Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1886 — The Mikado. [ARTICLE]

The Mikado.

It is seventeen years since the real Mikado was brought into power by revolution. He was then but sixteen years of age. The empire was then a military encampment and he found a feudal system wherein 60,000 msn were maintained for war. He immediately began reforms. He made the dependent the free, and the feudal rulers the subordinates. He made men freeholders, in perpetual tenure of their lands. He insured as great protection to life and property as may be enjoyed. His code of laws he modeled after those of England and the United States, establishing a sufficient judiciary. He gathered about him broad, sound, and progressive counselors. He rules an empire already having 500 miles of railroad,

6,000 miles of telegraph wire, unsurpassed postal facilities, with a postal savings bank system worthy of imitation in this country. He has built a navy and can repair ships with the best. As great, if not greater, than what he has accomplished is w hat he has proclaimed he proposes to do, and that is, in 18.0, to convert his empire into a constitutional empire, with a Parliament exercising the delegated authority of the people. It will be seen from this that the Mikado is really a progressive ruler, and that he has no idea of allowing his country again to relapse into semi-barbarism.