Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-05-24
j a PAN.
An Interesting Talk with Rev. j. r.
Frazier. Recently One of the
American Legation in
Jap-Land

Frazier, Recently Une OF the
American Legation i'll
Jap-Land.
i LAST WEEK mention was made of the
Ireturn from Japan, of Rev. 5. Il. Frazier
son of James Frazier, Esq, north of
town. MI Frazier, for number of
years. has been a resident of Japan, &C,
cupying official positions, which have
afforded him rare opportunities to be
come informed concerning the country
its government, and people. The III.
ltelligencer of Saturday, contains the fol-
lowing report of an interview with the
Reverend gentleman, which will he read
with interest:
Mr.. Frazier'S trip to this country at
this time is in the hope of recovering his
health, which has been very poor for
: several months. His native climate has
already had al appreciable effect in the
desired direction. He expects to remain
in this vicinity month or so yet.
ME. BINGHAM's INTENTIONS.
Mr.. Frazier says he would not be sur:
prised 10 learn of Mr.. Bingham's resig-
nation and return to this country any
day. He knows that it is not his inten-
tion to remain in Japan beyond the end
of the present administration, ii indeed
he remains that long. lie was disposed
to resign some time ago but for the fact
that he was negotiating important
ltreaties. These now being completed
and ratified. he feels that his mission is
in sense accomplished, and as he is
well advanced in years he feels o strong.
or inclination to return home. One con-
sideration which induces him to remain
abroad is the beneficial effect of the
country and climate on lis health.
which has been very guol since his res
idence there.
The talk about Mr.. Bingham for the
Republican nomination for Congress in
the district over tue river last year was,
Mr.. Frazier says, news to him when in
Iteliigence of the use his nams reach
ed him. The fact that he had been
talked of as possible candidate for Gov
ernor of Ohio this fall had not reached
him Mr.. Frazier left Japan.
THE JAPANESE PEOPLE.
Mr. Frazier speaks highly of the char
acter of the people of Japan, and says
the nation is civilized beyond the con-
ceptiOn of any person who has not visit
ed the country of late years. About
nine years ago change took place in
the government. Prior to that time the
immediate ruler was a Tycoon, but all
matters of Importance had 10 be refer
red to the Mikado, who held sort of
spiritual sway over the empire, and re-
ceive his sanction before they were of
any authority. At the time spoken of
revolution took place, which resulted
i'll placing the MikadO himself upon the
throne as the real ruler of the people,
while the Tycoon was depoSed. The
present MikadO has ruled since. He has
First and Second minister, and twelve
councillors selected by himself from
among the men of high rank. Besides
these, who form the emperor's household
proper, the head officials of the various
departments of the government form
the Assembly. All these are appointed
by the Mikado, and anything like suf-
| frage is unknown in the empire The
Mikado has given his promise, however,
that at the end of a period of which
oCNCH yCdtO HOH IOludllIS, ILt
question of adopting a constitutional
form of government shall be submitted
to the people. The Mikade himself ia
vors its adoption.
THE JAPS AS ARTISTS.
Mr.. Frazier says all the Japanese are
natural artists. They use a small plant
brush in writing, and thus become very
skillful with it. Some of their work is
really marvellous, especially paintings of
birds ard flowers. Work Of this kind is
much cheaper there than in other coun-
tries, but not so much cheaper as form
erly. They have learned what value
foreigners put On the work, and demand
pay accordingly. Most of the cheap
work exported is made by inferior art
lists and sold for a mere song. A great
deal of color printing is done. The ia
panese are advanced in the Art Preser-
vative as in all fine arts, and have nu-
merous printing presses. issuing daily
papers modelled after the American,
with telegraph news, sensational head
lines and all.
The present prevailing religion in the
empire is the Buddhist, which was intro
duced from China. The original relig-
ion was sort of worship of ancestors.
The empire proper consists of two ISL
ands, Niphon and Yesso. Toxic, the
capital, formerly Yeddo, is on the FORM
er of these. The interor of the latter
is still occupied by peculiar race of |
hairy people called Amos, supposed to
be the Aborignes, from whom many be-
lieve the present Japanese people to be
descended, though this is disputed the
ments of a language, WHICH nobody else
has ever been able to acquire, but they
are inoffeDsive and semi-civilized.
A NEW CODE OF LAWS.
The present ruler has an entire new code
of laws, as well as a code of procedure,
promulgated. These are based on thei
French system, and have been highly
praised by foreigners. The cities have
police systems resembling the French
Gen Darmerie.
The old laws, Mr. Frazier says, were
incredibly severe. Theft was punished
with decapitation after the third offense
Murder is still punished with death.
Formerly faithlesSneSs to the marriage |
vows was punished by boiling alive in
oil or tearing asunder by oxen. As
consequence of this state of affairs, theft |
is very uncommon among the natives,
and lapse from conjugal virtue is un-
heard of. The simple habits of dsess of
the people, especially in the rural dis
tricts, are astonishing to stranger.
The new laws modify the penalties
somewhat, among other things abolish
ing torture. which was common under
the old regime.
THE FOREIGN INFLUENCE.
Since Japan became accessible to the
nations of the world, she has made i'm
mense strides forward in the arts, sci
ences and manufacturers. Gradually the
influence of foreigners is shown in the
adoption of foreign clothes by many of