Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-04-08
A SENSIBLE MOVEMENT.

manner which gives promise that the
subject will be presented to the National
authorities in such way as will insure
attention and respect. 1t is proposed to
establish commission of Senators, whose
duty it shall be to collect all information
bearing upon the matter of Chinese i'm
migration and its probable effect upon the
Pacific States, and collate such other facts
in regard to their mode of life, habits,
manners and customs, etc., as will tend
to throw light upon the question, to be
used on the part Of the people in the war
of self defence which they will soon be
compelled to wage. A movement of this
kind and with the object for which it is
intended cannot fail to bring about results
WHICH will inuie to our benefit. 1t will
be above the suspicion of demagoguery-
the curse of American politics. What
ever the Disadvantages are which arise
from the presence among US of this unde-
sirable class of people, will be set forth
in the cool and unimpassioned language
Of which the gravity Of the subject is
worthy. And at the same time it will
remove the temptation to acts of lawless
violence which cannot but prejudice our
cause among people who do not realize
that the time. has arrived when the people
here believe that no further delay must
be permitted in turning back the Asiatic
hoi des which threaten TO oycrwhelm the
land.
1t is not a subject Of pride to any mod.
crate mind to reflect upon the past Of this
Chinese question. The prejudice, well
founded indeed, against the race has been
a fruitful theme of demagogic oratory,
and in dread Of the evils threatened the
people have, at times, forgot to be just.
Whatever may have been the dislike we
entertained for them, we were bound,
as good citizens, TO respect their rights,
| give them the full protection of law and
rs remedy for the evil look to the CEN
trail government. But the Democratic
party stood always in the way of any sem
sble legislation, and would now, only its
leaders realize that they have played their
anti Chinese card for all that it is worth. /.
To our shame, be it said, there were too
many who were led to the belief, that in
Democratic supremacy would be found
the panacea for this i'll. The truth WAS
ialsiiied to make the appeal to prejudice
/ yet stronger, and thousands of voters
were made 10 believe that the Republicans
were as party responsible for this Ash
attic presence, and desirous of encouraging
further immigration. The idea was held
out that the Fifteenth Amendment would
confer upon the Chinese the right of suf-
frage, and in 1869 the Democrats swept
| over the State like whirlwind upon this
issue. That it was false one no one
needs be told but it answered its purpose
and that was all its originators asked.
And when the Legislature of that year
met it sought to enact some of the most
! ill-adyiscd legislation ever dreamed of.
1t accomplished nothing, save to call the
attention of Congress to its nulifying at
tltudc, which became another reason for
the passage Of the g Enforcement Act"
by which tho mining counties were de-
prived of the benefits they had hitherto
deived from the collection Of Foreign
Miners License.
What is now being done should have
been done at that time. But if the truth
were known the Democratic leaders did
not want the passage of any law which
could prohibit their coming hither. Their
presence WAS too good a handle to popular
prejudice to be let go easily. But one
good was accomplished by the wild leg
lslatlon of the time-the CelestiaIs learned
that their presence here was not consid- :
cred desirable, and then, as now, the head
men of the six companies sent notices to
emma to that effect and stopped the stream
that was pouring in. When, however,
the excitement had died away little it
recommended, and has now assumed such
proportions as to once again arouse gen
eral public attention.
But, better than hostile law will be
hostile public sentiment if directed Alright.
We do not mean that kind of hostile sem
tlmcnt which finds expression in acts OF
violence, but which leads people to com
bine against employing them in any ca
pacity, or purchasing any of the products
OF their labor. When this is done, John
Chinaman will not find in California an
inviting field. His sole object in coming
hithcr is to better his pccuniaIy condition
and If there is no promise of that there is
nothing to invite his presence.