The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-05
Our Special Contributors---ISo5.
CHINESE AND JAPANESE PATRIOTISM,
+ y = By ARTHUR H. SMITH.

III SiicuhiotuHC05 WOulu Seou uOJ only lu-
credible, but would be morally imposs-
BILE. Yet this is no more than occurs
in Western lands, as was seen in money
getting America in our Civil War, and
on the Continent in 1870.
On the whole, therefore, we find Chin
ese patriotism to be very mixed thing,
and it is not to be dogmatized about in
an epigram, nor are we prepared to say
what its relations may prove to be to
the presest war with Japan. The mi
crobe" of patriotism we discover as ex.
istent in large numbers, but it generally
dies in the Matching, and is moreover
preyed upon by other and ordinarily
more active bacilli.
Turning now to the Eastward we are
confronted with one of the most re-
markahle contrasts to be found among
mankind. The Japanese, too, are Ori
entails. and but yesterday were in
state of isolation and seclusion far ex-
ceeding that of China; but that nation
al feeling which in China is a mere
strain in the blood. is in japan the blood
itself. The whole world laughed at the
conceit of the universal Yankee nation
during the first two or three generations
after separation from Great Britain.
But the pride and conceit Of the new
born nation on the shores of the Allan.
in <In
feelings of young Japan after quarter
OF century of successful and indeed
amazing evolution.
The patriotism of the Japanese is like
a million little torpedoes scattered along
the streets on a national holiday. There
is an explosion at every successive
second. Those who are accustomed only
to the stolid indifference of the average
Chinese, cannot possible realize the diff
ferent atmosphere of Japan. The whole
nation seems to b6 electrically alert
like little fox terrier, with one ear up
and one down, both eyes eagerly watch
ing, the whole body ready to CO operate
in bark at a seconds notice, and if any
provocation is given. in vigorous bite.
How much this national temper modi-
fies the relations of minister's consuls,
merchants. travellers and missionaries
with the japanese. it is hard for those
who have not lived in the Orient ade-
quately to comprehend. To make a
Japanese bow is a serious matter to any
one. One cannot strike a Japanese
servant or coolie as many foreigners in
China do with their employees. OF the
various classes named perhaps the mis-
sionaries have the most difficult task of
all. and some whose success has been
conspicuous, yet find that they have
gone against the national grain, or have
run into some knot in the wood, and
thus their whole work seems spoiled.
The question of treaty revision has
kept the Japanese nation in an unwonted
ferment for many years. This accounts
for large part of the antipathy to for
egners which has been SO prominent a
factor in the relations between Japan
and her guests. She wants self govern
ment, but che does not know what self
government is, nor how to get it, even by
the perpetual gathering and proroguing
of fresh Parliaments which manifest
thirst for free speech and criticism of
government measures greatly in excess
of what it is possible for the rulers to
tolerate. Many Japanese do lot appear
to be aware that nation must grow
into some acquisitions, and that they are
not to be had in a foreign market, nor
yet at university manned with foreign
instructors They cannot yet SEQ that
results follow processes-often long pro-
cesses.
1t may be true, as we are told. that
the Japanese as whole have no real de-
sire to expel foreigners, as many Chinese
wish to do, but that they merely wish to
use them. Above all, they want that all
foreigners, in or out of Japan. should be
duly impressed with the wonderful
greatness. the incompatible exploits of
Japan. Now this progress is, as all the
world knows, and as we have just admit
ted with extreme cordiality), very amaz.
ing But it is also very amusing, unless
one happens to be the victim. In that
case one might almost bo tempted to
concur in the verdict of one who had
worked hard for the Japanese, and suf-
fered unusual insult at the hands of a
few boisterous representatives of young
Japan" and who under extreme provo
cation, no doubt philosophically re-
marked, Il tell you they are unutterable
puppies!"
One of the most striking examples of
the ultra patriotism of the japanese
which we remember to have met, was ex-
hibited in the summer of 1893. when
Japanese military officer, who has trav-
eled from Berlin overland to Vladiyo-
stock, returned to his native land. He
was everywhere welcomed with honors
which would have been appropriate to
General Grant after the war with the
South. Kobe, Yokohama, Toxic, every
city which this man passed through was
ablaze with sPlendor. and in the fulsome
addresees with which he was Telcomed