Living as we do in the midst of a people, which, if not of unmixedEnglish blood, is at least English in institutions, language and laws,where can we better read our destiny than in the pages of Englishhistory? “In our own hearts,” some will at once answer. But no, thethread of our fate is, to-day, more in the hands of the American peoplethan in our own.
The three nations, which have in modern times, most startled the worldby their progress, are England, the United States, and Japan. In theearly years of the seventeenth century, a part of the English people,impatient of the restrictions of their time, founded upon this continenta new and more rapidly progressive civilization than that which theyleft behind them in their old homes. But this was no beginning, only anacceleration of the movement, which had already placed England among theforemost powers of the earth. To study the conditions attending upon theentrance of the American people upon their path of progress, we mustfollow the pilgrims back to and into their English homes. What, then,does the history of the American people teach us? A simple lesson, stillmore impressively told by the history of Japan: that time may become aninsignificant element in the making of a powerful nation. What it tookEngland ten centuries to accomplish, the United States has done in twohundred, and Japan in thirty years. What mighty leavening agency hasbeen employed, what secret learned from nature’s workshop, that thesealmost incredible results, should have been so quickly, yet beyondquestion so well, won? The answer may be given in two words: England waschiefly hand-made, the United States, and above all Japan, have beenmade by machinery. Richly endowed with human genius, as with naturalresources, only time enough was needed to transplant modern politicalinstitutions, and economic and industrial machinery, and to trainnatives in their use, to enable Japan to raise herself, in onegeneration, high in the scale of progressive nations.
Thirty years ago, Japan stood hesitatingly upon the threshold of herhermit’s cell, and considered whether she should go out and join thethrong of bustling Europeans. America, England and Holland had beatenfuriously at her doors, demanding her answer. At this fateful moment,the daimio Okubu thus addressed the Mikado—“Since the middle Ages ourEmperor has lived behind a screen and has never trodden the earth.Nothing of what went on outside his screen ever penetrated his sacredear; the imperial residence was profoundly secluded, and, naturally,unlike the outer world. Not more than a few court nobles were allowed toapproach the throne, a practice most opposed to the principles ofHeaven. This vicious practice has been common in all ages. But now, letpompous etiquette be done away with, and simplicity become our firstobject. Kioto is in an-out-of-the way position, and is unfit to be theseat of government! Let His Majesty take up his abode temporarily atOzaka, removing his capital hither, and thus cure one of the hundredabuses which we inherit from past ages.”
“The young Mikado, Mutsuhito, came [Pg 4]in person to the meetings of thecouncil of s