The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-08

cigncr5 from the Empcror's territory which
had been from time immcmorial the policy
| of the Chinese Government, WIS denounced
not only as uncnlightcncd. but also as CON
trary To the "inalicnabC and Inherent right
of man TO change his home and allegiance"
Nowhere was this right asserted with
greater vchcmcncc than on the Pacific
coast, where the merchants aud general
population had II particular interest in ce-
tablishing commercial relations with China.
When Mr. BrRLISGAME returned from
China, after having concluded the treaty of
1868, he wa, toasted aud toasted and clc'rcd
In San Francisco for his share in breaking
down the barriers that had shut out Awcli-
can enterprise from Asintlc markets. our
Government, rs Mr. KENNEDY reminds Com
gross, was SO anxious to consuinmatc In"
BuRLINGAME treaty that it approved aud
ratified the contract fourteen months before
it obtained the Empcrors sanction.
The BuBLINGAME treaty stands ~ the
record OF u contract between two notions,
not To zoe annullcd except by the consent Of
both. That treaty says, in article iiith:
1.-THE United States Of America and the Eu-
pcror of China cordially recognize the inhc-
rent and inalcnablc right of man to change
his homo aud allegiance. and also the mu-
tual advantage of the free migration and
emigration Of their citizens aud subjects.
respectively. from one country to the other,
for purposes Of curiosity Of trade, or as
permanent residents"
The sixth article says "Citizcns Of tho
United States visiting or residing in China
shall enjoy the same privileges, immuni-
.
residence ~ may there loo enjoyed by the
citizens or subjects of the most favored
nation This is the clause over which
there was 80 much rejoicing in this country,
because ii indicated the grand American
doctrine " to which reference has heretofore
been made. The same doctrine conversely
applied, dictates the next clause: "And,
rcciprocally Chinese subjects visiting or
residing la the United States shall enjoy the
same privileges, immunitics, and cxcmp-
tions in respect Ia travel or residence as
may there be enjoyed by the citizens or
subjects of the most favored nation" We
have not heard that EFFIGY SARGENT mas
ever read the text of this treaty 20 the SEN
aturs whom he invites To a consideration oi
the Chinese problem; or that Agitator
KEARNEY has ever paused 10 ponder the
nations pledge before shying II brick at the
head OF the nearest heather.
1t would be unjust and inhospitablc to
shut out the Chinese by law. 1hr late SEN
ator MORTON declared that il would also hc
inconsistent and unsound policy to exclude
them from our shores He said, further:
A cardinal principle Of our Government,
proclaimed in the Declaration Of lndcpend-
ence, in the Articles of Confederation, and
recognized by our Constitution, is that our
country is open To immigrants from all
parts Of the world; that II was 10 be the
asylum Of the oppressed and unfortunate. "
But even If 1t were wise. constitutional. and
Christian to do what EFFIGY SARGENT pro-
poses, the BURLISGAME treaty would still
stand in the way. 1t is a solemn contract
between this nation and the Chinese Gov
ernment, and Congress cannot annul ii.