The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-02-20
GREAT SPEECH BY SENATOR MAT
THEWS.

We have given a good deal of space to
the Chinese iniquity bill, as we regard it
as being the most important measure
ever agitated in this country. 1t passed
the Senate on. Saturday by a vote of 80 to
81. We hope the President may veto it,
Whether he does so or not, the end is
not yet; therefore, we give the great
speech of Senator Stanley Matthews, de-
livered in the U. S. Senate on last Thurs
day. Let every subscriber of the Stand
ard, men and women read it. There is
more pure Christianity in this speech
than can be found in a hundred ordinary
sermons
Mr.. Matthews. Mr. President, l am
charged with the responsibility as q Sen,
ator on this floor of casting a vote upon
the passage of this bill l shall vote
against it, and | am not willing to let the
occasion pass without also putting on
record some at least of the reasons which
influence my vote.
The question, in my opinion, is too
important its right decision rests upon
principles that are too familiar and at the
same time too sacred, and its consequen-
CeS DIS d pIdCGlCdl mGdSuT6 Oh leSlSlallOQ
upon our character as a nation among
the family of. nations and upon our ma.
terial relations to the government of the
Empire of China itself are too serious to
be passed by, in my judgment, without
proper discussion, without proper un-
derstanding, such as | fear will not be
given to it by the public at large l fear
not by majority of the Senators on this
floor.
Mr.. President. if l believed that the
representations which have been made
in respect to the evils to be remedied by
this legislation were as true, as faithful
to the fact as no doubt those gentlemen
sincerely do who make them, | should
still be compelled to vote against this
bill. If | believed that we not only had
the constitutional power but the moral
right to keep out from our social and
political body voluntary immigrants from
the Chinese Empire or elsewhere on the
face of the globe; if believed that the
good to be accomplished and the evil to
be averted by keeping them out were as
great as the gentlemen who represent on
the floor OF this body the States of the
Pacific coast do believe them to be, new
ertheless my respect for the sanctity Of
the plighted faith of the nation in a SOL
emn treaty with a sovereign power would
compel me to seek some other method of
securing these results than this arbitrary
act of legislation
Why, Mr.. President, we are discussing
the passage of this bill and about l fear
to pass it, i'll the face of q treaty, treaty
made by the constitutional treaty max
ing power OF this nation, made with re-
circumstances Of exceptional
solemnIty, made by q special embassy
sent for the purpose. in which, in the
face OF great difficulties and distractions
Occasioned by the impenetrable character
of these people. we solicited from them |
the covenants which we are now about to |
break; and we are to do it by putting |
upon that treaty the stamp of hypocrisy |
On our own part as a party to it, for we |
the Chinese government in |
the Burlingame treaty with such express
'ions as these
The United States of America and the Empe-
or of China cordially recognize the inherent
md inalienable right of man to change his
home and allegiance.
And also:
The mutual advantage of the Tree migration
eSpectiVely from one country to the other for
of curiosity, of trade, or of permanent
esidence.
What has occurred since the date of
hat treaty to give the lie to that declar-
ton? If none but our own convictions
ave changed either as to the right or 4
xpediency, then by the same bondss swith {
hich We bound the parties let US seek I