The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-03-13
Chinese immigration.
WALTER EDMUND WooD.

The following, taken from the newly-elected
Republican Governor Perkins message to the Cal
ifornia Legislature, will show what are the views
Of the more intelligent and conservative citizens
of that State on this vexed question
At the last election, in accordance with the
statute providing therefor, a vote of the people of
this State was taken upon the question Of Chinese
Immigration for and = against - the policy
of permitting 1t TO continue unrestricted, as at
present. Out Of a total vote of l6l .4O5 only SS3
votes were . for such immigration. The ballot
was secret-therew was no extraordinary excitement
on the subject the result should be accepted as
a fair indication Of the real opinion of our people
on this important question. Ii ought to be ac-
cepted everywhere as conclusive evidence that
there is practically no difference of opinion among
the people Of this State relative to the policy Of
prohibiting the further increase Of the Chinese
element Of our population. The question has
ceased to be a political issue with us. Men Of
all parties are in perfect accord that immigrants
from China are a curse to this country, and that
some adequate restriction upon their coming
ought to be imposed without delay.
1t il seldom that voters or citizens OF an Amer
lean community 50 generally agree upon a ques-
ton Of such importance as in this instance. The
result cannot be lairly attributed to ignorance or
prejudice; fully twO-tbirds Of the electors Of this
State are natives Of the United States, and a ma
jOrity Of them are from the Northern and West
ern States OF tie Union. They are not affected
by race prejudice. By education and association
they have been well grounded in the principles of
our free institutions, and fully appreciate the sac
redness OF Individual liberty. In proposing to
restrict immigration from China they are not dis
regarding American precedents nor running
counter to the spirit of our republican Govern
ment. They remember that this country was
discovered, and has been developed by people ac-
customed to the benefcent principles of the civil
and common law that our civilization founded
by such people is entirely different from, as it is
much younger than, that which prevails in China,
and which seems to hold those born under it's in
Aucnce with a power that cannot be broken.
An experience Of thirty years has convinced
them that immigrants from China do not and can
not assimilate with our people. They come
hither lCifhout families, with no accurate ideas of
free government or Christian civilization; they
retain their native dialects, their national preiu-
dices, and even their race costumes. They take
no interest in our political affairs, and manifest
no desire to be identified permanently with the
country, as do immigrants from other parts of
the world. They are handicapped by labor con-
tracts which reduce them TO a condition worse
than slavery, for the seryitude cannot be abolish
ed. Their contracts cannot be annulled by our
laws, because they are founded upon the laws,
customs and religious prejudices of China. The
result is to renew in another form the "a %irrepress-
ibIe " conflict between free and seryile labor,
which has already cost us one civil war. Hence
the people Of California say Here is q new
problem in American politics. Our republican
Government has extended its jurisdiction across
the Continent and stands face to face with the
civilization known to history. 1t conlronts
the most pOpulOus nation in the world-a country
so pOpulOus that numbers equal to the entire
population Of the Union could be spared and their
absence scarcely noticed. In all the Pacific States
and Territories the population is less than one
million and a half-utterly Insignificant when
compared to the 400 900 600 in China. 1t costs
much less for the immigrant from that country to
reach this State than it does for the immigrant
from Europe, or even from the older States Of the
Union. Already nearly one-third of the men
among us who make their living by their daily
toll are Chinamen-Chinamen without families to
support, while most of the white labOrers have
wives and children to provide for. In this cOun-
nv the family is the unit OF society. Ii IS the
that makes the homes, and the homes of the
people are the citadels Of our liberty. Ii Is there
respect for law and the love Of freedom are
ostered until they become so much a part of the
nature of the child that when he reaches man
hood he is a useful portion OF the political fabric.
The Chinese know nothing OF this American
rome culture, and we believe they are incapable
If comprehending it. Hence they never become
citizens in the true sense of the word.
Bound in servitude, they differ radically from the
lass of immigrants for whom our ancestors enter
aimed so friendly a feeling, and whom we have al
yays received with hearty welcome. A new evil
rises, for which we must provide a new remedy;
hat remedy we DelIeYe IS 10 restrlct the lIGmlgra-
ion Of this class Of people and it is for tie Fed
Government 70 apply it. The expression of
pinion through the vote lately taken was intend
d for the purpose of influencing such action,
nd it is to be hoped that it may have that
feet.
While we must look to the General Government
Or the complete redress Of this evil, the people
ave attempted, in the new constitution, to find
relief through the action of the State Gov
rnment, by directing certain measures to be ap-
lied. The attention Of the Legislature is there
pre- respectfully invited to this subject, with the
ssurance that whatever can be properly and le-
ally done in this behalf by the State shall have
~ hearty corporation. Nothing should be done
D anger, nor in n spirit of race prejudice. but
with the fairness and dignity becom,
1g a sovereign State Of the American Union.
Undoubtedly the time is rapidly approaching
then the importance of this question will be rec
gnized by the people of the United States, and
hen the public opinion of the nation will find
in wise remedial measures. Surely
he National Republican party, which has always
cen the champion of free labor, which had its
rigin in the struggle against slavery, and has
eretOfore so ~jealously guarded all the interests
T the people, c0nnOt long remain Indifferent to
his question, nor fail to recognize the necessity
f speedily erecting q barrier against this new
anger, which threatens the very existence Of our