Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-02
The Chinese in California.

The California papers hnd III hard 10 ngnt
against destiny. They cannot stem the new
tide of excitement, and they have changed
their. tone in regard to the exclusion of
Chinese emigrants, as the following paragra-
ph goes to show:
.'The Chinese are buying up abandoned
claims in California; and it is surprising to
note in places where, few moathS ago.
white men were working to see Celeetials
busily employed. The discovery of gold on
Frazer river will have the effect of changing
our policy towards the Chinese. Inst cad of
preventing their immigration here we will
have to encourage it. The Legi laturc, at its
next session. will repeal the act preventing
their entrance here; and it is not at all impos-
sible '.coolie" bill will pass. We cannot
do without labor. What has left must be
supplied"
The Legislature of California will do very
foolish thing if it repeats the law against
Chinese emigration, without passing some
statute preventing the Celestials from having
anything to do with the municipal or State
governments. The Chinese, to all intents
and purposes, belong to an inferior race, and
must be treated as an inferior race, if the
Californians would avoid much and danger
GUS trouble in the future. They are no more
fitted to understands. appreciate, or take n part
in our government, than are the subject, of
the King of Dahomey. Notwithstanding the
Chnaman possesses many useful qualities in
which the African is wofully deficient. Al
though the Celestial is ind IstriOus pains
taking and sometimes ingenious. while the
negro is lazy, thriftless, and has no turn for
anything requiring mental activity, neither
comprehend the first principle of self-govern-
ment. and both are alike untitled to enjoy the
prerogatiVes granted every citizen 10y our re-
publican Institutions To bestow the right
of suffrage and the privilege of holding Office
upon them, would be like casting pearls
before swine" or placing diamond circlet
around the neck of a balloon.
If California needs more labor, of which
there is no doubt-for all the new and most
of the old States require additional industrial
force-let her Legislature pass Chinese bill.
something like the free black code of LouiS-
ana, and the object in view will be accom-
plished safely; and no matter how great the
influx of Cinnamon no danger need be appre-
hended. Being amply protected in person
and property, as our free negroes are here,
and enjoying all the privileges TO which an
inferior race is equitably entitled their labor
may do much in opening up and developing the
boundl, SIS resources of the golden State, until
she becomes an empire within herself, rurpass-
ed by none in the essentials of population,
wealth and strength. But the proposition
should be confined within the limits above ia
dictated. The protection afforded should not
extend an inch further, and the Cinnamon
should not be allowed the rcmotcst participa-
ton in the affairs of government. either di-
rectly or Indirectly. Allow them TO pass that
bound, and as soon as their numbers become
sufficiently great, the nuisance would swell to
intolerable and dangerous proportions.-N
q. Crescent.