The Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1852-1872, 1853-03-26

The question of whether the Chinese shall be
allowed to work in the mines of this State, is
one OF serious importance, and demands of us
consideration second to none other
In discussing this question we should look to
the future interests of California as well as to the
present. And though "posterity has done MOTH
ing for u.s." we should do something for ..posteri-
ty."
1t is well known that during the continuance
of the war with Mexico the United States had in
contemplation the acquisition of the then Terri
tory of California; and that to that end large
force OF vessels of war was sent to the Pacific
coast; and that upon the arrival of those vessels
here they took formal possession of all the ports
OF Importance that California had. Ii is also
known that regiment of soldiers was sent here
shortly after; and that upon the arrival of the
same, the authority of the United States was
firmly established
1t is also known that upon the settlement of
the difficulties between the Mexican Republic
and our Government, the sum of fifteen mil
lions of dollars was paid 10 Mexico for this
country.
Now ii is proper that we should inquire why
the Government OF the United States should be
so anxious to get the Territory of California.
And TO this end we will search a little the re-
cords of history for the answer.
For three hundred years past, the several
maritime notions of Europe have each endeav-
ored to procure for themselves the monopoly of
the East India trade. The first who procured
TINS were the Portuguese. AT that time Portn-
gal was the hrst commercial power i'll Europe;
and her navigators, many of whom were era
died and nursed, as it We're, board of the
ships of the East India merchant gave to the
geographe- more new lands than any other peo-
pie. AS long rs the Portuguese held this trade
In their own hands, they kept the asceudancy
among commercial nations; but fortune who
e'er smiles III lac end on those who persevere
aad labor. took this jewel from the first holder
aud gaze it to the Dutch. And from that time
Portugal began to decline in the scale of nations
and ut this time she is not able to defend her
ports from line-oi -battle ship or frigate
Holland advanced as Portugal retrogaded, and
III a few years she became mistress of the seas.
But having engaged in war with England, and
having met with the loss of her feet the sover-
elgnty OF The ocean was transferred to the vic
tor; and from that day TO this, the cross of st.
George has been over every sea known to navi-
gators. with the transfer OF naval superiority
to England, came the commercial dominion OF
the East; and at this time the commerce with
India is among the most important that England
has,
The possession and loss, then, of the Eastern
trade 10 Portugal and Holland has been the prin-
.cipal cause of their rise and fall and to-day the
monopoly OF it Is the main stay of England's
greatness.
Then 10 the question, Why onr Government
should desire SO much the possession of this
country
2 1t was because California is the stepping stone
from Asia to the United States and because the
magnificent bays and harbors on this coast afford
safe and good resting places TO the splendid clip
pers that now plough the waters of every sea-
genius and skill of Americans during the time
their rich cargoeS are being removed, to be
borne on the railway which will ere long unite
the Pacific and Atlantic oceans 10 the great cities
OF the Atlantic coast
This was the principal reason why our Gov
eminent purchased California; and will any
man say that our position does not promise TO us
the golden prize for which nations have so long
contended? we believe that no man will say
nay.
Then if the people of California to aid our
Government i'll the carrying out of that policy
which we know she has pursued, and by which
the United States can obtain the monopoly of the
East India trade and by that become the first
commercial nation III the world, what course of
policy must we pursue towards those people by
whose industry and skill have been manutactur-
ed those commodities for which we 10 X
change our fabrics. and perhaps, in course OF
force and tyranny from this State all OF those who
have, on the faith of our actions i'll making them
believe they were welcome, and the declaration
that our land open for the oppressed OF all
nations to come among us
Would it not comport more with the policy of
our Government, and be more consistent with
the dictates of humanity, to allow them to remain
among us, those who are here now, than to ell
tail on them the suffernss that would follow
al.
shudder to behold Would it not be better to
allow them to remain and acquire for our Gov
eminent and institutions HAT respect and vene-
ration they must inibibc, that when they return
voluntarily to their homes, they may dwell with
delight Oh the liberty reli gion, and greatness OF
our people? Nothing wins the heart of man
kind like kindness; and nothing gains the re-
spect of others the practice OF justice.
Apart from the considerations above express
ed, would the Congress of the United States,
composed as 1t is of the representatives of the
great commercial States bordering on the At
lanhc, tolerate our course, if we were to expel
the Chinese from our territory, and thus destroy
what we conceive to be the principal means OF
establishing friendly intercourse with the peo-
pie OF Asia, and of course the numerous islands
III the Indian ocean? Suppose thousand or
more Japanese should ask of us permission to
visit our State and to work among us-would 1t
not be bad policy 10 refuse theml Certainly it
would. We believe that if we persist in follow
ing the course recommended by some that the
mineral lanes of California would be disposed of
by Congress, and the declaration that the
mines shall remain as free as air." would have
been wasted with the breath of those who made
ii.
Again: if we exclude Cinnamon and other
foreigners from the mines of California we lose
an important part of the source from whence we
might derive revenue. And the causes of
complaint which continually made by the
agricultural and commercial counties against the
present State Government and the mining coun-
ties, would be much increased and eventually
lead into open rebellion against the Stale author