Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-03-07
The Presidents Veto on the Chinese I'm
migration Bill-The Text Of
the Message.
WASHINGTON, March l.


the Message,
WASHINGTON, March l.
The following are the points of the Presi-
dents message yetoing the Chinese lmmigra-
tion bill:
The bill, as it was sent to the Senate from the
House of Representatives. was confined in its
provisions TO the object named in its title, which
Chinese to the United States" The only means
adopted to secure the proposed object
was the limitation on the number of Chi
nese passengers which might be brought, to
this country by any one vessel to fifteen, and as
this number is not fixed in any proportion to the
size or tonnage of the vessel, by any consider
alton of the safety or accommodation of these
passengers, the simple purpose and effect OF the
enactment were to repress this Immigration TO
an extent falling but little short of its absolute
exclusion. The bill as amended in the Senate,
and now presented to me, includes an indepen-
dent and additional provision which aims at,
and in terms requires, the abrogatlon by
this Government OF articles hye and and
six of the treaty with China, commonly
called the Burlingame treaty, through the ac-
ton of the executive, enjoined bv this provision
of the act. The main substance of all the proyl-
sions of the treaty is to define and secure the
right of people, in respect of access and
residence, and protection in and trade with
China The actual provisions in our favor in these
respects were framed to be, and have been
found to be adequate and appropriate to the
interest of our commerce., and by the con-
cludlng article we receive the important guar
anty that should at any time the Ia
Sing Empire grant to another nation,
or the merchants or citizens of any nation, any
right. privilege favor, connected either with
navigation, commerce, political or other inter
course, which is not conferred by this treaty,
such right, privilege and favor shall at once
freely inure to the benefit of the United States,
its public officers, merchants and citizens.
Against the body of stipulations in our favor,
and this permanent engagement of equality In
respect of all foture concessions to foreign ma
tions, the general promise OF permanent peace
md ofh pr1n nnr a n the
equivalent. Reference is then made to the visit
of Mr.. Burlingame, and there are quotation from
articles five and six of the treaty. The message
continues? An examination of the two articles
in the light of experience, then influential IN
suggesting their necessity, viii show that the
fifth article was framed in hostility to what
seemed the principal mischief to ne guarded
against. to wit: The introduction of Chinese
laborers by methods which should have the char
acter of forced and servlle importation, and
not of Il voluntary emigration of neemen, seek
ing our shores upon motives and IN manner
| consonsnt with the system of our institutions,
and approved by the experience of the nation.
Unquestionably the adhesion, OF, the Gov
ernment of China to the liberal principles
OF freedom IN emigrSIGn @ G rb Mi5n ,s wcn ar se
ward opening that Empire to our civil
zation and religion. and gave promise In the
future of greater and greater practical results
in the diffusion throughout that great population
of our arts and industries, our manufactures,
our material improvements and the sentiments
of government and religion. which seem to us
important to the welfare of mankind. The very
first clause of this article secures the accept
ance by them of the American doctrine of tree
migration to and fro, among the peoples
and races of the earth. The second clause
| however, in its reprobation OF any other than
an entirely voluntary immigration, by both th(
high contracting parties, and in the reciprocal
obligations whereby We secured the solemn and
unqualified enjoyment on the part of the Govern
ment of China" to pass laws making it pena
offense for a citizen of the United States or Chi
nese subjects to take Chinese subjects either u
the United states or 70 any va Sthe[ h0TfgR
| sent, constitutes the great force and value Of
| this article. It's Importance both in principle
| and in it's practical services toward our prOtec
ton against servile importation in the guise OF
| immigration, cannot be overestimated. 1t com
| mits the Chinese Government to active and ETH
! cient measures to suppress this lnlqultOus sys
| tenn, where these measures are most necessary
| and can be most effectual. 1t gives to thu
Government the footing of q treaty, righ
| to such measures and opportunity OF IN
sisting upon their adoption, and of com
plant plain and resentment at their neglect; IN H.,
HMIIh M artlvie thsr9toIei ~ ~ fSil shore OF VIVA, ma
| Pacific States, may urge upon the attention o
| the Government as essential to the public wei
fare, seems to be in the right direction, and t
contain important advantages, which once re
hnquished, cannot be easily recovered. lh
| lapse of ten years since the negotiation OF tn
Burlingame treaty, hes exhibited to the notlc
of the Chinese Government, as we'll as t
our own people, the working Of this experiment
Of Immigration in great mum bers OF Chinese la
|
here of all the traits of race, religion, man
ners and customs. habitation. mode of life, seq
regation here and the keeping up of the tie
of their original home, which stamp them a
strangers and sojourners, and not as an IN
corporated clement of our national life an!
growth. This experience may natural
ly suggest the reconsideration of tn
subject, as dealt with by the Burlingame treaty
and may properly become the occasion of NOR
direct and circumstantial recognition in renewe'
negotiations of the difficulties surrounding thi
political and social problem. 1t may and VIII b
that to the apprehension of the Chinese Goy6n
ment, no less than our own, the simple prov1s
ions of the Burlingame treaty may need to b
replaced by more careful methods, securln
the Chinese and ourselves against large
and more rapid infusion of this fOreig
race than our system of industry and society ca
take up, and assimilate with ease and safety.
regard the very grave discontents of the peopl
of the Pacific coast with the present working o
the Chinese emigr ,tiOn, and their still graveraI
prehensions therefrom in the future, as deserV
ing the most serious attention of the people q
the whole country, and solicitious interest o
the part of Congress and of the Executive.
this were not my own Judgment, the passag
of the bill by both Houses of CongreE
would impress upon me the seriousness OF tn
situation, when a majority of the Represents
tives of the whole country thought it best
Justify so serious a measure of relief. An argu
ment is then entered into TO show that Congress
by legislative enactment, cannot abrOgate
treaty. Instances have sometimes occurred wbe
the ordinary legislation of Congress has, by II
conflict with some treaty obligations of tn
effect as an infraction of the treaty, and bee
judiciallY declared 10 be operative to that res su
but neither such legislation, nor such judicil
sanction of the same has been regarded as an at
TOgation even for the moment of the treaty. Onth
contrary the treaty in such case shall still sui
sist between the Governments, and the casut
rs f tbS Se Hi heSoy
me does not enjoin upon the President the obi
CATION of the entire Burlingame treaty, niue
less of the principal treaty OF which 1t Is mad