Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-07
NO. So.

whether they ought to be required to register
IL is certainly our duty under the Burlingame
treaty to make their stay in the United
States in the operation of general laws upon
them as nearly like that of our own citizens
a. we can consistently with our right to shut
out the laborers. No good purpose is served
in requiring them to register.
NV atteation has been called by the Chi
nese Minister to the fact that the bill. a. il
stands, makes no provision for the transit
across the United States of Chinese subjects
now residing in foreign countries. | think
that this point may well claim the attention
of Congress in legislating on this subject.
THE LESSONS OF EXPERIENCE.
have said that good faith requires us to
suspend the immigration of Chinese laborers
for \ less period than twenty years. | now
add that good policy points in the same direc-
tion.
Our intercourse with China is of recent date.
Our first treaty with that power is not yet 40
wears old II is only y-since We acquired Cal
itornis and established great seat of COM
merce on the Pacific. that we may be said to
have broken down the barriers which fenced
in thar ancient monarchy. The Burlingame
Treaty naturally followed. Under the spirit
which inspired il many Chinese laborers came
10 the United States. No one can say that
the country has not profi:ed by their work.
They were largely instrumental in construct
ing the railways which connect the Atlantic
with the Pacific. This States of the Pacific
slope are full of evidences of their industry.
Enterprises profitable alike to the capitalist
and To the laborer of Caucasian origin would
have been dormant but for them. A time
has now come when il is supposed they are
not needed, and when il is thought by Con.
gress and by those most acquainted with
the subject that it is best TO try 10 get along
without them. There may, however, be
other sections of the country where this spe-
cies of labor may he advantageou,ly employed
without interfering with the laborers Of our
own race. In making the proposed expert
ment it NAV be the part of wisdom as well as
of good faith TO fix the length of the expert
mental period with reference to this fact.
Experi, nee has shown that the trade of the
East is the key to National wealth and in.
hnence. The opening of China TO the com
merce of the whole world has benefited no
part of IL more than the States of our own
Pacific slope. The State of California, and
its great maritime port especially, have
reaped enormous advantages from this source.
Blessed with an exceptional climate, enjoying
an unrivalled harbor. with the riches of a
great agricultural aud mining State in its
rear, and the wealth Of the whole Union
pouring into u over It's lines OF railway, San
Francisco has before il an incalculable future
il GU. friendly and amicable relations with
Asia remain undisturbed. II needs no argu-
ment to show that the policy which we now
propose to adopt must have direct tendency
to repel Oriental nations from and to drive
their trade and commerce into more friendly
hands. IL may be that the great and para
mount interest of protecting our labor from
Asiaiic competition justifes us in perma-
nent adoption of this policy. But it is wiser
in the first place TO make a shorter expert
menf. with a view hereafter of maintaining
permanently only such features as time and
experience may commend.
l transmit herewith copies of the papers re-
laiing to the recent treaty with China, which
accompanied the confidential message of
President HAYES TO the Senate Of the 10Th Of
January, 1881, and also n copy Of memo
randum respecting the act herewith returned,
which was handed to the Secretary of State
by the Chinese Minister in Washington.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Executive Mansion, Washington, April 4,
1882