The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-04-12

of national faith. The messsge calls attention to
the proposition made by United States Commits
sioners on this point. aud counter propositions on
the part of China TO show that the understanding
OF the latter country in the agreement which was
ultimately made, was that immigration would be
limited or restricted 10 a reasonable period. The
President then point out other features OF the
act which, in his opinion, can be modified to ad-
vantage The system of personal registration
and passports Is specifically mentioned as un-
democratic and hostile TO our Constitution. and
he alludes TO the omission of the act 10 make any
provision for transit to China of Chinese subjects
now settling in foreign countries. 10 which subject
the President adds that his attention has been
called by the Chinese Minister. The message re-
ferS 10 the alleged benefits to its industries de-
rived by the Pacific Slope from the presence of
injurious effect upon American commerce with
Chinese legislation OF the character of that pro-
posed, unless carefully guarded, and without
naming any specific period of suspension, sug-
geSts that the length of term should be expert
mental the message and bill were temporarily
laid on the table and ordered printed. In dis
cussing the meaning of the word "laborers" as
used in the treaty, the President comedies that
includes artisans, or skilled laboreTs" In
regard TO the term of suspension, he says: 1.-The
examination which have made OF the treaty and
of the declarations which its negotatOrs have left
on the record of the meaning of It's language
leaves no douht in my mind that neither the con-
tracing party IN concluding the treaty OF 1850
Contemplated the L,aSSage of the act prohibiting
immigration for twenty years, which is nearly a
generation, or thought that such period would
be a reasonable suspension or limitation, in
tended to change the provision of the Burlingame
treaty to that effect regard this provision of the
act as breach of our National faith. and being
unable 10 bring himself in harmony with the
views of Congress upon this vital point the
honor of the country restraints me TO return the
act with this objection 10 It's passage adding that
good policy, as well as good faith, re-
qulres modification OF the twenty
years suspension The President says
our first treaty with China is not yet forty years
old; that il is only since we acquired California
aud established great seat of commerce on the
Pacific that we may be said TO have broken down
the barriers which fenced in that ancient mon
archy. Under the spirit which inspired the Bur
lingame treaty many thousand Chinese laboreTs
came here. These have been instrumental in
building railroads. and the country has prospered
by their industry. There may be other sections
of country where this species OF labor may be adj
vantageously employed without interfering with
the labOrers of our own race. The message speaks
of opening China to the worlds commerce as
having enormously benefited the Pacific slope,
and deprecstes a policy which would drive the
oriental trade and commerce from us. 1t con-
cludes to the effect that while the protection of
our labor from Asiatic competition may justify
TINS policy, IL Is wiser now 10 make shorter eX-
pertinent, with view of maintaining perman-
entity only such features as time aud experience
commend.