Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-21
The AptI-ChInese Bill.

There seems to be no lack Of good reasons
why the bill forbidding any ship to bring
over fifteen Cinnamon to this country should
not become law. In the first place 1t Is an
attempt to abruptly break treaty by a
statute. In the second place, there Is no
practical need of the measure. Senator
Morrill, in the debate in the Senate. brought
out by question the iact-and Senator
Sargent, of California, was Obliged to admit
it-that as many Chinese are returning to
China, from the Pacific States. as are arrlv-
ing from China. 10 the third place, the
measure Is demanded by Kearney and the
"sand lot'' orators of San Francisco-and
whatever such fellows demand it must be
right to deny. The bill seems also to trench
closely on the principle Of the Declaration OF
Independence, that "all men are born
equal" and it virtually denies the right,
asserted In onr treaty with China, and
declared therein to be an "inherent and
inalienable right of man." to change his
home and allegiance, I'D also 1.-THE mutual
advantage of the free migration and emIgra-
tiun of their citizens and subjects respect
iyely from one country to the other Tor
purposes of curiosity or trade. or a. pcrma-
nent residents" The practical effect OF tho
measure, moreover, will probably be to
damage seriously American trade with
China.
Nj. Blaine, we think, made serious
mistake when be assumed the championship
of this measure His colleague, Mr. Ham
lin, doubtless represents far better the pre-
vailing sentiment among the intelligent and
large hearted masses of the Republican party.
Mr.. Hamlin said when the time shall
come that become satisfied that the Popula-
ton of China will overrun our country, and
there shall be danger or imminent peril from
tbs. immigration, will join with my col
league in ADVOCATING all treaties with them.
will not meet it by an attempt to abrogate
a treaty upon a little point while We are the
bene6ciaries in the great and substantial
points. am Indifferent to all the danger
that shall come away down into the stiffness
of ages from the immigration Of the Chinese.
Treat them, will not say like pagans, be-
cause Confucius would shame Us if We 60 to
his counsel-treat them like Christians, and
they will become good American citizens.
All attempts to materially modify the bill
in the Senate were voted down Mr.. Conk-
ling's amendment, which provided for the
submission of the whole question to negotia-
ton with the Chinese Government, was
rejected, 81 to 49, A substitute by Mr..
Edmunds, releasing China from her obllsa-
tions under treaty which VIC now virtually
repudiate, suffered like fate. The oppOsi-
ton TO the bill, which at first was only
twelve strong, increased as the debate pro-
crossed. The bill was finally passed by the
votes of twenty-oBe Democratic Senators and
eighteen Republican Senators, making
thirty-nine yeas against twenty-seyen nays,
of which seventeen were Republican Sens
tors. The bill having been amended in the
Senate goes back to the House for concur
renee The time for action upon it is
growing short and possibly no agreement
will be reached before the 4th of March.
1t is estimated from Washington that if it
does pass, the President will veto it on the
ground that it violates treaty stipulation
with friendly power.