the historian. Many people on visiting Japan
re carried away by the appearance of progress,
but it must be remembered by all who 90 there
that what is TO be seen now is but the seething
and bubblins of a reaction. To judge of the prac-
teal results of all these great changes in that
country, the world must wait for another quarter
or even half century so. Still there is every
hope for this empire. Situated as she is, having
the great internal resources which she possesses,
Japan may hope to occupy one Of the foremost
places in the list of Pacific nations. There is no
doubt but what the drama of human history is
going 10 be played on larger scale by the coun-
tres bordering this ocean than it has ever been
before. Because II Is larger does not necessarily
imply that 1t Is going TO be g,1aIdsy- for the
grandest roles have up to the present been. as
rule, presented upon the smallest stages. There
Is, however, danger and great danger. that the
changes in Japan NAV have been too sudden that
the Japanese Government have undertaken as ii
were, TO feed their peoples minds and manners
too abundantly, and that they may suffer III
consequence Beneath the surface of all that looks
50 smiling there is much discomfort; the people
are not 50 prosperous and contented as one is led
To believe the foreign and reform policy is not so
universally liked as many people imagine in fact,
AZ present in Japan there is large section of the
lower class of the population which Is poor ano
dissatisfied and among the higher classes there is
a distinct party which is very much opposed to
the introduction of Western innovations
However. Just now it Is not our province TO
morallze too much upon the pros and cons of
Japanese politics and reforms. Our duty is to
thank the japanese Government for the courtesy
they have shown to our sOvereien-a courtesy we
ought the more 10 appreciate inasmuch as we can
never hope to be able to return it in kind and
such thanks are most heartily gwen by this paper