USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Oelwein > The Telegraph-herald's abridged history of the state of Iowa and directory of Fayette County, including the city of Oelwein, with a complete classified business directory; > Part 21
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gold and silver and substitute radium I will still insist that they have the right to do it. And if they decide to give Morgan one pound and Rockefeller the other, I shall still stand with the people and watch Rockefeller and Morgan while they use the money.
"The people have a right to have trusts if they want them. They have a right to have one trust, a hundred trusts, or a thousand, and they also have a right to kill every private monopoly.
NO EXCUSE FOR FRAUD.
"If the people have a right to have what they want, then the duty of the party is plain. It is to present to the people a code of principles and policies to be acted upon by them. Who can defend the practice of deception upon the voters? Who can justity the winning of a victory by false pretense? Who can excuse a fraud upon the people? No one can defend a party ideal that does not require honesty in party contests. The policy of the party must be determined by the voters of the party, and he must have a low conception of political ethics who would seek by stealth to give to the minority of the party the authority that belongs to the majority. And so he must have a low conception of political ethics who would seek to secure for a minority of the people the authority that belongs to a majority. I want my party to write an honest platform, dealing candidly with the questions at issue; I want to nominate a ticket composed of men who conscientiously believe in the principles of the party as enunciated, and then I want the party to announce to the country. These are our princi- ples; these are our candidates. Elect them and they will carry out the princi- ples for which they stand; they will not under any circumstances betray the trust committed to their keeping. This is the ideal that the democratic party ought to have, and it is an ideal high enough for every party.
"There is this difference between the ideal and other things of value, namely, that an ideal cannot be patented or copyrighted. We often see things that we cannot hope to possess, but there is no ideal however high that cannot be ours if we desire it. The highest ideal of human life that this world has ever known was that furnished by the man of Gallilee. But he was an ideal within the comprehension of the fisherman of his day, and the Bible says of Him that the common people heard Him gladly. So with a high party ideal. It can be comprehended by all the members of the party, and it can be adopted by every party. If we can fight out political battles upon this plane, there is no humiliation about defeat. I have passed through two presidential campaigns, and many have rejoiced over my defeats, but if events prove that my defeats have been good for this country, I shall rejoice over them myself more than any opponent has rejoiced. And when I say this 1 am not unselfish, for it is better for me that my political opponents should bring good to my country than that I should by any mistake of mine bring evil. Senator Hill of Georgia once said:
"'Who saves his country saves himself and all things saved do bless him; who lets his country die, lets all things die, dies himself ignobly and all things dying curse him'
"This is my country. I want good government while I live; I want to leave a good government as a priceless legacy to my children, and if my political opponents can devise for my country, my children and myself a better govern- ment than I can devise, they are not my enemies, but my friends.
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NATION MUST HAVE AN IDEAL.
"Not only must the party have an ideal, but the nation must also have its ideal, and it is the ideal of this nation that has made it known throughout the · world. You will find in foreign lands who do not know our population or the number of acres under our flag. You will find people who do not know how many cattle we raise or how much corn or cotton we export, but you will not find people anywhere who have not some conception of the nation's ideal. This ideal has been a light shining out unto all the world and its rays have illumined the shores of every land. We have boasted of this ideal in the past, and it must not be lowered now. We followed this ideal in dealing with Cuba. It was my good fortune to be in Cuba on the day when the formal transfer took place, and I never was more proud of my nation in my life than I was on the 20th day of May, 1902, when this great republic rose superior to a great temptation, recog- nized the inalienable rights of Cuba and secured to them the fruits of a victory for which they had struggled and sacrificed for more than a generation. We hauled down the flag, it is true, and in its place they raised the flag of the Cuban republic, but when we lowered the flag we raised it higher than it ever was before, and when we brought it away we left it enshrined in the hearts of a grateful people.
LET FLAG STAND FOR JUSTICE.
"Is it the desire of any simply to make our flag feared? Let us rather make it loved by every human being. Instead of having people bow before it, let us have them turn their faces toward it and thank God that there is one flag that stands for human rights and for the doctrine of self-government everywhere. There are some who say that we must now have the largest navy in the world in order to terrorize other nations and make them respect us. But if we make our navy the largest in the world, other nations will increase their navies because we have increased ours, and then we will have to increase ours again, because they have increased theirs, and they will have to increase theirs again because we have increased ours-and their is no limit to this rivalry, but the limit of the power of the people to bear the burdens of taxation. There is a better, a safer and a less expensive plan. Instead of trying to make our navy the largest in the world, let us try to make our government the best government on earth. Instead of trying to make our flag float everywhere, let us make it stand for justice wherever it floats-for justice between man and man, for justice between nation and nation, and for humanity always. And then the people of the world will learn to know and to revere that flag, because it will be their protection as well as ours. And then if any king raises his hand against our flag the oppressed people of his own land will rise up and say to him, 'Hands off. That flag stands for our rights as well as the rights of the Ameri- can people.' It is possible to make our flag represent such an ideal. We shall not fulfill our great mission, we shall not live up to our highest duty unless we present to the world the highest ideals in individual life, in domestic life, in business life, in professional life, in political life-and the highest national ideal that the world has ever known."
COMMODORE PERRY'S LANDING IN JAPAN.
Story of Commodore Perry's Landing in Japan, over half century ago, and his success in securing a treaty with that isolated country, which opened it to trade with the United States and the world. This was the beginning of
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Japan's civilization; and as her recent war with Russia, places her in the fore- most rank of civilized nations, the history leading up to the treaty, at this time will, no doubt, be interesting.
The day appointed for the reception of a reply from Yedo, (Tuesday, July 12, 1853) had now arrived. Accordingly, at about half past nine o'clock in the morning, three boats were seen to approach the steamer Susquehanna from the shores of Uraga. These were different from the usual government craft, and seemed, unlike the others, to be built after an European model; the rowers sat to their oars and moved them as our boatmen do, though somewhat awkwardly, instead of standing and sculling at the sides, in accordance with the usual Japanese practice. The construction of the boats was evidently very strong, and their models fair. Their masts, sails, and rigging were of the ordinary Japanese fashion. The crews were numerous, there being thirty in the largest boat, and thirteen in each of the others, and their swarthy frames were clothed in the usnal uniform of loose blue dresses slashed with white stripes.
The boat in advance was distinguished, in addition to the government mark of a horizontal black stripe, across her broad sail, by the black and white flag, which indicated the presenceof some officers of distinction, and such in fact were now on board of her. As she approached nearer to the ship, the governor, Kayama Yezaiman, in his rich silken robes, was recognized, seated on mats. spread in the centre of the deck of the vessel, and surrounded by his interpreters and suite.
The advance boat now came alongside, leaving the other two floating at some distance from the Susquehanna. His highness, Kayama Yezaiman, with his two interpreters, Hori Tatznoske, the principal, and Fatcisko Tokushumo, his second, were admitted at once on board, and, having been received with due formality, were ushered into the presence of Captains Buchanan and Adams, who were pre- pared to communicate with them.
The Commodore had, previously to the arrival of the governor, written the following letter to the Emperor :-
United States Steam Frigate Susquehanna, Uraga, July 12, 1853.
The Commander-in-chief of the United States naval forces in these seas, being invested with full powers to negotiate treaties, is desirous of conferring with one of the highest officers of the Empire of Japan, in view of making. arrangements for the presentation of the original of his letter of credence, as also the original of a letter with which he is charged, addressed to his Imperial Majesty by the President of the United States.
It is hoped that an early day will be appointed for the proposed interview. To his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
The governor's first statement was to the effect that there had been a misap- prehension as to the delivery of the translations of the papers before the originals had been received. Although the Commodore was certain that there had been no such misunderstanding, nevertheless he, on the second interview in the course of the afternoon, consented, after much discussion, to deliver the translations and originals, as also a letter from himself to the Emperor, at the same time, provided the letter should appoint a suitable officer to receive them directly from the hands of the Commodore, who repeated that he would consent to present them to no other than a Japanese dignitary of the highest rank. The governor then said that a building would be erected on shore for the reception
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of the Commodore and his suite, and that a high official personage, specially appointed by the Emperor, would be in attendance to receive the letters. He, however, added that no answer would be given in the bay of Yedo, but that it would be transmitted to Nagasaki, through the Dutch or Chinese superinten- dents. This being reported to the Commodore, he wrote the following memoran- dum and directed it to be translated into Dutch, and fully explained to the governor :-
"The Commander-in-chief will not go to Nagasaki, and will receive no communication through the Dutch or Chinese.
"He has a letter from the President of the United States to deliver to the Emperor of Japan, or to his secretary of foreign affairs, and he will deliver the original to none other; if this friendly letter of the President to the Emperor is not received and duly replied to, he will consider his country insulted, and will not hold himself accountable for the consequences.
"He expects a reply of some sort in a few days, and he will receive such reply nowhere but in this neighborhood." (Bay of Uraga.)
"When this was communicated to the governor, he took his departure, probably to consult some higher authority, as doubtless there was more than one high officer of the court at Uraga, secretly directing the negotiations. The interview had lasted three hours, and it was fully one o'clock before the governor left the ship. All passed in the most quiet way without interruption to the usual courtesies of friendly negotiation. The shore showed every indication of tranpuillity, and no movement was observed on the part of the fortresses or the many government boats along the shore.
The governor, in accordance with his promise on leaving in the morning, returned in the afternoon, accompanied, as usual, by his interpreters and suite. He came off, however, in one of the ordinary Japanese boats, and not, as earlier in the day, in the vessel built after the European model. Captains Buchanan and Adamıs were in readiness to receive the party, and resumed the renewed conference with the same form and ceremony as before; the Commodore still preserving his seclusion and communicating with the Japanese only through others. The conversation is here given as reported.
CONVERSATION.
Present Captains Buchanan and Adams, Lieutenant Contee, Flag Lieutenant, and Yezaiman, governor of-Uraga, and interpreters.
Yezaiman. As it will take a great deal of time to send up the copies of the letters first, and the originals afterwards, I promise that the originals and the copies be delivered together, when the high officer comes. The governor and the high officer will do their best to entertain the Admiral and give him a suitable reception.
Capt. Buchanan. This is not the object of the Commodore: he wishes these communications to go because there is among them a letter to the Emperor from himself, which he desires to send to Yedo with the copies. The reply to the President's letter is not ot so much consequence just now. We want a reply to the Commodore's letter which is in the package.
Yesaiman. If you send the original letter, we will reply to it as soon as possible. We are here for the purpose of receiving the letter from the President to the Emperor, but now you speak of a letter from the Admiral to the Emperor.
Capt. B. The letter from the Admiral is in the package containing the copies of the President's letter. It states he has in his possession the original
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letter of the President, and is empowered by the President to deliver it in person to the Emperor, or to a high officer of equal rank with himself, appointed by the Emperor.
Yezaiman. We are very sorry that you separate the two; it would be better to send the originals at once with the copies.
Capt. B. That is impossible. The letter of the Admiral states that he has the original letter of the President, and is empowered to deliver it, either in person or to an officer of his own rank; when the emporer is aware of the fact that the Admiral has the letter, then he will appoint an officer of the same rank to receive the original, and the Admiral will return at some future day to receive the answer.
Yezaiman. Can you not contrive to manage it in such a way that the original letter may be sent with the copies?
Capt. B. It cannot be done.
Yezaiman. When the ships first came, it was not mentioned that the copies must be sent first, and not the original letters; and now you mention it.
Capt. B. During the first visit you made here, you were shown the original letters, and also the copies, and the same statement was then made by us as now .- (After a pause Captain B. resumed.)-Will the high officer who will come here be accredited by the Emperor to receive the letters from the Admiral?
Yezaiman. He has the authorization of the Emperor.
Capt. B. Will he have any proof to show that he is thus authorized?
Yezaiman. Yes, he can prove it.
Capt. B. One of the letters of the President, informing the Emperor of Japan that Commodore Perry is sent as a high officer appointed by himself and Commodore Perry will expect similar credentials on the part of the officer to speak with him.
Yezaiman. He will receive the letter, but cannot enter into any negotia- tions,
Capt. B. What is the rank and official title of the officer who is appointed? -(While the interpreter is writing the title of the officer in question, in Chinese characters, Captains Buchanan and Adams retire to consult with the Commo dore. )
Lieutenant Contee. When will the high officers be ready to receive the letter?
Interpreter. To-morrow or the day after.
Lieut. C. Where is the house?
Interpreter. On the shore.
Lieut. C. Can you point it out from here?
Interpreter. It cannot be seen.
Lieut. C. (repeating his last question. ) Can yon point it out fromhere? Interpreter. It is on the other side of the hills; yon can see it from another position.
Lieut. C. What was the name of the officer who came on board on the day of our arrival?
Interpreter. Nagazhima Saberoske.
Captain Buchanan. Captain Adams and I have just had a conversation with Admiral .* He says that, since you appear to have wholly misunderstood the matter about the letter, if you can show proof that an officer of the proper rank is appointed to receive them, he will waive the matter in dispute, and deliver
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the originals at the same time with the copies. But he requires strict evidence that the officer who shall meet him shall be of the necessary rank, and that he has been specially appointed for the purpose by the Emperor.
Yezaiman. Nagasaki is the proper place to receive letters from foreign nations, and because Uraga is not an appropriate place, the officer will not be allowed to converse, but only to receive the letters.
Capt. B. He is only desired to receive the letters. Will he come on board, or will the letters be delivered on shore?
Yezaiman. He will come on board, but will receive them on shore.
Capt. B. Before the letters are delivered, the credentials of the officer must be translated into Dutch, signed with the proper signatures, and sent on board to the Admiral.
Yezaiman. He will be credited to receive the letter, but cannot speak.
Yezaiman. He will have a document, properly signed.
(Captain Buchanan now directed Mr. Portman to write in Dutch the declara- tion he had made, and to give it to the interpreter. The following is in the English version: "There has been a great deal of misunderstanding about re- ceiving the original letter and the translated copies, whether to be received together or separately. The Admiral now is willing to meet a high officer of Yedo, holding rank in Japan corresponding to the rank of Admiral in the United States, This officer shall be accredited, namely, posses a writing properly signed by the Emperor. authorizing him to receive the said letters. Of this writing or letter of credence shall be made a copy, translated into Dutch, and the same copy be translated to the Admiral before the interview takes place.
"At this interview there shall be no discussion whatever; no more than an exchange of civilities and compliments.
"The Admiral does not insist upon receiving an answer to the original letter of the President immediately, but will come back for that purpose after some months."
Yesaiman. The high officer will not be allowed to speak on the matter; only to make and return compliments.
Capt. B. That is all that is necessary.
Yesaiman. The high officer will be here the day after to-morrow, to receive the letter on shore.
Capt. B. At what hour?
Yezaiman. At eight o'clock in the morning. As soon as we see the flag hoisted, we will come on board the ship.
Capt. B. Will the high officer bring the copy of the letter empowering him to act, properly certified.
Yezaiman. He will bring it.
Interpreter. The governor is very grateful for his kind reception on board. Capt. B. We are very glad to see him. Where is the place of reception?
Interpreter. I can point out the place, but the house cannot be seen.
Yezaiman. Will the Admiral await the Emperor's answer to the President's letter?
Capt. B. No: the Admiral will not wait for it.
Yezaiman. When will he come for a reply?
Capt. B. He will return in a few months to receive the Emperor's reply. Yezaiman. I would desire a statement in writing to that effect. (There being no satisfactory answer to this, Yezaiman continued.) The high officer
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who receives the letter of the President will give a receipt for it, as an assurance that it has been received.
Capt. B. Can you not appoint a place nearer the ship? The distance is very for the men to pull in a boat. The Admiral will be satisfied to meet the high officer in a tent, or in one of the forts nearer the ships. The interview will not be long.
Interpreter. The house is not far off; it is less than a Japanese mile.
Capt. B. Can you not arrange to have it nearer the ships?
Interpreter. The governor says he will endeavor to arrange it.
Capt.B. Can you let us know to-morrow morning?
Interpreter. Yes.
The conference here ended.
Kayama Yezaiman and his companion seemed to be in the highest good humor, and readily availed themselves of the proffered courtesies of the officers of the Susquehanna, which were accepted and responded to in a manner indi- cating the most polished good breeding. In receiving the hospitalities of their hosts, it may be remarked that they partook freely, and seemed to relish parti- cularly the whisky and brandy which formed part of the entertainment. The governor especially appeared to appreciate the foreign liquors, particularly when mixed with sugar, and smacked his lips with great gusto, as he drained his glass to its last sweetened dregs. His interpreters, in the growing freedom of convival enjoyment, made merry over his highness' bacchanalian proclivity, and, laughingly expressing their alarm lest Yezaiman should take a drop too much remarked, "His face is already growing red."
Though always perserving a certain gentlemanly aplomp and that self- cultivated manner which bespeaks high breeding, these Japanese dignitaries were disposed to be quite social, and shared freely and gayly in conversation. Nor did their knowledge and general information fall short of their elegance of manners and amiability of disposition. They were not only well-bred, but not ill-educated, as they were proficent in Dutch, Chinese, and Japanese langua- ges, and not unacquainted with the general principles of science and of the facts of the geography of the world. When a terrestial globe was placed before them, and their attention was called to the delineation on it of the United States, they immediately placed their fingers on Washington and New York, as if perfectly familiar with the fact that one was the capital, and the other the commercial metropolis of our country. They also, with equal promptitude, pointed out England, France, Denmark, and other kingdoms of Europe. Their inquiries in reference to the United States showed them to be entirely ignorant of the facts connected with the material progress of our country; thus, when they asked if roads were not cut through mountains, they referring (as was supposed ) to tunnels on our railroads. And this supposition was confirmed on the interpreter's asking, as they examined the ship's engine, whether it was not a similar machine, although smaller, which was used for traveling on the American roads. They also inquired whether the canal across the isthmus was yet finished, alluding to the Panama railroad which was then in process of construction. They knew, at any rate, that labor was being performed to connect the two oceans, and called it by the name something they had seen, a canal.
After refreshments and conversation in the cabin, Yesaiman and his inter- preters were invited to inspect the ship, an offer which they accepted with
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great politeness, and as they came upon deck, notwithstanding there were crowds of cificers and men around who could scarce repress the manifestation of theircuriosity, the Japanese never for a moment lost their self-possession, but showed the utmost composure and quiet dignity of manner. They evinced an intelligent interest in all the various arrangements of the vessel, observed the big gun and rightly styled it a "Paixhan," exhibited none of that surprise which would naturally be expected from those who were beholding for the first time the wonderful art and mechanism of a perfect steamship. The engine evidently was an object of great interest to them, but the interest showed that they were not entirely unacquainted with its principles. Much of this cool but not unobservant composure may have been affected, in accor- . dance with a studied policy, but yet there can be no doubt that, however backward the Japanese themselves may be in practical science, the best educated among them are tolerably well informed of its progress among more civilized or rather cultivated nations.
On leaving the cabin, the Japanese dignitaries had left their swords behind, two of which are always worn by those of certain rank in the empire. This gave an opportunity for inspection, on the part of the curious, of these badges of authority, which seemed to be, in accordance with their purpose, more suited for show than service. The blades, however, were apparently of good steel and temper, and highly polished, although their shape as well as that of their hilts, without a guard, was awkwardly constructed for use. The mountings were of pure gold, and the scabbards of shark's skin, remarkably well manu- factured. The visit of the governor was prolonged into the evening, and it was seven o'clock before he took his departure, when he and his interpreters lett the ship with their usual courtesies, bowing at every step, and smiling in an amiable yet dignified manner. They were evidently favorably impressed with their reception and all they had seen. The studied politeness which marked their intercourse with out officers was evidently not assumed for the occasion, for it is so habitual with them that in their ordinary relations with each other they preserve the same stately courtesy; and it was observed that no sooner had Yesaiman and his interpreters entered their boat alongside the Susquehanna than they commenced saluting each other as formally as if they had met for the first time and were passing through ceremonials of a personal introdustion. While these scenes were in transaction on board, the boats of the squadron sent out by Commodore were kept busy all day sounding and observing, as on previous occasions.
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