The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-03-30

,r safety but human rights having
their origin in the moral law, beyond
The reach of any government or any
alliance, holy or unholy, of govern
ments. We have been wont to affirm
that there were some things that Gov
ernment had no right whatever to do,
and that the undertaking of them by
any government was Of itself good
cause for its overthrow. We have
claimed that the assertion
of this doctrine in behalf of that
largest proportion of mankind whose
destiny compels them to labor for
their support was our conspicuous dis
tinrtion and crowning glory.
Mr.. Webster, in his Grafton OF June
II. 1S43, al the completion of Bunker
Hill monument. after stating as one
of the four distinguished elements of
American system of the government
Equality Of rights" proceeds:
Few tnrirs are more inviting or more fit for philo
sophicsl discussion than the effect npon the hapni-
nrincinles or in other words, the influence OF the
New World upon the old.
After mentioning some Of the nat
ural productions which America has
given to mankind in partial repay
ment Of her debt to Europe for sci
ence and art, laws, literature and
manners he proceeds:
bee use they arr Of moral and pniticsl character
onn nm % m Sf nn
cspahs Of maintsnng g"vsrnmsnts are ah" to Sc
e r a has Me n snTnn
is called lahOring classic them
M h to ana make them IT t. act part in
She holds ont an example thousand times more en-
Of the humsn racs who are born without
hereditary fortune or hereditary rank.
Nothing is more in conflict with the
gpnins of American institutions than
legal distinctions between individuals
based upon race or occupation. The
trainers of the Constitution believed
in the safety and wisdom of adherence
TO abstract principles. They meant
that their laws should make no dis
tinction between men except such as
were required by personal conduct and
character The prejudices of race, the
last of human drlnsions to be over
come, has bann fonnd until latelv in
our constitutions and statutes. md has
left its hidpous and ineradicable stains
on our history in crimes committed
hv every generation. The negro. the
Irishman, and the Indian have in
turn been IFS victims here. as the Jew
and the Greek and the Hindo in Eu-
rope and Asia. But it is reserved for
MS at the present dav. for the first
time. to pnt into the public law Of the
world and into the natio, al legislation
of the foremost of republican nations
distinction inficting npon large
class of men a degradation by reason
of their race and by reason Of their
occupation
The bill which passed Congress two
years ago and was vetoed bv Presi-
dent Hayes. the treaty of 1881, and
the bill now before the Senate. have
the same origin and are parts of the
same measure Two years ago it was
proposed TO exclude Chinese laborers
from our borders. in express disregard
of our solemn treaty obligations. This
measure was arrested hv President
HAYES. The treaty Of 1881 extorted
from unwilling China her consent
that we might regulate, limit. or sus-
pend the coming of Chinese laborers
into this conntry-a consent of which
it is proposed by this bill to take ad-
vantage. This is entitled "a bill to
enforce treaty stipulatlons with
China"
1t seems necessary is discussing the
statnte briefly to review the history
nf the treaty. First let me say that
the title Of this bill is deceptive. There
is no stipulation of the treaty which
the bill enforces. The bill where it i:
not inconsistent with the compact
only avails itself of privilege which
i. that comedies. China only relaxed
the Burlipgame treaty so far AS tt
regulate. limit, or suspend the COM
ing or residence" of Chinese laborprs
but not absolutely to prohibit it" The
treaty expressly declares ''such ii ita
tion norsuspension or shall be reasonable.
Bnt here is proposed statute which
for twenty years. under the severes
penalties. absolutely inhibits the com
ing of Chinese laborers to this coun
try. The treaty pledges MS not abso
lutely to prohibit it. The bill is in
tended absolutely to prohibit it.
The second article of the treaty il
this:
Chinese subjects. whether proceeding to the Unt-'
rio.ity together with their bodv and household
wants ard Chin.se lshorers who are now in III. Uni
own free will and accord and shall he acrnr a tn.
accorded the Citizens and u the mos
favored nations.
Yet 1T is difficult to believe that the
complex and cumbrous passport sys-
tenn provided in the last twelve sec.
tions of the bill was mott intended as
an evasion Of this agreement. Upon
what other nation. favored or not. is
snch burden imposed? This is the
execution of promise that they may
come and go ''of their own free will. y
In the beginning of the negotia-
tions the Chinese plenipotentiaries in
formed those of the United States that
Last year the fol e On Office consented
to enter upon negotiations with Mr..
Seward to prohibit the four classes of
cody laborers. criminals, prostitutes,
and diseased persons from going
thither.'' and that 'they are now
ready to discnss further the PROPOSE
tion of Mr.. Seward, with the hope
that an equitable solution NAV be
reached" Our commissioners replied l.:
We feel 1t best to inform your exeeency that these
PROPOSITIONS in wise represent The wish purpose
Ofth" United States Government. and that the
pointment of a minister and our presence here
with full negotiate ought to be 10 suf-
cient evidence of what value you should attach to
h representations. We entirely unaware of
authority or approval given by the Govrrnmsnt
of United States to the proposal submitted on his
ras,,",st tbility Of Mr. Seward to the Chinese
Government,
At the conference of Wednesday.
October 13, the commissioners on both
sides in substance agree that the Bur-
lingame treaty permits unrestricted