Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1878 — JAPAN. [ARTICLE]

JAPAN.

Assassination of an Imperial Minister. Late advices from Yokohama, Japan, embrace particulars of the cruel assassination of Okubo Toshimitei, senior Imperial Councillor, and Minister of the Home Department. He was attacked by six men while riding from his residence to the palace, at 8 o’clock, a. m. His murderers selected an unfrequented part of the route, cut down the horses, killed the driver, and slaughtered their victim as he sprung from the carriage. The body was frightfully mutilated, the face and neck covered with wounds, and one hand cut off. The* assassins immediately proceeded to the palaee and gave themselves up. They proved to be fanat ical followers of the late rebel Saigo, although not from his part of the country. Two of them wrote letters aud sent them to the newspaper before setting out, declaring their reasons. They say Okubo was selfish and tyrannical, preferring despotism to liberty, overriding the law at pleasure, was arbitrary and proud, wasted public money, excluded patriots from a share in the Government, thus exciting rebellion, failed to sustain the dignity of the empire toward other nations, and, therefore, they killed him. A seventh accomplice surrendered himself the following day. It is not believed any further extension of the conspiracy exists. Okubo was the foremost member of the Cabinet for many years, and was next in rank to the two Ministers known as Dal Jin. He was the principal mover in the great reforms of modem times. His loss is severe, though fortunately not irreparable. His colleague, Okuma, Minister of Finance, is recognized as not less sagacious, energetic, and progressive. Into his hands the leadership of the Government now falls. The Emperor has invested Okubo with the posthumous title of U. Dal Jin, one of the three officers nearest the throne, and augmented his rank. The funeral took place May 17, attended by an enormous concourse, including all foreign officials. Okubo was a little over 40 years old. He was originally of moderately good birth, and distinguished himself by reformo in his native province of Satsuma. He secretly assisted the youth of that region to travel abroad and study, while yet forbidden by law and usage. Of this early party were almost all the Japanese now representing their country diplomatically at foreign capitals. After the war of the restoration lie came rapidly to the front in civil affairs, always maintaining his prominence, visited America and Europe in 187SJ* Innder Iwakura. He will be succeeded as Minister of the Home Department by Ito Hirobume, hitherto Minister of Public Works.