The Sierra citizen., 1854-08-05
Chinese immigration.

Chinese immigration.
We are glad to see that this subject is
ct length being brought before the people
of California in its proper light, and hope
that everywhere it is discussed fresh i'm
petus will be given until we arrive at
some definite conclusion respecting the
ultimate determination of Californians
with regard to it. 1t is not binding
upon us to provide an asylum for the
Asiatic or any other race who can never
become part and parcel of ourselves, or
to allow such people to gather and take
away the wealth of our soil. Why then
is their migration hither encouraged?- p
They are flooding our country; and unless
immediate action is taken to check this
overwhelming tide of uncongenial scum,
q few years will bring about such lament
able state of things that the legitimate
lords of the land, native born American
citizens, will hold doubtful sovereignty
and be enabled to procure only a preca-
rious maintenance. if great proportion
do not seek another home and abandon
this (the home they risked their lives for
and purchased at an enormous cOst,) into
the possession of these ng-queued opium
eaters. Numerically their migration, even
at the present day, is almost equal to that
Of our own countrymen, and those already
here embrace nearly one-ffth of the popu-
lation of California, and are rapidly spread
ing into Oregon. This is indeed serious
matter for contemplation, and now ere it
be too late let US understand each other
discuss the subject, and in the coming
election select men thoroughly competent,
and instruct them to act for the benefit of
our country and our countrymen alone.
The Chinese race is entirely distinct
from our own, and their amalgamation
with us is quite as improbable as that of
the negro. Their manners, customs, color.
intellect, everything, is different and in
terior to Americans, and it bchooves us to
look forward and guard against the inn
pending danger. We can derive no good
from them-they are indolent, ignorant,
cowardly. filthy, immoral and improvident,
and instead of striving to emulate our vir-
tues, all our baser traits are seized upon
and added 10 their miserable category
Their knowledge Of mechanics is very an
tiquated and mediocre, and they possess
but few OF the attributes to make them
desirable associates; besides, are notorious
ly devoid of truth and honesty. What,
then, do we want with them?
1t has been urged by well-known mis-
sionary and lecturer on China and the
Chinese, that We need them for servants.
We beg to differ with that gentleman;
6rst, for the reason that there are enough
Of the poorer class of our own countrymen
whom circumstances necessitate to labor,
to perform all the more servile Offices:
and, secondly, If there are not sufficient,
the influx Of Germans, Irish and other
nations, who can eventually become citi-
zen, driven from their father-land by op-
preston and poverty, who seek our shores
to build home and provide subsistence
for themselves and families; and, thirdly,
ii these be not satisfactory and sufficient
causes to reject them, the sin of our fore
fathers. by introducing negroes in the land,
is visited upon us and has prior claim on
our generosity. We all feel the bad effect
OF their presence, and desire to rid the
land of them. Is it just-is it philan-
thropic-is it polite, to eject the black
who was born upon the soil, and is quite
as capable of filling every minor position
is as industrious, and, physically, far better
quali6ed-while we encourage new race
to occupy their places? Unquestionably
not. Then, fully convinced of the injury
to the peace and prosperity of our country
which the negro race works-an incubus
which we are unable to cast off-shall we
add another frebrand to the scorchinc
pile! Is not the one evil more than we
can contend against? For proof that it
is, witness the daily increasing riots in the
northeastern states and the exciting de-
hates in Congress -discord and threats Of
disunion-engendered and fostered, and
stirred and kept sinking, BY fanatic aboii,
tionists and exasperated slave-owners.
In every eity, and even in the little