The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-11-19
OPPRESSION.

OPPRESSION.
A law of the Territory of Idaht
reads after this wise:
All Mongolians, whether male OF
female, and of whatever occupation
residing in the mining districts o
this territory, shall be considered
foreign miners under this act, anC
shall pay license of So for each ana
every month they reside in this ter
ritory.
This law is worthy of a Nero, and
reflects the barbarism of the darh
ages rather than the civilization Of
the 10Th century. We have reason
20 believe the government of the
Territory of Idaho is of that species
known as "a white mans govern
ment,' for we know of no other
which embraces statute SO shame
fully unfair, or so revolving to every
feeling of equity and justice as the
ore above cited. The Fifteenth
amendment will do power of good
in leveling down these monstrosities
in legislation-begotten of the most
bigcted and narrow-minded preju-
dices. For the past few years We
have been doing our utmost, by
treaty, to bring China into closer
commercial relationship with our
selves, and present indications are
that we shall ere long conclude a
treaty with that nation which will
give us immense commercial advan.
tages. We shall have gained this
by professions of the utmost friend
ship and good will for the land OF
tea, pigtails and unpronounceable
names. Under this tresty we are of
the opinion that the Celestial King
dom will be led to look after her cit
izens on the Pacific sea-coast. In
such case, the senseless prejudice of
the denizens OF Idaho will scarcely |
be allowed to stand in the way OF the
immense commercial advantages to
be derived from such treaty.
The U. S. Circuit Judge, in that
Territory, recently denounced such
legislation as '.infamous' and takes
occasion to say that it is inconsistent
with our professions of friendship
with China, as well as all our invita-
tions to foreigners to come to this
as Ga land OF justice, equal
ity and humanity. The Judge tells q
them plainly that such arbitrary and 8
unjust enactments cannot stand the q
test of time nor the march of pro- o
gresE, and his prediction, the fulfill a
nent of which is as certain as that W
he sun rises upon the Territory of b
IDAHO, will be hailed with delight oy fe
Ill who love liberty and hate tyranny y y
by all who revere justice and de- n
pise oppression. ce
1t is a most mysterious problem
Ehy men will allow their prejudices fo
O make such stupid asses of them. =,
Iere we have men of the Caucasian -,
ace-men Boosting superior man. 6,
ood-legislating against the labor h,
f the country; stabbiDg their most nc
ital interest-the labor of their q,
'erritory-to crafty a prejudice di
7hich Malay chief, issuing his m
diets to his naked, painted followers, fr
llcht blush to own or initiate - or
-eriiy, the theory of American indie A,
endence, that s'sll men we're created .r
zee and equal" &C., was centuries m,
/ advance of its practical applica- in,
On, if some of the laws which dis =.
race our statute book, may be cited ati
, specimen. The time will come CO
hen these base enactments will be WI
Fept away, aud the great truth pro- 20 20
aimed in our declaration, become ry
e central idea in mans dealings Pr
ith nan. But before that blest con sui
how many of Goods
,orn will be led to exclaim ''How
ng, ON Lord, how long ?''