The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-18
CHINESE IMMIGRATION.


One of the features of President Grants
message was his reference to the immigration
Of Chinese into California, and especially the
terms under which these Asiatics come. Il
is, says the President, &c generally conceded
fact that the great proportion of the Chinese
emigrants who come to our shores dc
not come voluntarily to make homes will
US and their labor productive OF genera
prosperity, but come under contract
with head men, who own them almost
absolutely. In worse form does it apply to
Chinese women. Hardly perceptible per-
centage of them perform any honorable
labor" but their presence is a shame and dis
grace to the community. The President says,
'.if this evil practice can be legislated against
it will be my pleasure as well as duty to en-
force any resolution to secure so desirable an
end" In response to this admirable sugges-
ton of the President q resolution has been
submitted to the House giving him power to
act The New York Herald has this to say on
this interesting subject:
The Chinese problem has been growing in
importance from year to year and bids fair to
our policy. On one side of the ocean is a vast
country that has every advantage of nature,
climate, and soil, and practically uninhab-
tied. On the other side is an ancient civiliza-
ton, going back centuries before the rise of
any modern power, teeming with population,
estimated by some at 4OO, 600, 600 souls, suffer-
ing from all the evils Of over-population.
In other words, on one side Of this sea is
vacuum; on the other side an OVERLOOKING res
ervoir; and the law Of nature will apply in
this case as in others, and we have the ire
sistible impulse Of China to throw its surplus
population into the United States. So dense
IS the population that China could send to
America more people than now inhabit this
Continent and not feel the diminution Of her
strength as much as Ireland or Germany feel
the emigration from their dominions during
the last ten years.
This is one view of the Chinese problem,
and the question is how to solve it. Under
our statutes, especially our civil rights amend
ments- arising out of emancipation and our
desire to protect the negro, the Chinaman has
as much right in America as the German.
Baron Hubner, in his admirable book, "a
Ramble Around the World" gives us glimpse
Of Chinese life in California. From him we
learn that there are between eighty and one
hundred thousand Cinnamon in that State:
that some Of them have founded large and
important commercial houses; that "the
people possess honesty and intelligence"
and the facility with which they at once
seize and adopt the american and European
rules of commerce" is remarkable.
Until now the Chinese have been nothing
but birds of passage. They have none OF
them dreamed of settling in America for life.
Many of those who come are peasants in easy
some bring certain amount
of capital, call vigorous arms and willing
hands, and minds ready to embrace every
chance of success, and firm determination
to make little fortune" Unlike other emf
grants, they come to America with the hope
and intention of returning to China, and go
so far as to enter into contracts with the Gov
or the companies that in the event
Of death their bodies shall be carried back"
The Baron observes, however, the irrepres.
sible conflict between the Californians and
The. Chinese. The Chinese are out of the
pale Of the law; 'before the courts their evil
dence is refused. Those who work at the |
mines are taxed TO the extent Of four dollars |
! month per head. Without the least provoca-
lion on their part the Chinese are constantly |
beaten and robbed No notice is taken Of
.hese iniquities. There is not an instance of
my verdict OF any jury being given in their
avor, or of any punishment being inflicted
IN the guilty. No white man will give evil
lence against one of his own color in favor of |
Chinaman, and the Chinese themselves are
lot allowed as witnesses"
The Baron attributes all this to the fact that
Chinaman will work for dollar a day in the
mines, while white man will insist upon
our dollars. He found the Chinese the best
vorkmen possible, and says that without
heir aid the Pacific Railroad would not have
been built. g They carry home in their
runks the result of their long and patient
oil, in their minds a sovereign contempt of
,ur civilization, and in their hearts the Bit
crest hatred OF the Christian"
natist gives us the other side OF the Chinese
question. What is the best solution? 1t
loes not seem patriotic for us to invite these
lordes of mongrels to come sweeping into our
country like the armies of Attila, gathering
,ur substance and returning to their own
country without any contribution to the pros
,erity of the Republic. On the other hand,
t is crime against civilization and violation
# justice for us to permit the outrages that
re inflicted by white men upon the Chinese
aborer, whose only crime is that he will do
'etter and cheaper work than his rival. The
vii to which the President calls attention,
owever, is one that should be remedied.
The LOUISIANA TRoUBLE.-The excitement
n New Orleans continues, but no attack upon
be Returning Board has yet been made, nor
as the Board yet given any pretext for vio-
,nce It has done nothing and the outrage