Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1870-08-06
williams on the Chinese Question.

lill was before the Senate, with the
word white stricken out, which was
the work Of Senator Sumner, on which
occasion much excitement prevailed on
Gccount of an amendment offered by
Senator Williams, from Oregon, which
amendment read as follows:
Provided, That nothing in this act
shall be construed to authorize the nat
uralization of persons born in the Chi
nese Empire.
That paper then proceeds to give
lengthy extract from speech of Sem
ttor Williams, part of which we
copy for the purpose of showing that
Williams is as conservative on the Chi
na question as the Dallas REpuBLIcAS,
making the same argument, but couch
ed in much stronger language, and
whether or not he ought to go to the
Democrats, in consequence thereof, we
leave the Ore9on'an to Judge.
The following is the extract from
Williams argument, as given by the
Statesman:
Sir, the Chinese have been rapidly
increasing in the United States since
the immigration commenced and every
year thousands are going back to the
country from whence they came, tell
ing OF the beauties aud attractions OF
this land, aud the heart of this great
empire is beginning to be stirred with
the idea OF immigration to this, to those
people, land of promise and plenty.
Whether any steps can or ought to he
taken to check this immigration or inl,
lortation, is not now the question be,
fore the Senate; but the question is,
will Congress by proclamation to these
people, that if they will come here
they shall not only enjoy all other rights
and privileges, but that they shall be.
eome participants in the political power
OF this country-will Congress, by such
a proclamation, invite and encourage
this influx of paganism and pollution
90 our shores?
Sir, no man more frequeuntly than
che Senator from Massachusetts tells us
that popular Intelligence is the palladi>
um of the peoples safety, But now
by this legislation he proposes to com
init the destinies of this nation, as far
as he caU, to countless horde of aliens,
whose besoited ignorance is only equal
ed by their moral debasement To
talk about the education of the people !;
to talk about intelligence among voters;
TO talk about the establishment Of
schools and the diffusion OF know ledge
as the guarantees of our free institu
tious, and at the same time propose 20
give to m lions Of benighted and grow
cling pagans the right to control the
affairs of the Government. is perfect
absurdity. Sir, it is mere stuff and
nonsense. whicL only deserves what il
will receive, the derision and contempt
of the American people. Sir, wise men
tell us, too, that morality. virtue and
religion are essential to the safety of
our institutions and the integrity of the
nation, and while they proclaim this
doctrine they propose to put the politi
cal future OF the nation into the hands
of the Josh worshippers of China, aud
surrender to their control the temples
and affairs Of our religion. Ignorance.
idolatry, immortality, vice, disease, and
prostitution are the deities of the Sena.
tors theory; and to them he is now
ready to sacrifice the pride aud glory.ol
American citizenship.
And 1 ask the attention of the Sen
to this, fact--that upon the Pacific Goa, [
and. In most Of the Western States ii
is only necessary that declaration OF
intention shall be made to eatitle for
cigner to vote; and so within very
short time after Chinaman puts his
foot upon American soil he can become
voter, the political peer in all respects
with any Senator in this body. = = y
> / suppose the honorable Senator from
Massachusetts feels entirely safe, en-
tirely beyond the reach of any popular
revulsion | know that he is inAexibl,
devoted to this theory of bis; and
have little doubt that If all the work,
men Of Massachusetts, poverty. stricken
and beggared, with their families fol
lowing half starved and half clad, were
90 come to the Senator, and, lifting W
their hands, i.aplore him to deviaie one
hair from his theory for their sakes
he would shut the doors of his palata
mansion in their faces, and sitting down
heedless of their cries, dream only o
the triumph Of theory. = =
Pass this bill without my amendment
and as soon ms il becomes law there
are eighty thousand Chinanlen wh'
could in one day, or as quick as th'
courts could do the work, make them
selves voters GA the Pacific coast
Think of putting the political poweI
and control of that beautiful section 0
~Aam., 80 Al N \