The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-06-27
LETTER FROM SEATTLE.
Correspondence of The Journal.

tention in this city recently were
Chinese funeral of Jan Yot an officer in
high standing in the Chinese Masonic
order; the funeral of Mrs. Furnya, wife
OF a prominent japanese merchant;
and an elaborate banquet given by Mr..
Sotokichi Hayashi, the Consul OF
Japan at this port, to the prominent
business and professional men of
Seattle.
The first of these events was particu-
larly interesting to the great number
of newcomers in the city from the
eastern States who had never wit
messed a Chinese funeral. A small
temple was erected in the street
and the body was placed under it,
buried in flowers. On tables surround
ing the temple were provisions enough
to feed small army. These were later
conveyed to the cemetery and arranged
about the grave, that the devil may
stop to feast, while the spirit of the
dead speeds on to its final resting place
unmolested. The Seattle Military Band
led the procession, followed by two
Chinese bands. Next came the hearse,
drawn by four spirited black horses,
then the pail bearers on horseback,
and the banner carriers, all gaily deco
rated The widow, supported by two
Chinese women walked until exhausted,
and was then placed in carriage.
Nearly every hack in the city was
engaged and followed in line.
Quite different was the second, the
beautiful burial services OF another
from the Orient, a daughter Of the
tlowery kingdom. Not with pagan
custom and Celestial pomp, as in the
first case, but strictly American and
Christian in all its arrangements. Over
three hundred japanese, all dressed in
the regulation black, were present
Forty four hacks were engaged, and
elaborate floral pieces covered the cas-
ket. Nearer My God to Thee was
the opening hymn, and all the services
were in japanese language. The devo
ton and tenderness of the japanese to
ward their womankind was very APP
parent.
The banquet by the japanese Consul
was held at one of Seattle's leading
hotels, with the Governor OF the State,
the representative in Congress, and
sixty prominent men OF this city as
guests. The banquet hall was beauti-
fully decorated, the japanese and Amer
lean flags being conspicuous. Festoons
of ivy with japanese lanterns OF unique
designs, and the rhododendron, the
WASHINGTON State flower was extern
sively used, and an elaborate menu
served. Appropriate toasts to the oc
casion were elequently responded to.
The following is a brief extract from the
speech of Consul Hayashi: "Ien years
ago the name of Puget Sound and that
of Seattle were unknown almost IN
Japan. Few persons had heard either
of these names. Later reports OF Sc
attic and the cities of the North Pa
cific Coast came to Japan. Our peo-
pie began to seek your city. Trade re-
lations grew. There are now in the
United States but four cities with Jap
anese Consuls: New York, San Fran
cisco. Chicago and Seattle. With the
Il ch
Seattle promises to become one of the
greatest of the cities of this nation
The other speakers talked most enter
tainingly of the new and closer rela-
tons as we look across the Pacific, and
the benefits to both nations. How the
Occident could and would learn from
the Orient lessons in patience, self-res-
traint. subordination of the individual
and other virtues in which America is
somewhat deficient. The Orient, would
in turn, learn much from the Occident,
and ultimately the right balance would
be struck. The growing commerce of
the n orth Pacific Ocean, the establish
ed Nippon Yusen Kaisha line between
Seattle and Japan; and the plan of the
giants of Wall street to girdle the globe
with a line of steamers and railways
through the Seattle gateway, were all
referred to. 1t was a most happy meet
ing 10 the waking nation of the far
East, and the most progressive city of
tho f. rt host West
Two additional companies for the
Pacific trade, with lines Of steamers
and ships, are now entering the field
with Seattle as home port. The
Globe transportation Company, with
1000, 100000 capital incorporated by
J. w. elise, President of the Seattle
Chamber of Commerce, and Syracuse,
N. y, syndicate, has some of its YES
sells en- route around the Horn, and will
build more here. The China Mutual
Steam Navigation Company, backed by
English capital, is also active, having
just contracted for docks at Seattle
that will cost 100000.
These and other transportation COM
panies are attracted by the great in
ducements to American ships to enter