The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-09-11
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
The Chinese Problem.

10 solve certain questions OF political science in
the school Of bitter experience. The Pilgrim
Fathers entered this school, and finally graduated
a with distinguished honors. The signess OF the
< Declaration of Independence and their co-patriots
entered the same school, and with equal honor
terminated their course Of study. Thoee ming
linz. in the Of the late civil war have been
urged forward by terrible necessity and COM
PEELED % grappe with questions In the science Of
civil government which have been settled in a
manner calling forth the adIniraton Of the civil
ized world. The conflict has been irrepressible !;
but most honorable to the friends OF political and
civil liberty.
Scarcely have the American people satisfactorily
disposed Of the negro question and settled the
principle OF universal suffrage, ere a new ques-
ton OF equally vast moment has been forced upon
their attention I refer to the Chinese question.
Its discussion has already commenced. Il is
clearly manifest that there will be Disagreement
among statesmen editors, divines, and the people,
respecting the proper manner Of adjusting the
perrIexiug points ut issue These various par
ties are not to be allowed much time before party
lines must be drawn and the question definitely
put before the American people. No one can
overestimate the importance OF this subject when
he reflects that nearly 1O0, 900 Of this people
now upon our shores, and thousands moro on
their way. and millions only waiting for an
opportunity to leave the shores OF the Celestial
Empire and migrate to the Pacific Coast. heard
u the Rev. Mr. BlOdget, missionary OF the Ameri-
can Board in China, remark, 1t Amherst, a few
days ago, - We send forty millions, and not
feel it," Hence it will appear that, while the
African il taking his crit from the public stage,
the Oriental-the Chinaman-is making his
ds5at. lie is not parsonage that can be easily
put aside or removed Past history shows that
wherever he plants his foot and commences colo
nizng the immigration goes forward IL has
commenced upon shores when it will cease is
known only to Him who - hath made of one
blood all nations OF men, for to dwell on oil the
face Of the earth and hath determined the times
before appointed, and the bounds Of their habita-
tons that they should seek the Lord, If haply
they might feel after him and find him, though he
be not far from every one of US"
The question arises, How shall the Chinese be
viewed7 How treated? Shall they be treated as
other foreigners seeking shores or shall they
be treated ~ n class from whom shall be withheld
certain rights and privileges of American citizens?
This is the problem to be solved. This is the
question to be answered. Now appears to be the
proper time for its FULL free, and frank discussion
duty bound TO shed that light, although it be no
than that of a small taper OF a rush-light.
AlIusions to this subject are becoming more and
frequent in the secular and religious news-
4 papers, in the pulpit, and upon the platform I
present at the late commencement at Am
herst College. IL was there frequently referred
\ to by the public speakers. Senator Patterson
made n marked references to the subject in his
4 - D.. "a.
Of July 18th, thus refers to this subject in some
!, remarks upon the convention TO be held to-day !
tJGly 13th) at Memphis, Tenn. in which will be .
discussed the question Of Chinese labor. The
a .titor Of the Republican, remarks thus
The oil silveowners Of the South do not take
kindly 10 the pail sbor OF the free blacks, and they
grasp eageriy at anything which promises them re-
lsE The PRESENT convention is Toe the purpose Of
+ENninS tnfIrmItIou about the Chinese, and TO ar
Mrango foe soms eonserteI plan Of action Judging
from the susssss with which Chinese labor has been
ased on the Pssids Coast. the almond-eyed Asates
would give g1ot account oftheselveS NJ the South,
AL, II generally employed, would aid immensely TO
the prohibition Of that ses0n- Bat have the South
efnerS who feel 50 bld about negro suffrage aud all
thtt, realized how agitation would be commenced
for Chinese suffrage and civil rights. and how the
Political situation would be complicated, instead OF
sneorltedf IL not. they would 10 well 10 think VI
". They will fnl that the introduction OF Chinese
ltborers a god deal than the nearest
approach old slavery that they get, which is
about the light good many OF them seem To regard
it IN now"
Thus il will appear that this question looms up
in the Western horizon with portentous proper
tions- The Importance of this question cannot be
oycrestimatcd when We reflect upon the late ter
rible civil war, and how it naturally resulted
from Incorporating false and erroneous principle
into the Constitution Of the United States Govern
ment, which led to the enunciatiou Of the abomi-
nable doctrine that ss descendant OF an African
slave had no rights which white man was bound
to respect" If possible, n similar mistake and
error should be avoided bat there are indica-
tions in some quarters that drifting in the
same direction. Have not Cinnamon in Califor
been denied hearing in the civil courts ?
Have they not been taxed If they worked in the !
mines, when other foreigners were allowed to
work without being taxed? This hold to be /
AL wrong. The principle itself is pernicious
and, if now national legislation is based upon
the same principle, evil, and only evil, will be the
result. Hence this question has now become one
OF national importance. Its discussion cannot be
any longer evaded and il is not desirable that it
should be-
The Chinese question has many aspects. 1t
may oe viewed in its political bearings Shall
'ne oninese-bs allowed the right of suffrage? 1t
mas lis social, educational, religious, and mission
Ary aspects In order to take a correct view of
ne subject In all Its various bearings, it will be
necessary TO examine some of the simple elements
entering into this great Chinese problem The
'liowing are some of the questions upon which
discussion Of this subject will elicit remarks (l).
there ground for the opinion that the Chinese,
large numbers. will resort 10 America? (2.)
they come. how viii they be employed? (3.)
snail they be admitted to all the rights Of Ameri-
90 eitizensf (4) What is our Christian duty
g regard to then,