Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-07-29
JOHN \. BINGHAM.
An Interesting Talk With the x-Minister-
The Sunrise Kingdom.

oOAA=N 80
An Interesting Talk With the Ex-Minister-
The Sunrise Kingdom.
ST. CLAIRsvILLE, o., July ga clt.
set upon the hills cannot be hid, and 10
threc-quarters of q century the sun In
smiled screnely on the quadrangula
streets of Cadiz, the home of John y. BlnS
ham. His residence is in the heart OF tn
town. neat two story house. MIR. Blng
hams library, on the left rs you enter, L
cheerful and coy. Since his return iron
japan, to which kingdom President Gran
appointed him Minister, he has lived ther,
quietly. welcomed by his old neighbour
and friends. He looked like q Statesman
of the old school, rs he greeted the CORE
spOndent; the heeting years have lined IN
features, but his mind is rs strong and Wig
orous rs when as n member OF the Judi
ciary Committee of the National Congress
he made his impress upon the constitution
OF his country. His knoweldgeof the Sun
rise Kingdom is thorough and volumlnOu
and he talks entertainingly OF 1t.
Japan is the land of flowers OF perpet
nal bloom and of everlasting green. II
its origin il is volcanic, and 1t is surround
ed by the deepest c The soundlngs o.
the coast show q depth of six miles, N l
a terrific carthquake-they are frequen
in that portion of the glObe-cOuld be I'M
agined To roll the island into the adjoining
sea. not even the peak Ofthe highest noun
tain could pierce the surface OF the waters
The country abOunds in minerals, eSpecl
ally coal. For silk growing 1t Is the hes
i'm the world, and capable Of indefinite IN
crease. Ii has grown tea for II centuries
1.-The people generally are BuddhiStS
Their legend relates that Buddha was IN,
generous and humaneSOn OF a great prince
who GOO years before the birth OF Chris
turned from the splendOrs of the court t
teach brotherly kindness and charity, ant
to benefit the human race. -.
The Japanese are sEillful workers IL
wood and also produce superior fabrics by
hand. As a people they areimitative, pro
greSsiye and brave. The introduction o
common SchOOlS-the first step any nation
makes in the march of progress-has me
with the greatest success. Education !
compulsory and universal, and in 1t N
g ste is recognized. They have also
large university at the capital and an en-
cheering college ON n large scale. Many
of the professors are from England and tn
United States.
AN ERA OF PROGRESS.
'sThe railroad, telegraph, telephone ant
newspapers are rapidly becoming natural
lied, and their postal system is equal Il
our own. The young Emperor came 10 tn'
throne after the revolution Of 1865, ana m
ascension marks the era of progress. lie
by the way, was thoroughly acquainted
with United States history, and when Gen
Grant started On his famous tom aroun'
the world he was anxious to III
the great soldier honor. lie dls
Matched two Ambassadors in IN imperla
shin 10 meet the General loo miles iron
the capital. The Emperor also tenderet
me one of his ships for the same occasion
not to accept. Escorted by the Empe
ror's ship, the party proceeded TO the capi
tai. And there was seen n display such IL
has not been witnessed since the days o
NebuchadnezZar. | believe thai fully L.,
600, 900 faithful people lined the broaC
street TO see the royal guest. Inc united
states statutes were used in establishing
their national banks. They are patterned
after u own, and the system Is based oil
public credit. ~
ssThev have o singular taste n appllca
ton for the beautiful in the Orient As re
cards their dead-they are buried III sit
ting positions, and the graves are marEe'
with small rough stones, uniform IN SIZE
The mute records Ofthese rough stones II
lustrate beautifully the absolute equality
of the grave. "a.
'SThe Kingdom of the Rising Run, it Il
called. Did it ever occur TO you tina
the first rays of the eye OF day beam on
.Janan's capital III hours before its hgh'
falls on Brooklyn bridge
Although MI. Bingham has spent SC
many wears abroad, yet his interest IN M
native country b undimiuished. lie ma
Lant abreast OF the times and studied care
fully and exhauStiyely all the great ques'
tons that have arisen since nc leit th'
halls of the National Congress Mr.. blng'
ham is now probably 40 years Old. lie
was graduated from Franklin College,
New Athens, o., and after having been al,
mitted to the bar began the practice ol
Law AT Cadiz, Harrison county.
HE RAPIDLYsROsE
in his profession and soon won a wide rep
ntation as a finished orator. In lso4 n'
was elected to Congress, and for eight terms
the district was proud to refer to nun n ls
renrcSentatiye. inthe Lower House ne wenl
~ tbs front and was an aeknowlcdged
leader among the prominent men who wert
members of the same body. During aPar'
of the wa and the reconstruction period ~
served as chairman of the Judiciary Com
mittee-a most important position. \ %
the largest vote nv member received was
chosen TO represent thu House IN the afa'
neaebment of President Johnson. lie Wa
Tnd0e Advocate in-the trial OF the eonspIr'
ator's against President Lineoln,s HE. II
1874 President Grant commissioned mn
Minister PlenipOtentiaTy to Japan, ane
that rosition he has held until the appoint
ment of his successor by President Cieye
land.
Since Mr.. Binghan.'s return ne q osel
a closeo observer of the passing events ID
referred with warmth to the growing Powe
of sboOdle' in politics. Corrupt Ponts
Clans. he believed, veFe only able 70 =
tain their grip because the people iAilsd !
take the proper interest in public alans