The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-18
Now Count the Cost.

Now Count the Cost.
Now that both Houses Of Congress have
struck hands ON violating the treaty be-
tween the United States and China, let them
reckon up the price they pay for their dcma-
gogism. That the iiftoon-passenger bill
sets at naught solemn compact spurns
the obligations of international courtesy,
casts reproach upon the good name of the
country, and puts an end to tho distinctive
glory OF America. maintained throughout n
century, of being the Open-gatcd home of
all nations. has proved Il consideration Of no
weight with Congress; but perhaps that
body may vince little at the blow it has
dealt to American commerce.
No one can suppose that China will re-
ceive this wanton insult without retaliation
"a retaliation at the hour and in the way to
do the most harm. She is not limited to
take her revenge by harassing missionaries
nor by issuing a ilftcen-passcngcr cdict OF
her own, troubling only a few tourists and
business travellers. Section seven of the
nnti-Chinose bill, as il left the Senate on
Saturday, declares abrogated the fifth and
sixth sections Of the treaty OF 1s6s. Not even
EFFIGY SARGENT will pretend that the
United States can destroy two articles and
hold China to the rest China is at liberty
to regard the whole BURLINGAME treaty as
torn TO shreds-she is driven TO 50 regard
It; and under that treaty the United States
enjoy mercantile guarantees which formed
the reasons why It was solcmnizcd. Thus,
just when the turning OF China toward
Western ways opens great market Tor for
eign goods, and while rivals for this market
stand ready to profit by each others blum
dora fuanItu Ia, f.
mcnt, and puts a humiliating mark on the
Mongolian race.
The trade OF San Francisco with China is
already enormously greater than with any
other country in the world. Since the OPEN
ing of the Pacific Railroad. san Francisco
has become a great eRirepot for the rccep-
ton and distribution, on this continent, OF
the products Of eastern Asia. The tea trade
alone Of that port, which was less than
three-quarters of million pounds nine
years ago, is now upward Of eight millions.
San Francsco's Chinese imports are seven
times what they were in 1870. EFFIGY SAR-
GENT undertakes the risks Of aggrevng
China, by declaring that as the maiority Of
our Chinese trade is imports, the Celestials
will take care that IL shall continue The
people Of China, however, will probably do
what their Government directs. But, that
question apart the export trade OF san
Francisco Is also greater with China than
with any other country in the world. Califor-
mia Justly prides herself on the quantity OF
grain she sends to England; but all the eX-
ports OF San Francisco combined to Great
Britain in the year 1871 were Ss,OOl,OO0 less
than its exports TO China; these latter, from
almost nothing twelve or fifteen years ago,
had reached, in that year, upward Of
sd, 100000. They comprised not manufac-
lures alone. but twenty kinds OF crops;
while the presence of such items in the list
a $500 boxes Of clocks indicates that the
Atlantic seaboard has pecuniary interest
in the Chinese question as we'll as the
Pacllc--that Connecticut trade Is impcrilled
by Congressional folly as well as California.
Tho foregoing figures touch the export
trade Of only single American port.
Now, what are the arguments by which
Congress defends itself for wantony Offend
ing a friendly power. ana for inviting tho
Emperor Of China if not to eXpel our people
outright from his domains at least 20 dis
crimiuate against our commerce? What
excuse IS there for imperillng those ship
ping and mercantile interests which Con-
gress not long ago paid an annual subsidy
OF half a million to establish The Chinese
are charged with not assimilating with our
population, when restrictive laws as well as
individual persecution prevent them from
assimilatng. They are accused Of not cdu-
eating their children, when the California
school laws-at least up TO last March-de-
clare that Mongollan children shall not be
included in the appOrtionmeut of any State
money apportoned to the several counties
for public education. They are condemned
for having no Interest in public affairs, when
they are not allowed TO vote They are rep
resented as not desiring TO become natural
lied, when those who have sought citizenship
have been refused IT, They al9 accused Of
addiction to that national vice ct opium
eating for which they may thank hpglo-
Saxon clyilizatlon and yet no one Suggests
that the whiskey-drinking races shall be
limited TO fifteen passengers In "A ship, No
one can seriously claim that because Mon
golians eat cheaper food than Caucasians,
and hudde into cheaper lodgings, and so
nre able to work for lower wages, this
justilles Congress in violating treaty made
AT time when all these race pecullarities
We're fully known.
The Nnti-Chnese bill, in a word, is a ut
mate for the Pension Arrears act, and both
are surrcnders to dcmagogism. The PEN
sion bin was a bait for tho votes Of ex-
soldiers; the Passenger bill for the votes Of
California Oregon, and Nevada it may yet
prove that the latter will cost, oven in
money, more than the former In putting
itself ON a plane with that eminent states
man, EFTlGY SARGENT, Congress has made
IL precedent regarding the abrogation Of
hfnt tf,f