We come to the Japanese as an illustration of unification of the races,
because they have put themselves before the world as entitled to
consideration as much as any other race. Inasmuch as they are rapidly
becoming a world power, and have the warships and guns to back up their
pretensions, the nations of the earth feel justified in considering
their claims.
Whence they come nobody knows, not even their own learned men. They
originated somewhere in the past, but not ancient past, or they would
have been heard of, but may be a cross among the Turanian tribes. They
are small men and dark, which lends truth to this theory.
With their origin we have nothing to do, because their rise and progress
is something men now living have witnessed and stand amazed at its
suddenness and at the height to which these small men have attained.
They are a brilliant example of what education and civilization backed
by intense persistence and energy will accomplish in taking advantage of
opportunity.
They were given an opportunity to enter the ranks of civilization, but
they refused the offer. Then, trade and commerce urged and then forced
it upon them, and seeing that they had to progress, they took hold of
opportunities, and now, never let the smallest opportunity pass by them.
When an opportunity does not present itself they go to meet it or make
one to suit themselves. They are giving the world a bad scare by their
persistence and clamors for equality with every other nation and
peoples, due, perhaps, to their newness as a nation and the probability
that they may relapse into barbarism should they get the upperhand with
restraint removed.