Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-06

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north Of bingham Kennebec Purehasr In Somerset
county
Ms,ns tue amendment oi 'he CONSTITUTION OF
To provide for blanks for State valuation.
LAYING atax the counties OF the state.
Iao. oi .he Secre.nry on the senaie.
rivers 81 Jobn and 81 rsanci ~hr ssid $fy. o s.. M
the boundary line between the United states and the
dominion OF canada
charges M oS sn h 70 W ,ns ana
81
he""Ths VI MT Aimpah VI Datn,
fen; ~, upon me resolutions introduced by him In
'e'"''o" " VI. sa..oA y. '"e N'ine'e treaty
Mr. SrgAKER.-I have presented these
resolutions from sense Of duty which feel
that owe to nv constituents and to the pco-
pie Of this State We are a commercial Deo-
pie The sails of our ships whitcn every sea.
Our interests and property arc scattered over
the whole world; and when any danger arises
threatening those interests il becomes us to
ward il Off bv every means in our power.
For centuries, the Empire of China was
closed door TO all the world They were a
peculiar people; living within themselves and
wanted no intercourse with the "outside bar
barians." whom they regarded as inferior to
themselves in every respect The obstacles
to that intercourse were broken down by a
I
Our first treaty was made in ls44 The pres
ent treaty. which confers greater privileges
than were then enioved bv any other nation
was concluded at Washington in 1864 BY
it, entire liberty of conscience and worship
in both countries was guaranteed, and all
rights in regard to travel and residence were
accorded to citizens of both countries that
were enioved bv the most favored nations.
The commercial advantages were great.
All the desirable Chinese ports were opened
to Us for trade. and our merchants were not
slow to take advantage of what were then
considered great concessions
From the beginning, the American people
have occupied the first place in the regard
and friendship of the Chinese. Her Young
men have been sent here in great numbers for
instruction and education at our schools and
colleges
The greatest honor ever conferred by them
upon foreigner was the appointment of an
American, Anson Burlngamc, TO negotiate
treaties for China with all the great powers
of the world a
The present treaty was made by him, rep
resenting the Chinese Empire with our
President and Cabinet representing the L nit
ed States. II is the only way nv which trca-
ties are made and when alterations are found
10 be necessary they are only made by nepo-
tiation in the same way. We have treaties
of amity and friendship with all the powers on
the face of the globe, concluded in the same
manner AS the treaty with China Should
Congress seek to abrogate any part of those
treaties with any of the nations of Europe
without previous negotiation, it would be con-
sidered an insult and indignity almost equiv
alent to declaration of war. Now
sir. what has our Congress done? II has vot-
ed to abrogate certain portions of our treaty
with China, without consulting the treaty
making power of our government, without
negotiation, and in defiance of all the time
honored and settled rules which have gov
erned treaty making powers since the world
began.
The people Of New England have made
great complaint Of the operation of the '..ish-
cry clause" in our last treaty with Great Brit
ain. This House has Just passed a resolve
asking for a termination of that clause. The
matter has received the attention of Congress
by resolution that it is desirable to termn-
ate that clause in the treaty. leaving it to the
executive power to bring about the termina-
tiCn. Mark the difference. England is
powerful nation. capable of resenting an in
suit and of striking hard. China is a peace
ful nation. incapable Of resenting an indigni.
ty by offensive measures beyond her own bor-
ders.
Can anything in this view Of the case, be
more dshonorable or cowardly than this ac-
ton of Congress? But. sir China can do
this. Ii we refuse to allow her citizens the
privileges accorded to them under the treaty, "
she can mete out the same measure to our
citizens Her ports will be closed 10 our
ships and steamers, the great American mer-
camille houses established there will be ruined,
and our country will be shut out from anv in
tercourse with China as effectually as we are
from the North pole. Is this an agreeable
state of things for our commercial and mer-
camille people to contemplate
Look, sir. at the trade we now have with
that country. 1t has been stated in Congress
that our total exports to all Chinese ports out
side of Hong Kong was only S692, 900. This
statement is on par with the proposed man
ner of abrogating the treaty. 1t is to speak
moderately incorrect TO the port of Shang-