The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-23
THE RACE PROBLEM
REMARKS or SENATOR ,. u. EUsTIs ON
The CHINESE BILL WHICH RE-
GENTLY PASSED THE SENATE.

.rne Race Question in LouisIanR-A Cen
trast Between This state ana CaIifer-
INSTRUMENTATION of the Cinnamon
and support Of the African-GrOss Re
publican Inconsistency.
Congressional Globe, Feb. 10
The Chinese bill being under consideration,
Mr. Eustis said:
MIR, President, desire to say but very
few words to the Senate Coming from q
State where we have a race problem OF no
modified type. feel IL due to put in plea on
behalf OF the white people Of Louisiana. l
feel the more justiiabie, II any justification
were necessary, by reason OF the fact that
am surprised at the attitude which has been
occupied by Republicans on this Chinese
question. / shall vote for the bill, although /
believe the arguments which have been urged
against its passage are overwhelming. except
upon single point, and that is the race ques-
ton. do not believe, nor would for mo-
ment be influenced to cast nay vote in favor of
the abrogation OF a treaty. where we invite
another nation to send their people into our
own country and then turn round and tell the
very people whom we have invited into our
own country under treaty stipulations that
they shall not come into this country for the
simple reason that they cheaper labor.
/ do not believe that such an ar
gument would be addressed to France
or England or any of the other
great Christian States of Europe Suppose
that the French Canadians were to immigrate
In large numbers into the State OF Massachu-
sets, as they are doing to-day. and on ac-
count OF their economical habits they could
afford to live at a rate SO per cent cheaper
than the American artisan; suppose on &C.
count OF some great changes In the Republic
of France a large immigration Of French
citizens should come into the State Of Louisi-
ana or into any other State knowing as we
do that they can live upon one-third what 1t
costs the American operative or the Am ERR
can laborer to live, would any Senator under
take TO legislate. to tell the French or Eng
lish 90, eminent that for that reason their
citizens or their subjects shall no longer come
TO the United States What cause of COM
plant Is 1t to say that the Chinese eat rats
Is that any reason why treaty should be
abrogated2 What cause OF complaint is it
to say that they eat rice: or what cause of
complaint would 1t be on our part IL they did
not eat anything at all, which would be
cheaper What cause OF complaint can the
United States government have that these
people sleep six in room
Mr.. Randolph. Thirty-six-
Mr.. Eustis-Thirty-six my friend suggests.
Suppose they do, is there anything in the
treaty that regulates their diet or mode Of
sleeping. Suppose they choose to be buried
plant Is that? It is very disagreeable to be
buried anywhere, but 1t Is after all a matter
of taste. My friend from California and my
self know that political burial Is very dis
agreeable, although l believe in the resurrec-
ton OF the dead. [Laughterl
/ cav Mr. President that 40 far "a NV vote
Ia concerned thsre has not been single
proposition advanced which should influence
any Senator to take the position that after
we have made solemn treaty with civil
i2ed nation we ought to abrogate that treaty
on account of the habits OF the people OF that
empire, OF which we were perfectly coonizant
in every particular at the very time that we
made the treaty.
When it comes to the question Of race, Mr..
President, confess that the Senator from
California has touched very tender and
very weak spot in my nature. He represents
that The Anglo-Saxon race on the Pacific
coast are to be engaged In struggle with the
Monaghan race; that the interests OF society
are to be affected; that we are to have
turbulence, violence. anarchy, revolution,
or authority In the government to suppress
that violent exhibition OF white human nature.
We heard the Senator from Maine Mr.. Blaine)
state that In his opinion IL this immigration
was not checked la five years from now 1t
would require the United States army to
preserve the peace. merely because the pres
ence Of this people Is Off nsive. merely be-
cause contact with this alien race is offensive.
The inferior race does not claim. as is the case
In Louisiana, to exercise any poll tical rights
they do not engage la any contest Tor polltl-
cal supremacy; they do not claim to enact
your laws; they do not claim to administer
Justice to you; they do not claim t control
every interest which society holds dear, and
every right and privilege to which man Is
attached; but simply on account Of their
made Ia the Senate by Republican leaders
that YOU will have bloodshed aud revolution.
Sir. one thing has struck me during this
and other discussions. whenever the ques-
tion Of race Ia between the Chinaman and the
white man, all the denunciatton is against
the Chinaman; but when the problem OF race
is between the negro and the white man, all
the denunciation IL against the white man.
Mr.. President, will ask the Senator from
Maine II upon mere apprehension OF an in
crease OF population OF this race, IL upon a
mere dread that tn Air numbers will be in
creased so as to equal the white race on the
Pacific slope, and Ii the mere occurrence OF
the two races there should stimulate our
pride of race, should intensity our pride and
hatred OF other races, should urge the white
men to commit violenca regardless OF law and
regardless of authority. why should he ex-
nress surprise and Indignation when race
which is HOT LuS tuudi VI tiio SHllcS6 IdCts d
race that has no civilization, a race that has
no literature, a race that has no statesman
ship. a race that has no science. by the legis-
Iation of this country undertakes to control
the white race and to govern it !? When we
Anglo-Saxons inhabit the same territory with
the African race. and they have been invited
by the legislation of the United States gov
eminent to engage in struggle for political
supremacy, ask the Senator from Maine
why should he be surprised That there should
be occasionally little violence or little
5.oodshed In the State OF Louisiana
Sir it is very simple duty for the honora-
BILE Senator to arraign the white race OF the
State of Louisiana before the bar OF public
opinion and to condemn them. 1t is very
easy task for the honorable Senator from
Maine to pass judgment upon that people, ig-
noring the fundamental causes, Ignoring the
provucation and the irritation which he ac-
knowlpd dyes with reference to the Chinese
race; but ask him how would tue people OF
Maine feel, and how would the people OF
Maine conduct ell ctions il there was submit
ted to them either the African or the Chinese
problem, | care not which, to the extent to