The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-03-04

1Ao AAO oLhNuk tuO pcOpICc onu 1oOOo VI |
the earth. The second clause, however, IN |
its reprobation of any other than entirely
emigration by both high con
tracing parties, and in the reciprocal OBJ
legations whereby we secured the solemn
and unqualified engagement on the part OF
the government of China to pass laws
making it a penal offense for citizen of
the United States or China subjects to
take Chinese subjects to the United States
or to any other foreign country, without
their free and voluntary consent, consti-
tute the great force and value of these ar
ticles. Its importance both in principle and
in its practical service towards our pro-
lection against servile importation in the
guise Of immigration cannot be overesti
mated. Ii commits the Chinese govern
men to active and efficient measures to
suppress this iniquit0us system where
those measures are most necessary and
can be most effectual. 1t gives to the
government a feeling of treaty right to
such measures, and the means and oppor-
tunity of insisting upon their adoption, and
complaint and resentment at their neglect.
The fifth article therefore, If it fall short
of what the pressure of the later expert
ence of our Pacific States may urge upon
the attention of this government as essen.
rial to public welfare, seems to be 10 the
right direction, aud to contain important
advantages which oncs relinquished can
not be easily recovered.
The second topic which interests the two
governments under the actual condition of
things which prompted the Buringame
treaty was adequate protection under
solemn and definite guarantees of the
treaty Of the Chinese already in this coun-
try, and those who seek our shores. This
was the object OF the 9th article, by whose
reciprocal engagement the citizens and
subjects of the two governments respect
lively visiting or residing in the country OF
the other was secured the same privileges,
limmunities or exemptions there enjoyed
by citizens or subjects of the most favored
nations, The treaty of 80, to which these
articles are made supplemental, provides
for great amount of privilege and pro-
lection, both of person and property, OF
American citizens 10 China, both upon the
sixth article of that main body of the
treaty the rights and securities of the Chi
nese already in this country depends. Its
abrogation, were the rest of the treaty
left in force, would leave them to such
treatment as we should voluntarily accord
them by our laws and customs. Any
treaty obligation would be wanting to re-
strain our liberty of action toward them or
measure or sustain the right of the Chi
nese Government to redress in their be-
halt
The lapse of ten years since the negotia-
ton of the Burlingame treaty has exhibit
Il ho IS ha
ment, as we'll as to our own people, the
working of this experiment of immigration
10 great numbers of the Chinese laborers
to this country and their maintenance here
of all the traits of the race, religion, map
ners and customes, hsbitation, node of
| life, segredation, and keeping of ties OF
their original home, which stamp them as
strangers and sojourRers, and not as IN
corpOrated elements of our national lite
and growth. This experience may natur-
ally suggests a reconsideration of the sub
ject as dealt with By the BurliDgame
treaty, and may properly become the occa-
sion OF q more direct and circumspect re-
coguitom in the renewed negatioDs OF
| the difficulty surrounding their political
and social problem. 1t may we'll be that
to the apprehension of the Chinese govern.
ment, no less than our own, the simple
provisions Of the Burlngame treaty may
need to Be replaced by more careful meth
DDS, securing tka Chinese and ourselves
against larger and more rapid infusion Of
this foreign race than our system Uf in
dustry and society can take up aud assim-
late with ease and safely. This ancient
government, ruling q polite and sensitive
people, distinguished By high sense Of
national pride, may properly desire al
adjustment OF their relations with tht
confirm aud 10 70 degree endanger the per
manent peace and amity of the growing
commerce and prosperity which it ha
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