The Placer herald., 1867-03-09
Meeting Of the 1insr's Prstsction League
at Forest Hill.

The President having called the meeting tt
order, tho Secretary read the following report:
FOREST HILL, March I'd, 1867.
To the Officers and Members Of the Miners Pro
tective League Gentlemen: Your DiectorJ
have the honor 10 report that since the meeting
of the League. held on the Sd of February last
they have been engaged in carrying out YOU
wishes rs laid down in the Constitution, and II
accordance Herewith, now present their monthly
report.
Your Directory have not been able satisfacto
rily to determine The amount Of Chinese labor al
present employed in the State Of California
From information obtained, they believe there
are not less than G5. 900 Chinamen in this State
that the Central Pacific Railroad, during the past
season, employed no fewer than 10000 and thai
they propose during the present year to employ
TO- COO MORE 1t is estimated that Is 600 will be
introduced into California by the direct influence
OF capital and where such an agency is at work.
to obtain emigration from q country so densely
populated as China, it is reasonable to suppose
that at least one-half as many more will follow
of their own accord, more especially under the
increased facilities of steam communication, be.
tween San Francisco and China, making the total
number of Chinese to arrive here in 1867, 22,5O0,
which added to the present Chinese population oil
this State. would make total Of 81 S7,500-approxi'
mating one-fourth of the entire population OF
California. BY your next meeting your Direc'
tory will be able 10 furnish more reliable statis-
|
| present figures
1taffords your Directory much pleasure to state,
that during the month of February, this question
has excited public attention throughout the
| State. A riotous conflict between white laborers
and Chinese in San Francisco, "a step which your
Directory sincerely regret, and feel bound to en-
| ter solemn protest aganst.) probably partcip2-
ted this agitation; but, however that may be, GER
tain portions Of the press heretofore, specially re-
ticent on matters Celestial, took occasion while
denouncing the riotous proceedings of the white
laborcrs in San Francisco, to clearly define their
| position, as in favor of the present system OF
Chinese peonage, and eventually filing all the
ulachines) and as in the case OF the "Sacrmento
Union," boldly recommending the removal
of all white labor from the large cities, to the in
terror, under the specious pretex Of settling them
on the unoccupied lands of the State, and thus
making them employers OF Chinese labor, instead
of the employed. Public timent is now thor
ou9hly aroused on this question, and kindred as.
sociations with our own, are being formed in va
rious localities. The white laboring classes have
raised the question; by firmly standing together,
| and quietly, peacefully, but earnestly guarding
aud maintaining their rights-they are bound to
obtain the support and assistance of all that nu-
| uierous class Of trades, whose business depends
on the white orkingmen of California; and the
great public tribunal-the boast Of American In-
stitutions must eventually triumph over the in
famous attempt of capital, to destroy the present
| prosperity OF the free white working men of this
State. to destroy the dignity OF labor to deny it
| any right, to reduce the poor white man to the
level of Chinaman or digger Indian, and to
overrnn California and The great Western States
of the Union with heathen and scmi.barbarous
nation, who can never assmilate the white man,
in language customs or religion Your Directory
would respectfully recommend that the League
should steadily persevere in its course, carefully
avoiding al! contact with politicians, and political
issues as this is question for every citizen ire.
spectve Of party or sect, to look into clearly and
judge for himself, remembering that he who
would destroy the future Of this country for the
sake Of present personal aggrandizement, is un-
worthy the name of q citizen.
At your last meeting it was determined, that
none but members Of the League should be admit
ted to its future meetings; your Directory would
suggest a reconsideration of this motion, bcliev-
ing that the acts Of this League should be pub
lie as possible; and that every one, whatever his
opinion, should be induced to attend all the meet
ings; and that while the regular monthly meeting
is held, in accordance with the Constitution,
the League should meet each alternate Saturday,
both for the purpose Of increasing the attention
of the mcmbtrs, and adding to their numbers.
Reports from the Treasurer, Finance Commit
tee. and Delegate appointed to visit other places
will be submitted lor your approval, etc, otc''
Your Directory cannot ignore the fact that q
large numbor OF citizens are disposed 10 give q
tacit acqucscencc to the increased immigration of
Chinese, under the impression that it is m evil
that cannot be easily ayered that certain present
| advantages accrue to the State thcreirom, and
that it emanates from the most pow eriul and
wcalhrepresenting class in California, who
! would dcnounce agitation on the subject as pollt-
ical, an attempt OF section 10 dictate to those in
| power, and an interference with the prosecution
of arts, manufactures, public works, and improve
ments, all which conclusions are based upon pre-.
misses, and indicate powerful movement on the
part Of capitalists against the rights Of the
masses, and subversve Of the fundamental princi-
pies Of American Government, in view of which
| your Directory recommend increased perseverance
on the part of all the members of this League
and all others whose pursuits and interests are
dependent on the prosperity OF the Nations
strength and pride, the free white laboring cas
ses. We therefore urge upon you to be true &c
yourselves and to one another, and to bear in
mind that "eterpal vigilance is the price of lib
erty."
!, In conclusiou your Committee would recon-
mend that every available means be taken te
give publicity through the press to the views and
action Of this League; and in view Of the capital
lists having secured the services and support o
the most powerful and wealthy portions of tht
press, the wolkngmcn shall withdraw their pat
age from all such, and aid in strengthening ant
|
as are faithful to the people and fearless TO poin
out the designs Of capital against free white labor
and the spccious statements of those who woul'
, undermine and destroy the entire future Of :
; groat Nation, for their own selfish interests il
| the present, and whose acts are as decidedly in
mical to our Republican Institutions, as the act
of those who, sword in hand would have des
tvoyed the Union.
. We have the honor, etc., etc., OH behalf Of III
Directory, ]. T. Humphreys, President.
+. r. J. Dixon, Secretary
The report was received with acclamatior
The financial reports were read and approved
e with an assessment of rs cents each per mont
on the members were levied The following mt
tions were then adopted:
BY Mr.. Dixon:
/, That the motion carried at our last meetin
= precluding any save members of the Leagu
from attending its meetings, be reconsidered.
i That all are invited to attend the future NEE
ings of the League, but non.signers are requeste
to abstain from voting-or if they will pers
n in voting, division be made in the place
meeting to separate the voters from the mol
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