The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-02-24
IN. Y. Independent.1
The New Treaties With China.
BY S. L. BALDWIN, d. D.

The Independents editorial ON the
new treaties fttingly presents the hu-
initiating attitude of the great Ameri-
can nation in begging China to allow
the restriction of Chinese immigration
to this country. We assume posi-
tion before the nations of the earth
that is grotesque in its absurdity.
Not many years ago these two great
nations agreed with each other ON the
following statement, which they pub
lished to the world;
The United States of America and the Emperor of
bic Fight Of man to Change his home and aieeiance
emgraon a % Of rher citizens and Subjects respectveiy
from country the other for purposes of cmriosi
Bariinsams Treaty. -''.'''U'
They did not propose by this agree
ment to establish a new right or to
confer new aud unusual privileges
upon their citizens aud subjects res
pectively; but merely y to recognize
an inherent and inalienable right
already existing.
What has occurred to work a change
in the constitution of things, so as to
overthrow this ',inherent and inalien-
able right? Ludicrous enough as
the Independent points out, is the an
swer, that about two hundred thou
sand Cinnamon have immigrated into
this country IN quarter Of a century,
A prejudice was aroused against them,
at first mainly confined to another
class Of immi grants, who are noted
for demanding high wages for indif-
ferent labor, who contribute largely
to our jaiis and hospitals, who soon
learn the art of voting ''early and Of
ten" and who manage to get the con-
troll of our auaiclpai institutions, and
squander the public money i'll dona-
tions to certain religious organiza-
ton and in providing fat Offices for
themselves. This class Of 'Ameri-
can citizens" determined that "the
Chinese must go, and, raising the cry
of Protection to the American Work
ingman," secured large following of
laboring men, especially that sort who
never labor when there is possibility
Of avoiding it. California political
parties being nearly equally divided,
this class held the balance of power.
The two great parties in the nation
being nearly equal in numbers, the
electoral votes of California and Ore
gon were considered very important
So both parties were ready to insert
an anti-Chinese plank in their plat
forms; not because any intelli gent
man in either party believed that we
were il the remotest danger of being
ruined by cheap Chinese labor, but
because they wanted the votes of the
Pacific States for their presidential
candidates. Congress hurriedlY passed
a law restricting Chinese immigration
which every statesman in that body
knew the President would be obliged
to veto, as being in fragrant contra
vention Of existing treaties Then
our commissioners were disnatchaa tG
negotiate new treaties, and avert the
great perils threatening our civiliza-
tion from the presence Of a hundred
thousand Chinese and the possible in
crease Of that number by from ten to
twenty Thousand annually.
And what a sorry figure we cut in
: the whole matter? | find in The
!, Tribune of Jan. 18th an account of
IN, he negotiations between the commits
deioners Of the two countries. After
,sour commissioners mad made known
4 heir errand, the Chinese commissions