Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-31
ESPECIAL correspoodeuce.l

ally tndE DeiOngS TO no Olnef Oflenta1 race
that ever attempted to establish itself in
America. The Chinaman brought his pigtail
and inherited habits from which he has not
chosen to depart. Processes of civilization
are things he has yet failed to understand.
Even his naandsrins, who come to Washing
ton as Representatives Of the three hundred
and sixty millions of whom our local John"
is but vulgar fraction, fail to enter into the
spirit of our government. and but for their
magnificent display in hospitaoie en6eayor
would be of small concern.
The Japanese, however, whether repre-
sented by his ministers at Washington, or in
his own person as he walks the streets of our
great cities, illustrates in his career that
prompt recognition of ciFilizing influences
which mark the grand development Of the
century.
From the time of Commodore Perry's ex-
petition to Japan in 1852, when that empire
was first opened to American intercourse,
when nabobs and natives alike crowded
around the exhibits of American art and in
dustry-our sewing machines, toy steam en-
gines, railways, piows, barvesters, and other
mechcnisu1s showing how the work of a null
titude cocld be done by single hand-the
japanese has been the closest observer and
initator of American thought, habit and as
sociations Today he stands almost shoulder
to shoulder with the American in his alert
ness TO adopt whatever is new practical or
progressive. His cities are traversed by our
street railroads, his streets are lighted by our
electricity, his farms are being improved by
American labor saving machines, his schools
are filled with American teachers, who are
carrying our American system of education
throughout the empire, and his people are
adopting both our speech and costume. Is il
a wonder that a sharp contrast may easily
be drawn between the japanese and the
Chinaman?
Without going into careful statistics, it
may be said that the japanese in America to-
day number about seven or eight hundred,
of whom the majority aremerchants distrib-
uted through our largest cities. But wher-
ever you meet one he is sure to be dressed
like a gentleman, to speak cur language with
more or less of fluency, and he will have
adapted himself quickly to European meth
DDS. OF Cinnamon there must be five times
as many more in the east, but beyond their
ability to make out incomprehensible wash
bills they command little respect, and, social
ly speaking, are scarcely more than the larva
that have swarIned into life from some mon-
ster of whom the world knows nothing.
The Japanese of New York are chiefly en-
gagged in the Importation of raw silk tea,
lacquer ware and bric-a-brac, or they occupy
official positions, OF are students in our col
leges. They are homogeneous and live in q
little colony of their own, a club room being
one of the principal gathering spots, where,
after the business cares of the day, they as
sembie for social enjoyment. They have a
bank through which large commercial affairs
are conducted, the special capital in Yoko-
hama being upwards of 81 ,000, GOO. Many
American, German and English people do
their business through TINS medium, owing to
the fact that there are branches in London,
San Francisco, Melbourne, Australia, Ham,
burg and other cities. The language of the
officials in these institutions as rule is
japanese. but most of the attaches speak
English fuently, and you are always sure to
find one European bookkdeper.
One of the peculiarities of the japanese
merchant is that he always has an eye open
to surrounding improvements. Realizing
that his nation has taken her place among
the great commercial powers that are NOV
ing abreast, nothing escapes his attention
that may condCce TO his own or his peoples
welfare In matters of taste he has become
a leader, and the japanese bedroom, tea room
or parior has become n feature in many an
American establishment where wealthy &C.
centricity presides. He is more or less famil-
lar with our literature, especially that which
concerns the steam engine, electricity, agri-
culture and the mechanical factors in our
progress. In short, the japanese gentleman
can hold his own IN conversation on general
topics with every well bred American and
to many of them can give points"
Another noteworthy characteristic connect
ed With this remarkable people is the paternal
care exercised by their government, through
censuls, over those who may be absent from
their empire. Apparently record is,kept Of
the movements of every individual. Whether
he be at Yale, Harvard. Cornell, in Chicago
studying law, in Iowa learning the mysteries
of modern farming, or in the workshops OF
Philadelphia plunged deep in the ysteries of
railway engineering, this personal interest in
the welfare of the individual seems to be one
OF the requirements Of the officials who repre-
sent his country.
Another class Of Japanese is composed Of
sturdy sailors-and it is said that they make
the best in the world-that are to be found
on the ships plying between Japan ports and
Il
belonging to such a trough and tumble
fraternity they would often be found IN
trouble; bat the records show few instances
in which japanese of any grade, high or
low, ever has been brought before an Ameri-
can court to answer even for q nisdemeanor,
to say nothing Of crime. Can any fact
more fifty than this praise nation SO recent
ly emerged from darkness into hgbtt
81.
japanese works OF art, decorators and en-
broidery, silks, fans, porcelain. bamboo
work, etc, has resulted in the establishment
in New York of large firms with branches
in other metropolitan cities, and their impor-
tations have thus greatly increased Prior
to this period, however. raw silk was the
Grief article of trade between the two coua-
tries, the silk being brought here In bales o.
about one hundred and twenty pounds each.
These quickly found market among Amer
can silk manufacturers. 1t is not generally
known that there are certain grades of goods
10 which Japanese silk gives peculiar life and
electricity, Sich, for Instance as gros gram,
handserchiefs, ribbons, etc. On the other
hand Ii is Sid lot 10 compare with certain
OF the Chinese SKIS IN making the twist for
burs1nhoies
When ore visits a JapaDese var,ho1se IA
America De finds himself practically IN a
museum OF caricssties that range IN aItrac-
trenes from the polite clerk vrso gTeets yoa
at the doorway 70 tns cod iooxr1g biss os I
bric-a-orac warch n.A.e even tsscomr1ozest
corner conspicuous Vita rare courtesy,
that well deserves imitation, and VITA q voscs
alrnos. Of woEnsnly geutAeaess. the clerk viii
describe the various arcsciss Of vfrto Or Use
IN the establishment aad althcogn ycu. may !
not buy penny s wcrtn, f. Is al Sons vita