The Placer herald., 1858-01-30
Driving Chinese from the Mines.

of California to drive the Chinese from the
mines by popular violence, is an exhibition
ola spirit of intolerance that should be frown.
ed down by public opinion and checked by
the strong arm of the law. So far has the
determination been evinced to expel these
people without regard to any legal right
they may possess to work the mines, or nat
ural right to protection in person and prop
erty, little coteres Of men in different mining
districts, have not only gone so far as to say
they shall not work the mines but that white
men, American citizens shall not employ
them for that purpose. Already has this
proscriptive spirit led to bloody and fatal
consequences, as seen in the recontre in a
southern mining county few days since, be-
tween party of miners employing Chinese
and those debating rules in opposition to
such labor, that resulted in the death and
wcunling of three or four persons. That
this is but the prelude to acts disastrous and
fatal in their results, should the same system
coercion be attempted to be carried out in
full, precedent too abundanty testiiies
1t should be borne in mind by those who
arrogate to themselves the right to dictate
who shall work in the mineral deposits of
California, that Chinese, and all others who
are not citizens, have a right to engage in
such labor under the sanction and authority
Of law. They pay for the privilege of so CO.
ing, and as long as the General Government
and the Government of California admit
them to This privilege, their rights are as sa-
cred and entitled to as full measure of pro-
lection as that Of any American citizen.
Miners are empowered under our laws to
make such rules and regulations Of the mines
as may seem to them best adapted for the
working and developing of their resources
they may fix the boundaries of a district,
designate the size of claim, or say how
many days work in week, month, or year
shall be necessary to hold it; but to prevent
any persons from working who comply with
the rules of the district and the laws of the
State, is beyond their authority 1t is well
that these facts should be generally known,
when 50 much real or wilful ignorance pre-
walls in regard to the personal rights Of min
ers.
Chinese may be Objectionable as miners
they may be Objectionable as residents of the
State, in whatever occupation engaged; but
their summary ejectment, without official au'
thority, would be an invasion of rights they
are entitled to under our laws, and disgrace
to the American name.
The Supreme Court of California has dec-
ded that, the precious metals in our soil be-
long to theState of virtue of her sovereignty.
If this be true, then it is within the power
of the Legislature to esignate who shall
work the mines; and if Chinese as miners
are odious to our own citizens, let them send
up petitions in such numbers and with such
a statement of facts as will convince the
Legislature that they should be prohibited
from the further working. Petitions when
supported by strong public sentiment, are
potent in their agency to effect legislation.
This course could be pursued without vio-
ence, or boodshed; and would be more &C
ceptabe to the mass of our citizens, and just
to the Chinese themselves
The Chinese in California are numerous,
and the revenue derived from them goes far
toward the support of the State Government
and those Of mining counties; but we have
no hesitancy in declaring that as popua-
ton for the permanent good of the State
they will be of little value. Their disqual-
fication for citizenship, their language, Gus
TOMS religions cannishness, and indaptation
to American institutions, renders them far
from desirable as residents or sojourncrs.
We believe, that any further encourage
ment to these people to immgrate to the
State, would by a pal pable wrong to society
hcre-pregnant with much evil and little
good. They can never rise here politically
or socially, to the condition of American
citizens; consequently they will have no pride
or interest in the growth or future prosperity
of the State. Aliens they must remain as
citizens, and to the interest of the general
welfare. Therefore, we would not invite this
class of immigration, but on the contrary
would use all lawful means to check it. And
in the event that the citizens Of the mining
counties should prevail upon the Legislature
to prohibit these people working our mines,
those here would diminish greatly in num-
Der, in few years, by return to their ma
tive shores.
The policy Of our State should be shaped
to acquire population that are or could be-
come citZens-men who wOnll settle and
assist in building up great commonwealth
i'm developing the riches of the mines til.
ling the soil, constructing public improve
ments, and rearing institutions of learning.
Such as these we want, but not the Asiatic,