The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-10
SPIRIT OF EHE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of tho Leading JOurnais
Upon Current Topics Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph
CHINESE IMMIGRATION AND The
COOLIE TRADE.

rI4 l.; ~ il, vario11s quarters of the country
that a correct statement OF the points IN
volyed will at this time be OF value to our
readers and the public. In the hrst place, IL
mist he understood that Chinese immigration
and the Coolie trade are entirely distinct in
their character conditions, and consequences.
The latter differs in no material respects from
Ibe African slave trade, and the horrors of the
middle passage have been repeated over and
over AGAIN upon the Coolie ships bound to
Cuba and Peru. Nearly all civilized nations
have denounced this trade and established
penalties against it, Its seat is Macao, port
which has been for over two hundred years
in the possession of the Portuguese, and which
at one time was highly prosperous. The oc-
cupation of Hong Kong by the English, and
the advantages of its position and harbor,
cave a deathblow to Macao, and it has degene-
rated into slave mart and depot for opium
to be smuggled into China. From this Coolie
trade large Government income is derived,
while those engaged in 1t have accumulated
fortunes. The money paid to those who are
entrapped into slavery is very frequently lost
in the Chinese gambling houses of Macao, and
these are licensed by the Government.
The coolies secured and shipped from this
rort are among the most degraded of the
Chinese population, and are mainly drawn
from the southern provinces of China by
fraud and treachery. Under the influence of
opium, OF through the slavery of gambling
debts. or by deceitful yet alluring promises,
they sign certain papers nomlnally required
by The Portuguese authorities, and then are
removed to the coolie ship, lying from three
to six miles from shore, where they are re-
tanned until a crowded cargo is secured. A
Portuguese gunboat lies near to prevent
revolt, which is always threatened, and often
occurs For brief time some degree of con-
sideration is observed towards them; but from
the day of sailing they are treated as slaves
and brutes. The tragical revolts which have
occurred upon these coolle ships at sea tell
tale of cruelty and wrong which can scarcely
be surpassed.
Chinese emigration, on the contrary, takes
place mainly from Hong Kong, and it is sur
rounded by guards and checks on the part Of
the colonial authorities for which they are
entitled to great credit The number of
passengers is limited by the capacity of the
vessel the ships must be supplied with
abundance Ofwater; Chinese cooks sufficient
to answer the requirements of passengers are
regularly shipped; fuel for cooking is fur
nished and a Chinese physician accompa-
MES each vessel A full list of the names of
the emigrants is furnished to the Harbor
Master; and before departure the ship is regu-
larly inspected by colonial officers, the list is
compared, and the supplies of food and water
are examined. The greater number of these
free emigrants sail for California and Austria
liza; but they also pour out from Hong Kong
to Saigon, Singapore, Manilla and Batavia,
and numerous Chinese colonies are found at
all the trading ports in Eastern Asia.
The United States law Of 1862 gwas un-
doubtedly aimed at suppressing the Coolie
trade; American vessels, to their disgrace,
having largely participated in its profits and
horrors But that law, by its provisions,
placed an etfectual guard upon Chinese emil
grafton. 1t provided that no Chinese emil
grant should be received on board an Ameri-
can vessel unless bearing a certificate from
the American Consul at that port that he was
free person, and not bound to service and
involuntary labor. Upon intelligence of the
passing and approval of the law referred to,
the American Consul at Hong Kong informed
the masters and consignees of vessels of its
provisions. From that period, after due ex-
animation, through an interpreter, the per-
mits required by the law were duly given to
all Chinese emigrants. The name of the emf
grant was inserted in the permit and, under
the seal of the Consulate, it was certified that
each was free person, and not bound to
service within the meaning of the act of Con
gress. These names were afterward com
pared with the list of the Harbor Master, and
the permits were then given to the master Of
the vessel, with his ships papers, when clear
ing from port.
1t may be asked, Are these emigrants free
persons? There is no doubt of it. They are
often persons of learning, enterprise, an(
capital. There are in California in Austria
liza, and throughout the East large number
of Chinese merchants, the equals Of
Europeans and Americans in all that make
business honorable and profitable. 1t is true
as to large numbers of these emigrants tina
their passage money and expenses are fre
Ouently Oaj0 bV Chinese cOmpOOjaS lorGaly
engaged in business and trade in California
There are, in many cases, engagements en-
tered into for the return of these diSburSe
ments, and for certain shares in the profits O.
their labor. These contracts are often in
dorsed by the father and family of the depart
ing emigrant, who expect to reap, and Otter
do reap, great advantages from his enter
prise. They are simply contracts for his re-
moval to remuneratiye field for labor; anC
they derive all their vitality and force from
the desire OF the Chinese to fulfil their obi
cations, obtain a moderate competency. an,
return to their native land Under our laws
these contracts are not binding when mad
for longer period than one year, and, evel
when they are held by the person as sacred
they can in no sense be said to form a condi
tion of servitude.
The advantages Of this emigration, notwitl
standing the prejudice against it, have bee
great and manifold; but the proposition to II
new the Coolie trade under the plea of wal
of labor at the South, is mOnstrous, and ougl
to meet the stern and uncompromising opp
sition of conscientious men. The Chinese al
an active, industrious, and economical peOpl
eminently fitted to be of service in a free con
munity; but, on the other hand, they are III
used to the conditions of slave labor, an
rapidly perish under its requirements. The
are gregarious, and full Of habits and custom