The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-03-23
JAPAN PAST AND PRESENT.

u l.
In April 1860, the first Japanese
Embassy that had ever visited any
country, came to the United States.
In June they visited Philadelphia.
The EoeniAg Telegraph in speaking
OF the visit says:
THAT event properly ranks with
the Declaration of Independence and
the Centennial Exhibition, as one
Of the most significant the city of
Philadelphia has ever witnessed.
The profound curiosity which then
stirred the city and its environs
grew largely out Of the fact that
previous to that time not more than
a half-dozen Philadelphians had
ever seen a Japanese. What little
was known about their mysterious
island had been revealed within the
preceding six years, since Commo-
dore Perry's expedition had first
lifted the inviolate screen which
had separated Japan from the gaze
OF the world for centuries. Accord
ingly the members of that Embassy
were personages of remarkable in
terest not only in themselves, but
tor what they represented. No such
Embassy mad been sent from Japan
to any other country, and the Ty-
coon Cor Shogun) then in supreme
command, had only agreed with
the American Ambassador, Town.
send Harris, to. send it, because
convinced that the United States
was the most friendly of foreign
nations, and he seems to have
thought that some report upon its
character might determine the ques-
ton whether it was desirable to per-
init further contact between Japan
and the outer world"
The Embassy consisted of eighty
persons, fifty-four of whom were
servants or personal attendants.
They were received everywhere
with royal hospitality, but no where
was it so elaborate as in Philadel-
phia. The parade included bands,
city officials, and a long line of
soldiery, and it was one of the most
brilliant pageants ever seen in this
country up to that time.
The present editor of this paper,
who was then a mere boy, had the
good fortune to be in Philadelphia
at this time, on a visit to relatives,
and saw this pageant as it passed
down Arch street. The members of
the Embassy, dressed in their
strange costumes, each OF the no.
bility wearing two swords, PIE
sented sight never before witness
ed in this country. We saw them
several times during the week as
they were going about the city.
That was forty.fve years ago,
and it was the beginning Of a new
era for the japanese Empire. 1t
opened up their gates to tbe world,
and commerce was established with
other nations. It introduced west
ern civilization and permitted
Christianity to gain a foothold. and
today most of their great
generals engaged in war with
Russia are members of Christian
churches. Their odd costumes have
been supplanted largely by
European dress, and today they
rank among the leading nations of
the earth as scholars, soldiers and
artisans. Their infantry now IN
the battle field has been pronounced
20 be the best in the world. This
nation which fifty years ago was
almost unknown to other countries,
ind was not considered among the
world powers, today has the mighty
Russian empire on its knees ready
TO sue for peace, out-generaled,
whipped, and on the retreat. The
little empire Of the sea is one of the
most wonderful nations of the earth,
md America can justly claim the
distinction of having shown her
the way.