Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-31
The Auti.Chiuese Bill.

eve of becoming law, pubic opinion IS
inclined to consider the step carefully
before il is too late. In other words,
apprehension is generally being aroused
lest in prohibiting the immigration and
naturalization of Chinese-thereby plac-
ing the MOngolians in different position
from all other nations-a serious blow
may be struck at what has always been
regarded as one of the most important
principles underlying the republic, viz:
that this is a country where representa-
tives of all nations may find political
freedom, and enjoy to the utmost pro-
lection for life and property, and in the
pursuit of happiness.
While this bill was under discussion,
we, on more than one occasion, express
ed disapproval over its sweeping pro-
visions. Not only is it, to our mind, in
the nature of violation Of treaty obliga-
tons, but it is certainly opposed, at least,
to the spirit if not the actual letter of the
organic law of the R public. When the
Constitution declares that Congress
shall have power ito establish an uni
form rule of naturalization" it clearly
never intended that such rule should be
so entirely ununiform as to provide for
the naturalization Of all other
foreigners except Chinese. Nor is
this all, but most certainly when
it is so specifically declared
in the fifteenth amendment to the Con-
stitution that ''the right of citizens to
vote shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States, or by any State, on
account of race, color or previous condi
ton of servitude, it is clearly manifest
that the spirit of that instrument is op-
posed to anything like race discrimina-
ton. Indeed, it has been but very few
years since the halls of Congress were
made daily 10 resound with exceedingly
high-lown rhetorical f1ourishes on this
very subject, and no opportunity was
spared to convince the world that we were
the most sympsthizing, generous and
virtuous of all the nations and countries
of the globe. Now, however, because
of hue and cry raised in one section of
the country against the Chinese, and by
the very men who formerly were so
blatant in denouncing race discrimins-
tons in the South, all these bombastic
and highly virtuous expressions of
sympathy for the poor and oppressed OF
the earth must be regarded simply as
words uttered only for effect, and what
has heretofore been boosted of as one of
the most commendable principles of our
system of government, is to be finally
discarded.
AS serious as may be the consequences
of this Chinese prescription in the fu-
ture, however, in so far as it may affect
all kinds of foreign immigration and
citizenship in the United States, this is
not by any means the most serious
aspect of the case. The objections to
the bill which we have cited are some
what sentimental, but, what is Of far more
! importance in these days, there is a de
cidedly practical view Of the question to
be taken. Our trade with China amounts
to many hundreds Of million dollars per
annum, and to secure this trade we have,
in common with other countries, put
forward strenuous exertiOns. Now we
propose to try and hold on TO this valua-
BILE Chinese commerce, yet we deliber-
ately insult the whole Chinese nation by
telling it that while we extend cordial
invitations to other peoples Of the earth
to come in and partake freely of the rich
feast of universal liberty and happiness
which we have prepared, the
Chinese alone are not wanted,
and will be excluded. 1t is
not to be presumed that this will
commend us to the good will of the &C.
Iestial Empire, or that it will incline that
government to listen favorably to our
friendly overtures when we are solicit
| ing It's trade. To the contrary, other and
rival nations for the same trade will hold
this out against us, and, IN consequence,
the Chinese Government will naturally
come to look upon the American people
as pre- eminently the enemies OF its
people. and will take great pleasure in
retaliating upon us in every way posi-
bic, for the discourtesy and actual insult
with which we propose to treat them.
1t is not to be expected that they will be
willing to treat with US as friends when
we wish to secure favors from them,
and yet, when such favors are granted,
return them only with snubbing.
These are important matters to be
considered in connection with this
measure, though it is hardly to be
expected that Mr.. Arthur will veto the
bill in face of the large majority in Con-
gress by which it was passed. Should
he do so, however, while he would no
| doubt excite against him a storm of in
dignation from the San Francisco sand
lot orators, we believe that he would re-
ceive general commentator for his
nerve from the common sense and con-