Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-04-07
OILY nPI,. l~Hi\GTON TER.
FRIDAY ENEG. APRIL Z, 1852
The Blow Falls.

Tie veto Of the Chinese bill, al
though not unexpected after the
attitude Of the Republican party had
been accurately determined by tue
vote III Congress, Is a calamity de-
pIored alike by members of both
| arties on this coast, where the sub
lect has been matter of thorough
consideration and the conclusions
arrived at have been verified 10y
practical results. The Eastern peo-
pie mainly view the situation from
what they believe to be humani-
tartan standpoint, and are ready to
endorse the action of the Chief Ex-
ecutive as they would any other pro-
position which might be theoretical
ly right. But the misfortune is,
that they now reason from false
premises. Our Government is
based upon the idea of freedom of
thought and action, and its perpetu-
ity depends upon an intelligent use
Of the privileges of citizenship. 1t
is strengthed or weakened just il
proportion as the standard of popu-
lar intelligence, exercised at the
ballot-box, is raised or lowered by
the physical condition and mental
energy of those who delegate sover
sign power to others specially
charged with the duties of govern
ment. The appeals of opponents of
the bill have been based upon the
assumption that tue Chinaman is
man and BROTHER" that he is ell
dowed with all the attributes which
may qualify him in the course of
time to perform the duties of Amer
lean citizenship; that he may after a
short probationary period, assimi-
late with our people; and that the ill.,
fux to our shores, no matter how
large, may be absorbed as is the i'm
migration from other countries.
Anybody who is at all acquainted
with Chinese character, can see the
fallacy of this position. It is not
necessary to study the history of
the Chinese Empire, extending back
over 1000 years, to realize a Ger
tainty that the habits and prejudices
of this people can become insrained
SO completely into their nature as to
make them as separate and distinct
from the Caucasian race, as would
possibly be the inhabitants of an
other sphere. 1t is seen in every
act; it controls every incentive; it
beams forth i'll every glance from
their almond-shaped eyes; and it
can no more be eradicated than can
the brain be dlssected and pruned
OF those particular lobes which
develop feticism. Wherever the
Chinaman goes, he takes with him
his religion, his habits, his preju-
dices, his nationality; nor are they
ever abandoned. With the sly cum
ming for which the race is proven
bial, one here and there may be
found who makes profession of &C
cepting our methods of civilization,
but he is seldom if ever sincere, and
only illustrates his wonderful pow-
ers of imitation, whenever money is
the object las it ever is) sought.
1t is not at all surprising that our
Eastern neighbors who still persist
in addressing letters to Washing
ton Territory, Oregon" should be
ignorant as we'll on this subject,
which has never been presented to
them for study. There are few who
realize the immensely of u nation
numbering $50 100000 of people
nine times the population of the
United States-conhned TO an en-
pire Of scarcely double the area of
our own country. There are many
who believe that being idolators
they are deficient in knowledge of
the arts and sciences, which they
have been taught to consider as So
quence of Christianity. There are
people who do not know that Chi
nese craftsmanship rivals that of
any nation on the globe, and that in
the famous Buriingame treaty the
whole of our national domain was
thrown open to China in exchange
for like privileges at two or three OF
the public ports of the Flowery
Kingdom. There are but few who
realize that excepting the telegraph
and its modifca lions and the steam
engine, there ID scarcely any great
invention of modern times which
has not been in use among the Chi
nese for many centuries. Their en-
gineering works are marvels of con-
ception and execution, and the
writings of Confucius challenge the
admiration as code OF social order
after the lapse of twenty-three hun
dred years during which it has been
known as the Book of Rites"
. The serious mistake made is in
forming an opinion of THE great na-
ton by the serfs sent to this coun-
try. The ruling class in China ara