The New York herald., 1879-02-23
THE CHINESE QUESTION FROM A
RELIGIOUS STANDPOINT.


Immigration BILL lately passed by Congress- says 1t
is not probable the politicians will let it is.
They too anxious to the Pacific vote;
but one hope yet remains IN the Presidents power
Of Veto The Baltimore Methodist confesses to feel
ing OF shame for country at the passage Of this
bill the part Of Congress in positive violation Of
good faith and in the face Of express treaty stipula-
tions. Our contemporary recognizes the impor-
tance of adopting some means to prevent
such influx Of this Mongolian element
in California as would affect the character
OF our civilization social status on the
Pacific SLOPE interfere with the occupations and
industries of our citizens; but this should be
matter Of mutual arrangement between the two
countries and not be forestalled by any arbitrary
enactment the part of Congress that contravenes
the provisions of international law 1t fears that
the course taken by Congress will complicate mat
ters between the two countries and seriously inter-
fere with missionary operations in the Celestial EN-
pre. now in SO hopeful condition. 1t still hopes
the President will prevent the bill from becoming
law
The hdependen. says the 'hoodlums." the .'sand
lot orators and tho kearneys were last week faith
fully represented by majority Of the Senate OF tho
United States in the vote on the antiChinese Immi
grafton bill. The country may well be ashamed Of
Congress in both houses, and il the President con-
suits honor and does his duty he will meet this
bill with plump and square veto. informing Con-
gress that he will be no party to the passage of
law that violates our treaty with China That such
s the character OF this bill pretends to deny
To say that there was any emergency affecting the
interests OF the nation aud mperatively demanding
such legislation without any delay, an insult to
common The truth is this bill is political
bid for tho vote Of California ut the next Congress
siona election. and the majority both parties In
tho Senate determined that neither should outbid the
other. Should the President sign the bill. the
Chinese Emperor will have just cause for abrogating
every treaty between that country and the United
States.
The Bapst Weekly calls attention to the fact that
u hnO
has beied professions Of loyalty to the rights
before the law and to the doctrine Of equality
In opposition to that of caste, countcnanced by
nearly all other countries. When slavery aboi-
ished by 1t the confident belief. says the
would ever again sully our statute books.
but that. without respect to race color.
our government would afford equal protec.
would seem. our belief may have been too sangune.
The Weekly enters its indignant protest against the
injustice of this BILL not only to the Chinese but to
ourselves. and one that should be resisted as
frsught with tho gravest results. Let this
the advantages which have accrued to us from com
merciA relations. and all tho opportunities which
have been gained for American missionary work
among the Chinese both at home and abroad, will be
entirely lost.
The National Baptist PHILADELPHIA says the bill was
inspired by the Infamous spirit OF caste prejudice
ana narrow minded selfshness and is an attempt on
the part of both political parties to bid for the
OF the Pacific States.
The Christian InteHigencer most heartily condemns
this bill and calls attention to the the 90 900
Chinese in California contribute over $l5,OoOOOO
yearly to the OF the Sate that the Chinese
importers at San Francisco pay into the United States
Treasury 81 100000 in duty and that the value of
property in California held by white men has been
Increased during the past ten years $3.50 by
Chinese labor 1t also calls attention the fact that
thirty-hve or forty years ago, when European mmi-
grafton set this way. American born workmcn's
wages reduced to fifty cents q day by the over
supply OF labor from abroad. But most of all tine
Intelh0noy regrets this Congressional action on re-
hgious grounds.
The Carsstian Union is glad that tho President is
not candidate for reelection and is independent of
the "hoodum vote and 1t therefore hopes to see in
his veto Of this phase of Native Amoricansm an
exhibition OF his quiet and unostentatious strength
Of principle. Our contemporary gives sarcastic
draft Of bill that ought to be passed requiring
every cmigrant to give at the Custom House satsfac.
tory evidence that he s member of some Christian
Church or congregation aud holds to y Christian
creed; that he intends to DO naturalixed and
to vote carly and often; that he IL married or
Is prepared to give bonds that he will marry within
year; that he eats meat at least day aud that
he would rather stay idle aud join the noble army Of
trsmps than work for less than IL day These en-
body the arguments against the Chinese, aud the
CAristida Uaom thinks II IL is right TO exclude John
because he will work the ranch for less wages
than Patrick IL is equally right to exclude Patrick
he will work in the factory for less wages than
the Yankee farm boy.