New-York tribune., 1879-02-25
ALETTER FROM JOAQUIN MILLER.

A LETTER FROM JOAQUIN MILLER
TIE PACIFIC COAST NOT SOLID FOR RESTRICTION
Az EARNEST DEFENCE OF THE CHINAMES FROM
ONE WHO HAS LIVED AMONG THEM.
To ths razor Of The TrtbuHe.
SIR: Fearful that the President Of the United
States may be induced to sign the Chinese Anti
Emigration bil | beg to submit to his consldera-
tOn the following brief statements: In the first
place it claimed that this s bill which the Pa
cifc people have deeply at heart Iventure TO as
sert that not half of the solid wealth and worth of
the far West, outside of the politicians, favor this
bill. | have many letters protesting against IL ~
coarse and cruel measure. Ny parents, all my peo-
pie my heart and my home are there. | know the
hardy, honest-hearted settlers there, and know
that they protest against this measure which pOii-
ticIans are trying to compel through Congress III
their name. And why is this being done! A. early
"a 1861 this cry against the Chinese began 20 be
heard along the wharves and about the hot'.s OF
san Francisco. 1t came from Irish laborers and
p0rters. but the cry was equally loud against
the negro and the Mexican. In few
years it became more loud, and centred on the
Chnaman, for the Mexican had melted away before
rs and the negro had grayitated back home. But
the cry now came also from the Irish "help,'
VINO, by e1tOftonate wages, had brought the
Cinnamon in competition. These chambermaids,
lovers were voters-makers of Congressman. The
Cinnamon did not vote. and hal no champion.
This is the key 20 the whole question. This OUtcTy
against the Cinnamon has from that day been q
political lhbbOlcth. No man yet SO far Is | have
known, has gone to Congress and lad the manhood
to rise in his place AMI bravely tel the truth and
speak a fearless word for this sill 1t and frendless
stranger
About 1886 the Chnaman began to take hold of
the placer mines alongside OF the miners Of the
Slerras. Up to that time he had confined himself,
aS rule. 10 the pan and rocker and kept in the
wake Of the white miner but now he took to the
long tom, sluice and hume, and bought AMI
worked mine, on large scale. He never vcntured
u take up j claim, but tniidIy held his ground
by bill of sale from some Spectator, who had sold
il to him at a fabulous price. The honest men of
the Scrras welcomed them, and side by side they
worked together for many yelrs; aud am certain
that every miner Ofthose dars who has 10 selfish
ends TO serve will gladly testify 70 the honesty, in
dustry aud nclghbory good nature Of these silent
little brown men. These people, at the same time.
were terribly taxed by the county authorities; but
they always came up promptly, and without word
/ OF complaint paid what was demanded of them. At
Canon City, GFanC County, oregon tins monthly
tax vas - a head for every ChlEaIuan. They had
TO constantly endure wlOnEs from every drunken
ruhiln or reckless "hOCdluu" who lit u impose
upon them: vet they the most peaceful people
We had amongst us. | sat on the bench Judge of
this county for four years, and Will 5tae on the
honor of magistrate that the calendar, both Grim
inal and civil, showed the names of at least
ten white men to one Chnaman, although the Chi
ncsc population. during the most of this time. out
numbered the whites Let me mere say tnat never
during all my years of Intercourse with thus people
as miner magistrate, saw single drunken China
/ man. / never Chinese beggar; never saw q
! lazy Chiuamau. They are perhaps the most indus
tIOus people in the world. 1t is part of the Chi
! namans religion that IN the sweat of ms face he
! shall eat his bread.
Can the United states afford to fear these patient
! and simple people They will not harm They
are not strikers rioters and burners of cities But
there is something in this than the selfish ques
ton our security. The Chnaman who re-
turns home carries something more than our gold to
his land ne takes with hlm aud dssemlnates there
all the art, civilization, freedom OF truth which he
found here. ILese are the real missionaries
to China. This bill must not become
law. This bold attempt 10 make 1t 50
ought TO condemn 10 everlasting intamy every one
of the great names that advocated II. The little
men who stand ~ clpheTs dignity and add TO
these great cures IN Congress ale not perhaps, so
much 10 blame. But il Is pitIfu to tnese great
minds pro>titutcd 10 such selfish aims. They pay a
poor compliment 10 the intelligence of the people
OF the Pacific Coast # they think they not per-
feetly underst0od No. the Creator II us all opened
the Golden Gate to the whole wide world. Lei no
man attempt to shut 1t IN the face Of bis fellow
man JOAQt ~ MILLEk
Nfr- TorE Feb. %, 1879.