The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-08-10
CoREA AND THE CoREANs.
Most People Would Not Want To
BE The Kings Subjects.


BE The Kings Subjects.
The conflict between China and Japan |
in the peninsula Of Corea directs oil eyes
to that fertile and productive. but almost |
unknown territory, for il is not beyond the
range Of possibility that a war between the
two great Oriental empires might involve
England and Russia. If that we're the
case, il would be strange commentary
on the recent development of political and
commercial relations between opposite
quarters Of the world.
In the latest number of "Globus, geo.
graphical magazine, appears an article by
G Arnous, who for the last ten years has
occupied an official position in Fusan, the
chief Corean port of entry, and knows the
country thoroughly. 1t may be of inter
est to abstract few of the more striking
details, which the aathor gives partly
from his own observation. and partly from
manuscript placed at his disposal by the
French missionary bishop Of Corea:
The king is an absolute autocrat, and
holds The power Of life and death, even
over princes Of the royal blood. To him
the first fruits" of every industry are an
nualy offered. and be is the recipient Of
almost diyire honors. The suzerainty Of
China is 20 far acknowledge that the king,
on his accession, receives his official name
from the Chinese emperor; but it is high
crime to pronounce it, and it is used only
in REPORTS addressed 10 tie "Son Of IIeav-
en-" 1t is only after his death that he re-
ceives from his successor the name by
which he Is 10 be known in history.
In the presence Of The king no one Is al
lowed TO wear either Fpectaclcs or veil.
| His person must not lie ioched nor he
brought in contact with iron or steel. This
regulation cost the life of former king.
who died IN the year 1890 Of ,umor. which
nigh, readily have beer removed by the
surgeons knife. ! later sovereign. under
similar circumstances. had the good sense
TO insist upon an operation, thus putting
his surgeon in a very awkward dilemma.
fer. il be refused to oSey the kings con-
mand, his head vas certain 10 come of
while. il he nbeyed. he subjected himself
to the penalties Of high treason. As it was,
the attachment Of tie people 10 their cd
traditions Il 50 bIind.y obsiirA'e that
though the monarch's life was saved. he
had difficulty in rescuing his deligeres
from the clutches ot the law. The dress
to 6e worn a; court IS Iigidiy prescribed
by .he master Of ceremonies, ard a persor
receiyed in audience must testify his sub
jeetion by continual obcisanoes. Ever,
hoFseman. os whatever rank. must dis
mount before tie paI-ce walls and p1rsa'
his way en- foo, until be has passed them
II the king e.iaaces n touch any one, ID.
/, individual 50 honorei must ~ear upon Iha
Part OF The pe'sox a visible token, nsaalII
rsi silken cord. as perpetual memoirs
o. dis;inc ion exiraorsinary.
The C3sssa Coins 10 n, bsag he King.
iu ase or supsF.criP'ior. a0a aecaEse. :
in MohAmmeslsn coaa,Sies. images aae for
L;d8sn - he sacrtd law. but iecause
woaid BE- Po.:u'-G Iy the drgsrs ot th
PoPalaoc. Uu'a l.'sly eliqasi's has for
biids tlsai any Tosirsi, OF the Alng shoCl
appear daring 81 life TO be gazei sPon b!
prSiAne eye. bst ssacs Csse4 has been in
rleasuse. oqrnsd 10 soseign intsrcoarse, ik
ssrie nsss Ct The suls Las been relaxed. az,
, PiAs.osrAP both oft1e preseni kirg ans
the cso~n prince are now oe'a5nsb'e lii,
royal rtsi5eses sas by ~ means pal-iis
aspect bs' cfnsisis Ct a. aggregation Il
baii5inSs a. varsoss sizes ard degrees q
adosaaavns. in-lsdins some large saloons
surrounded By high sail. When a sab
jsc; has Pe;i,ioa 10 PErieat. be klndses
bonfire on aeighboring all. sad, il ,hI
kspgens 10 attract lie sius's so;ice. b
usually fe1ds al stten6ant SC fisd cat @h.
it Is ali sbozs lr altI;soa 20 ,he apart
meats occupied By shs royal household At
:hosr dSsigGatej the aaess'rAl sharabef1
a zh'0h The portals Or images Of iofHae
sovs,eigns sEe placed. Aaa hosose3 as ifshs
~esc ttiG iiyirg- Tne us,oanzr5 rcPAsi
are daily paced before them. iasy ate a
tended ~ crowd of sunazhs and tnsi
servants. and the royal etiquette
s,iic;is ent reea a. Ia ,he Prsssne- Q
Of the reigains King.
Tke ~crsi.ip Of ancss;ors j.. IN tsct th
tsssi. Of The Core2n cult The funeral c
a k;ng j. the most solenn and sPieudi
OF ali cersDosiaIs. TIE Colcins are re
qai,ed TO regard ,hsir kias as their father
and 10 wear nourni los - 'aoslhs sf,e
his decsas-. Duflas the tirtt 6Fe men
of this period no sasriace eau hc oIerct, n
mur.ages csIsh'~:eI aud even The tea
remain uatur;sd. Msai Is at ibis i'm
blnisAed from the Coseaa bill VI ilFe, TO
20 animals sse aliosed TO he KILLED. an
criminals { IN Be nSithSr sen.eHcrj r.1s ex
ecuiei. +iey ssen 10 be tie cal, clss
10 y h,r The dsa- n Of The kiag h-iess ad
vsa.sse. D3Eng 'he rsma!nsag - n.orth
he gov if.msn, purseribes TIE siy.e o
dress II ts WORT. aud bright coioss an,
expensive SUITS z-c :ic,ly t. ii 'sn. Tai
may act as wholesome slsect uyoa ex
ttayag1uce but, uadst all ,hs circamsia.'
ces The IN ajority Of msnkind wSuIi scarce.
ly choose - be tie subjects Of snr King o
Corea.
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