The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-12

ton. Now, the children Of the sun are SIX
ing return Of those laVOrs, according to
the narrOwcst terms ~ an international
obligation, which Is the supreme law Of this
land.
China fulfilled to the letter her contract,
by rcparatiUn for every injury inflicted on
American citizens, 10y the aymcnt Of claims,
and by other acts which nations bpasting a
higher civilization would do well to initiate.
II is "A sad commentary on our progress and
on our free system Of government that in this
nineteenth century any foreign power should
have occasion to rcproach us with bad faith,
or the want of faith In the iullilmcnt Of
treaty originally made in our own interest
and for the protection of our own citizens.
But the fact stands to the discredt OF the
American name that the Chinese have been
outragcously prosecuted ON the Pacific
coast without hand being lifted in their
defence at Washington. or tho least respect
being paid to the terms Of these three
treaties.
California Is indebted for very much Of her
rapid gru&th. development, and prosperity
to Chinese labor. without IL her public
works never could have been completed in
the same space OF time; nor could her agr-
culture and fruit culture have advanced To
their present perfection without the patient,
temperate. and faithful industry Of this
people. While the sailing was smooth and
success was easy. no complaint was made Of
Chinese immigration 1t was invited, en-
couragcd, and utilized in all forms. Now,
however, when the competition for employ
mcnt Is sharp and prostitution Of industry Is
general. a cry Is raised against the Chinese,
which both sides try to turn 10 account by
outbidding each other for the votes OF the
lahoring masscs. who think the bread is
taken from their mouths by these "leprous
intrudcrs," as they are called by sOft-spOken
patriots like KEARNEY.
China has sent mission to Washington
IN the hope Of putting the relations Of the
two countries. 81 far as this special question
is concerned, ON better footing. and Of
securing the rights 81 her subjects under
the treaty The Fraudulent Administra-
ton will, of course cvade the plain duty
which is imposed by national honor, indie
pendent Of positive obligation. Mr.. EvARTs
will write notes a. long rs the moral law,
Nllt lltulllIp tl WHICH Will utlN I ullitst
genius. Things will drift along until some
new outrage, more brutal and shocking than
the many that preceded it, will bring on
crisis which must bc met at Washington,
according TO the terms of the treaty, or abso-
lutely refused. Hating diplomacy will not
suit such an occasion, but Mr. EvARIs will
doubtless try II amt fail.
We have large aud growing commerce
with China, OF which san Francisco is the
direct beneficiary. while California in gen
eral rcaps from IL material profit The
manufacturers of our Eastern States are
now finding in China an excellent mar
kct for the products Of their skill
and industry, over the English. who
have long held the primacy in the East
The prospect is encouraging for great con-
ncctions in the immediate future, with the
revival OF business. All this maybe sacri-
iced by imbccility and cowardlcc in diplo-
macy. China is notdcpcndcnt on the United
States; and when We fail tO do what she has
DONE the short cut will be To Withdraw diplo-
matte pad consular relations, and stop COM
mcrcial intercourse by ahrogatng the
treaty. which either side has the right TO do
without notice. This j., the stroug card Of
| China, and will doubtless he played If the
stern necessity should arise for using 1t.
| When the goose that laid the golden egg is
killed, perhaps San Francisco may rejoice,
and perhaps not.