Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-07-29

labor. They have proved their use
fulneSs. They are industrious, pa
tent, ingenious, and possess a eapac-
ity for learning all mechanic arts
unsurpassed by any other people.
They are willing to perform any kind
Of labor at rates of wages which viii
insure the development ofthe mighty
resources of the Pacific. They can
mine, they can manufacture, they
can farm, they can build, they can
construct railroads, or do any other
thing to develop a country and pro-
duce wealth. There is no question
about their right to be here. There IL
nothing in form of government
which prohibits any foreigner from
coming; on the eontrary, we are bound
by the most solemn treaty stipula-
tons to permit them to come, and to
give them the protection Of Our laws
while here.
Notwithstanding heiradmitted use
fitness and their acknowledged rights,
we find a class of men, some of whom
fed from oppression themselves, mall
treating and outraging these people
with all manner of cruelty, and even
by mob violence; denying them the
right to labor or to live. This must
be stopped. l am not opposed to the
association OF laborers or trades
unions for any lawful purpose, but
when violence is used either against
the Chinese or American boys who
desire to learn trades, to prevent
either from earning an honest living,
then the law must be enforced. In
1866 the Civil Rights bill was en-
acted by Congress, giving the
United States. Courts Jurisdiction, with
power to protect all persons born in
the United States in their civil rights.
That law must be extended by Con-
gress to all persons residing in the
United States. The power Of the Gov
eminent for the protection of the Chi
nese, and all others, must be invoked.
Let no one imagine that the people of
the United States, after having made
treaties guaranteeing rights to the
Chinese, after having constructed the
Pacific Railroad, and subsidized a line
of steamers to China for the purpose
OF cultivating friendly relations with
that ancient civilization, will allow a
few evil-disposed persons to break the
laws and trample upon the rights of
these people. All the Chinese ask is
the right to labor and to live. What
do the enemies of the development of
the Pacific propose to do with these
people? They cannot drive them from
the cOuntry-the United States will
never permitit. They cannot deprive
them Of labor by viOlence-the
honor of the nation cannot tolerate
such brutality. They must labor,
steal or starve. The first is lawful and
useful; the second is criminal and de
structive; the last is cruel and barbar-
Gus. | am in favor of saving that
people from either crime or starva-
ton. Their request must granted.
They must be allowed to labor and
live. The agitation Of the Chinese
question by violence has already dis
graeed the Pacific, and aroused the
Indignation of all right thinking men.
Every act of cruelty is an appeal to
humanity in behalf to the oppressed.
The American people have proved
that they are not deaf to such appeals.
l am not here to threaten, but to adj
wise the people of this coast to con-
slider the consequences of injustice and
outrage toward the Chinese. 1t is
better to do right voluntarily than TO
be forced to obey The laws and
respect the rights of others.
The argument that they supplant
white labor is not good. The
more labor we have, the more we will
want. If our mines could be worked
twenty-five per cent. cheaper, three
times as many mines would be
worked, and three times as much
labor required; if our land could be
cultivated cheaper, food would be
cheaper, clothing would be cheaper,
and the. same would be true in
every branch of industry, and the
poor would be benefited as much as
the rich. The argument that the poor
are to be deprived of labor has been
urged against every improvement in
machinery; against the steam engine,
the railroad, the steam paddy, and
every other invention; but in each
case, instead of d~epriving the labor
ing man of employment, the new
machinery has created new resources,
new wants, and increased the demand
for labor. The same argument was
used by the American against Europe
an emigration; il was said that the
cheap labor of Europe would deprive
the native American of employment.
Experience has proved the reverse to
be the case. Cheap labor developed
new fields of enterprise, and the
wages Of labor did not decrease.
Americans found plenty of employ
ment in experimenting and directing
works, and there was an increased
compensation. So will it be here. Our
skilled miners who now use che pick
win have charge of opening new
mines. Our farmers who now follow
the pillow, will be called to direct the
blowing, and this will be the case in
all branches of industry. Cheap Ia
Dor from China must have the same
effect upon the population of the
Pacific coast that cheap labor from
Europe had upon the people of the
Eastern States. 1t made them rich;
it did not drive them out of employ
ment. If the present generation
to realize something of the
great future of this favored land, they
must invite honest labor, no matter
whence it comes. The Pacific as well
as the Atlantic must be the asylum
for the oppressed of all lands. In
and selfish prejudice never
made a country great,