Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-06-03
The Occident and the Orient


Srho Il. in Olympia Theater. Friday evening"
May 29th.
The Occident and the Orient a. they
existed a century ago, have vanished
and the next century will bring greater
changes than has the century past.
Wars and con1ucstS have left their
marks, while the growth and develop
meut Of the two Americans, the
emergencc OF Japan into a civilized
nation. ami the activities vi COM
merce, all combine, i'll II silent reyoiu-
ton to alter and obliterate old Land
marks, producing changes little Needed
or understood.
The China OF to-day is but little
changed from the China Of the day OF
Confucius. Its philosophy and lealn-
ing are the same. Its discoveries in
the arts and sciences halted with
| the invention of gunpowcr, the mar
iner's compass and the crude art OF
printing.
Its ancient canals, in commerce and
trade, are duplicated by what exists
to-day, while the great wall, erected to
repel the Tartars, has fallen into de
cay, and constitutes no barrier to
! those who have succeeded the wild
Arabs OF the North.
Nations, like individuals, have their
birth, their growth and their decay /;
China has entered the third stage. The
onward march of civilization has left
her far in the rear, while in the greed
for conquest, European powers are al
ready parceling out her domains.
This has been made possible by the
advance in the modern weapons of
warfare, both on land and on
sea, which China. in her devotion to
old methods and superstitions, has
neglected.
In striking contrast has been the
course of Japan, especially in the last
fifty years. Realizing the advance
made along every line of civilization,
Japan has open her country to outside
light and influences. Her students
were educated in the most eminent
and scientific colleges of Europe and
America. They studied along adj
vanced lines, and Notwithstanding her
adherence to a monarchical form OF
government, advance was made more
rapidly, on Il given time, than in any
other country. The intense energy of
the people is manifesting itself not
only in political and literary develop.
ment, the expansion of the railroads
and shipping industries, but in every
form OF manufacture known to the
western world.
The result is. a new Japan, and the
japanese Orient. active, intelligent
and progressive, has succeeded to the
Oriental history of the past. which in
feature and outline, differed little
from China.
Lying to the south of Japan are the
Philippines. which have been under
Spanish rule for centuries. The
natives have scarcely improved, while
the Spanish rule has been one of OPP
preston and robbery.
The first shot fired by the fleet of
the gallant Dewey was a signal of the
Spanish downfall in those islands, and
their opening to all the influences of
civilization.
Whether for longer or shorter
period the stars and stripes shall wave
over the Philippines, the ultimate
effect cannot be prevented and new
era dawns for the jewellers of the
tropical isles.
Changes in the Occident during the
past century have been equally marked
and extended. The 18th century has
witnessed the growth of one Of the
mightiest nations OF the world. The
scattered settlements along the At
lantic sea.board, one hundred years
ago, developed a restless wave of popu-
latiOn, spreading into and over and
beyond the great Mississippi valley,
bearing its burden of prosperity and
civilization westward. The discovery
of gold in California attracted people
from every corner of the globe, and
thence followed the vast colony which
now is developing the Pacific shore.
An unsurpassed climate. unrivaled
forests, minerals, fishing, agriculture,
and recently the Alaskan gold dis
coveries, have all combined to make
the Pacific slope the scens of marvel
Gus activity. Having reached its
western limit, the Modern Occident
stands face to face with the Orient.
Nor is this all; the possibilities of
development can hardly be estimated.
Take the natural increase in popula-
ton in the United States and by 1880,
according to the estimate made by
President Lincoln, we should be ma
ton of over $50 ,OOO, 900 with a proper
tionate increase in wealth. The Pa
cific slope, and especially Puget Sound,
will show the greatest local advances.
The near future will see Puget Sound
one system of cities and villages, while
the boundless power of nature in the
numberless rivers flowing down from
the mountains, will be harnessed to
do our bidding in manufacturing,
railway and other enterprises, sus-
tanned by their motive power.
The needs of commerce and naval
defences will soon demand-and the
demand will be speedily carried into
execution - the building OF ship
canal from Olympia to Gray's Harbor,
thus saving time, expense and the
dangers Of the sea experienced by seek
ing the ocean by way of the Straits of
Fuca.
These changes, which the near
future will surely carry out, will bring
to our doors the stately ships of all
nations. rivaling in greatness the
shipping of our eastern sea. board. and
then will Puget Sound become the
great throbbing commercial heart of a
mightier Occident, of which fair
Olympia shall be in name and i'm
portance, the Capital.
In our advertising columns will be
found an announcement OF Ex.Sena-
tor John J. ingalls, forthcoming book,
entitled Americas War For HUI