Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-04-26
PROFESSIONAL.


SPEECH OF DELICATE RRENTs.
| In the House of Representatives. On
the 18th Of March, while considering
the bill to restrict Chinese immigration.
Mr. Brents, of Washington Territory,
said:
Sa SPEAKER: Before the final vote
II taken on this measure. ask the fur
ther indulgence Of the House for Q very
few momsnts.
No more important measure has re-
ceived or Is likely TO receive the atten-
ton of this Congress. Ii is not sur
prising, perhaps. in view of the far
reaching results to be accomplished.
that some gentlemen whose sincerity
and path iotism are unquss:ionable hav
shown some hesitation III giving it til cir
support.
No Que holds in greater vsneration
than l the cherished traditions of our
free country and her benign institutions.
No one welcomes more heartily than |
do the poor and oppressed of every ma
tionality who come to our shores to find
a refuge FROM oppression, and a home.
No onS feels greater pride IN hearing
my country called the land Of liberty.
the asyinm for the oppressed and the
home OF freedom. No one upon this
door WIS moved with higher admira
ton rs the eminent gentleman from
Massachusetts Mr.. Kice1 and the ven
srabie gentleman from Ohio Mr.. lay
lor) dweit with such mastery and soul
stirring eioquence upon these delightful
themes. IL was, indeed, a source Of
great pleasure and qualification to ms
10 lind the opponents of this bill actua-
ted In this matter by the same patriotic
feelir. 9, the Same love of country, the
same desire to perpotuate our American
system OF government. the same solicit
tude for the welfare Of our American IN
dustries, and the elevation and prosper
Ity OF our Amerlca an lsborsrs, that have
prompted It's advocates In bringing it
forward.
am truly glad to find all parties in
this House, AZ least, planted on the
same humane and benevolent principles
and irnpelled by the same philanthropi0
purposes. Bus it does seem little
strange that they should differ 10 widely
and SO radically in the simple applica-
ton of them. Moved, as they claim to
be, by the same grand purposes, and
yet pursuing courses 70 divergent, can 1t
be that both fully and correctly under
stand the bearings OF the subject in
volvsd? Is it not manifest that either
those who favor or those who oppose
the measure, il alike sincere and candid
in their professions of loyalty to kepub-
lican institutions and of disinterssted
friendship for our laboring classes-as
have no reason to doubt Ill the lsast-
must. III the very nature OF the case,
wholly misunderstood the character Of
these Chinese and the object of their
coming! Now, sir, which IS it most
likely to be! Are those VINO have been
brought In daily contact with them for
years, aud in thousands rs liable to be
deceived and mistaken in this regard as
those who know them only in books or
who meet them but seldom!
MIR. Speaker, the citizens of the Paci-
flo coast. OF all Glasses aud parties, lay
ing aside all differences AS to other mat
ters, through the petition-box, and by
their Senators, Representatives anu
Delegates, with unbroksn unanimity,
are besseching you, IN the name of free
government and free labor, to stay the
On-comIng tide. Are all these people |
misguided enthusiasts, blinded by race |
prejudice, or deluded by selfishness and |
jealousy Are all virtue. brotherly |
kindness, and patriotism IN our coun- |
try to be found east of the Rocky |
Mountains! SIR. have been a resident |
of the Pacific coast from boyhOod, a
period OF thirty years, and have found |
the people there To lie as brave.as broad |
minded, AZ intelligent, as enterprisirg (,
and rs generous a. any people on earth. |
They are AS strongly attached TO our
government, as deeply interested in the
welfare OF our common country. AZ
ready to relieve the destitute and suffer
ing. or champion the cause of tho weak
and defenseless, and rs independent
nd fearless Of fair and legitimate
competition in the racs OF life as any
people In the world. They gladly,
heartily and cordially welcome all for
eigners who come III good faith to make
tnis land their home and to- enjoy the
blessings of freedom. But, sir, va have
learned, to our disappointment and sor-
row, that these Chinese come for no
such purposes.
They come with no intention of BE-
coming citizens, acquiring homes, or
even remaining permanently with us. |
Every one has made provision, in ease |
Of unexpected death Ill this heather |
country. as they consider it, for the re- |
turn of his body to the Celestial Empire |
for burial. Every one has taken n sol |
emn obligation not to renonnce his al |
iegiancs to his own despetic government, |
the violation of which would subject |
him and his relatives left behind him |
To the most dircfui puuishments. All, |
or nearly all of them are sent here by |
the Six Chinese Companies, who's slaves |
they are. not To better their own condi- |
ton nor to benefit Us. but for purposes |
Of cold greedy speculation on the part of |
those who seEd them: and to enforce |
the strict performance of their onerous |
and serv.ls obligations to their unscru- |
pnious and grasping masters, and for |
tier rs.nrn with their Accommodations, |
everything they hold near and dear. |
wives and children. and even their right /
to life in this world and happiness III
the next. are placed III pawn. Their |
food, clothing. and other iiecessaries |
are furnished from China. 50 that no |
portion of their earnings shall be spent /
IN this country. Mos: of them are GRIM /
.nals or prostitutes of the most grovel- |
ing instincts, many infected with loath- |
some or dangerous diseases-the very |!
scum and dregs of the most degraded
part of hunianity-who bring with them |
ut tiAeh tNapsAW 0u0 NAStoas s"NAa~tss
customs. habits and practices. and |
maintain them here. That they may |
the more successfully compete With our |
most economic, Industrious and frugal |
American isborers. reduce wages, their |
wages even below starvation rates. drive |
them out Of employment and SO be ena- |
bled to supply the entire demand Tor Ia |
Dor. they huddis together BY hundreds |
in their dSns of vice. Nth and pcsti- |
lencc.
No laooring freeman VINO mas sne
comfort, or even decancy. certainly |
none who has = family - support and |
educate. stands any show whatever in |
composition with these brutish Mon |
golian slaves. Il has besn said ON this |!
floor that Chinese are not fs:ly and Of |
Z i. u