The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-07-29
THE CHINESE QUESTION,

4HE CHINESE QUESTION.
Among the many articles we have reae
on Asiatic immigration, we find the fol
lowing written by Rev. A. Williams O
California the most truthful and satifac
tory, and present it to our readers withou
further note or comment:
''On the Atlantic as well as the Pacific
side Of the continent, see the subject o,
Chinese immigration is exciting an un
usual interest. This subject seems to be
fast assuming the character and form ot
a national question. 1t is not, indeed
new. but it is just now taking up new
and increased proportions. Like all othe:
subjects of public and general nature,
this question calls forth differing views
and conclusions. A lack of information,
or of reflection, or perchance a positive
strong prejudice arising oct of some sell
fish consideration, may account for much
of the present confusion on the subject.
Since the question. as fact and provi-
dental problem. is upon US, it becomes
us to consider and treat it according to its
real character and importance.
The ''Chinese question what is it?
Chiefly, as looking to probable large in
crease of Chinese immigration, it con-
| Germs the matter of labor, of competing
abor, also the incidental matters Of citi-
zenship and suffrage, and the additional
complication Of a mixing of races A few
simple statements of facts will throw lig ght
upon this whole question and its solution.
| First, the Chinese as q whole, in COM
ing over to this country, have no inten.
| ton OF becoming permanent residents.
At most, their purpose and habit is to
remain from three to FIVE years, to fulfill
their contract or satisfy their desire of
| gold, and then return to their own coun-
try. While their aggregate number is
kept good or increasing. there is con-
stant change Of coming and going.
Dead or alive" according to the com-
mon phrase, ''the Chinaman must 90
back to his native land" This is in ac-
cordance with their family traditions,
which are strong as the iron bonds Of
Braminical caste. In the transportation
Of the confined remains of deceased Chi.
namen from the Pacific coast to China,
there is no inconsiderable employment
furnished to commerce. Only the male
population, also, except in very few in
stances, and these confined chiefly to the
mercantile class, emigrate; while their
families, left behind, make a reason for
their temporary stay among US.
Again, the Chinese generally evincc nc
wish or disposition to become citizens Of
the country. They are content to come
to our open fields of enterprise stimula.
ted with the opportunity or rewards ia,
greater than those Of their own land to
our mines, our agricultural manufactures
TO all our multiplied business avocations
and they remain longer or shorter time
fulfilling their own plans, and all without
forming any permanent attachments tt
the institutions of the country. A few
in the prosecution of trade or other es
tahGsiied business, may protract their so
journ beyond their usual period, but only
with common general result. They ar,
among us, but not Of US. They are among
us as laborers, producers, and consumer;
as well-aborers charactcristically, chiefly
That is ALL
And, in this relation of labor, lies tn,
fact not only, but also the justlfyins
reason, of Chinese immigration. An In
portant principle is involved in the com
| ing of these Rumbers of active, industri
Gus and patient operatives. The scienc'
of political economy teaches US that lit
Is the ,oealtk ej a mutton. The head. th
hand of hu,nan activity, is essential t
development. Man is the actor in tn
worlds progress. All natural advantage
and aptitudcs are passive, inefficient
fruitless, in answering the demands of in
| dividual and social life Mans want
can be supplied only by mans efforts. 1
larger domain, with abundant resource
and higher civilization, enlarge tn
scale of social requirements. The agency
therefore, which meets this demand mus
be looked urcn as commanding benefit
The cause, whatever it may be, whic
. stimulates and assists the needed supply
stands in the place of great bcnefacto'
Now, in the view of this general que.
tion, it seems to me there can be only on
conclusion reached, and that is, that tn
increasing tide of Immigration from Oh
3 na and japan is, on the whole, gyes
national benefit. This gain Of labofel
aud labor has come to us naturally aud
the manifest ful6lment of the law OF de
mand. So true is this statement. that oil
; Ca!iiornians well remember With what il
terest the earliest arrivalo of any of thes
, people was greeted and welcomed. Spe
cial effosts we're made to assure thos