The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-08-13
The Moulders on the Coolie Question

The Iron Moulders' International
Union, which recently closed its SEES
sion in Philadelphia, has given ex-
preston to their views of the COOlie
trade in the following preamble and
resolutions. 1t behooves every labor
organization to be outspoken on this
subject and none can be more ex-
plicit than those which we subjoin -
WHEREAS, There has, of late years, arisen an
emigration Of a new and, 40 tar as our country
is concerned, Of an unprecedented kind, de-
signed and intended, as we believe, TO reduce
to poverty and BAT barism the workngmen Of
this country, by introducing system of labor
utterly servile and degrading, aud hitherto IN
known in this country and
WHEREAS, II is important, in view Of recent
events. that an expression of opinion should be
had from our organization relative to the ques-
ton OF Coolie labor, il il therefore
RESOLVED, That the International Union OF
Iron Moders, ID Convention assembled, hereby
cutter their most solemn protest against the
further introduction OF Coolie labor into this
country, and present a portion OF the reasons
which actuate them in doing So
l. The introduction OF the CooIe labor into
this country is calculated to reduce the wages
Of mechanics and lAboring men to rate Of
compensation upon which an American work
ingmau can not possibly subsist.
2 Il will still further lower the social status
of those who are now socially low enough
g. Il will still tend TO a state Of pauperism,
dependence and crime.
4 It will imperil the safety Of our Republican,
institutions
s. Il will inevitably degrade the morals Of
all those with whom the Chinese serfs are
brought into contact, and the children, not of
the Door, but Of the rich we'll, cannot avoid
being contaminated by their customs and ex-
ampes.
G. 1t will discourage the emigration to our
shores Of the hardy and virtuous sons Of toll
who have aided in building up our COUNTRY and
elevating her 90 proud position among the ma.
tons of the earth.
7. I.will add to our population class Of peo-
ple who do not desire citizenship, and who do
not intend to remain in midst and who can
not. therefore in any sense, be considered as an
addition to the wealth and prosperity of our
country.
s. Il will virtually, and to all inteats and
purposes, re establish the slave trade in our
midst with all its attendant horrors, and, final
Is. il will have the effect of destroying every
privilege the negro bias gained by the war and
by subsequent Congressional enactmen 8, and Of
placing him in a worse condition than he was
in before the war because the impor alton Of
Coolies into The south will so cheaper the price
Of labor as to entirely deprive the negro Of his
means of livelihood, and thereby take from him
every advantage thst he might otherwise gain
from citizenship and suffrage.
Resolved, That believing, as we do, that all
these and many more evils will result from this
horrible traffic, and feeling deeply the necessity
Of every trade organization taking action in the
matter. We do hereby pledge ourselves to unite
with any other organization in any lawful and
honorable effort to check and suppress this in
human traffic
Resolved, That we are not opposed to volun-
tary emigration, but will extend the hand Of
welcome 70 the emigrant from every cline who
comes to share the privileges and benefits con-
ferIed upon us BY cur institutions
WA. c. BRADLEY,
THOMAS WALSH
CIV. SMPKIss,
ions RorRKE,
J.NITcHELL,
Committee
To all Of which we say AMEN, with
the substitution Of the word importation
for emigration.