Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-03-05
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ants created no little stir in Yeddo, and
many observations upon that nobleman
and his style of living were made that
could scarcely be called complimentary.
But 1t does not do for people living in
glass houses to throw stones. All the
members OF the Shogun's Cabinet had
at one time or another been guilty of
expressing their own peasants, and it
would be extremely awkward for them
now to sit in Judgment upon Kotsuke-
no-Suke. So it was decided to return
the petition to the compliments. Ac-
cordingly Sogoro received summons to
appear at the residence of Lord Kuze.
There he was met by two councillors,
who handed him the ill-starred memo
rial, saying:
"a short time ago you had the audaci
ty to thrust this petition into the hands
of Lord Kuze. BY his extraordinary
clemency he forgives your offense, but
beware that you do not again presume
upon his Lordship's forbearance, for i'll
will it fare with YOU"
q His Lordship's censure is just"
humbly responded Sogoro. 'iBut oh!
my Lords, this action of ours Is not
hasty or ill-considered. Year after year
have we suffered untold hardships, until
now we and our friends are without
even the necessaries of life.. Therefore
have we presented this petition. pray
you, Lords, consider our case, vouchsafe
to help us that we may live Our graft
tude to you shall know no bounds"
your request is a just one," replied
the councillors, when they had heard the
words of Sogoro, "but your memorial
can not be received"
Disheartened beyond measure, Sogoro
sought out his companions and ac-
quainted them with the result of their
efforts. 1t was gloomy evening which
the Soma men spent together, discuss
ing with fearful voices the desperate
extremity to which the failure of their
plans had reduced themselves and their
friends. At last Sogoro said:
"There is still one thing left for US to
do; we can appeal to our Lords master,
the Shotgun. know it is capital of.
tense for commoner to approach his
Majesty, yet, for the sake of my suffer.
Ing brethren, I shall sacrifice myself
that their wrongs may be made known
and happily righted. On the morrow,
therefore, do you all, except six men,
return to Soma and tell our poor friends
to have stout hearts, for there Is vet
hope for them"
Sogoro had from the first been recog.
nized as the leading spirit of the enter
prise> and his companions now made
haste to follow out his suggestions.
The intrepid farmer and his six asso-
ciates drew up q new memorial, setting
forth their grievances, In plain,
straightforward manner and earnestly
appealing for redress. Shortly after,
while tie Shotgun, Iyemitsu, was on his
way to Uyeno to worship at the tombs
OF his ancestors. Sogoro eentriyed 10
break through the troop of armed re-
tanners that were esoorting his Majesty,
and thrust the petition into the hsnds
OF the Shotgun. The daring farmer was
seized and hurried off toprison. Iyemitsu
was just ruler and gave the peasants
memorial his careful attention. The
result of it all was that Kotsuke-no-
Suke was ordered to reduce his tenants
taxes to proper amount, and to return
to them the money he had wYongfullY
deprived them of.
The Lord of Soma was q very angry
man, but though he might rage and VOW
'Oh6SnhS0 upOh buo ucduS OI Q1S t6n-
ants. BIO had to obey the orders Of his
chief. And thus: relief came at last to
the long-sufering peasants.
But, alas for poor Sogoro! The ire
vocable law Of the nation pronounced
his offense deserving of death, and he
was turned over to his legal Lord for ex-
ecution- IL feudal Japan the nobility
held the power of lite and death over
their peasant-vassals, and now the cruel
Kotsuke-no. Suke, thirsting for venge-
ance, determined to destroy the whole
family of Sogoro. In vain his tenants,
his Samurai, his councillors, and even
the Princes OF the surrounding country
besought the lord of Soma to be merci-
full; the bloody tyrant was inexorable.
Sogoro and his wife were condemned to
DO crucified, and their three sons, aged
seven. ton and Rhirhoon raunaotiya1,,