Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-23
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
Another Way to Manage It-Measure II
with the Golden Rule.

with the Golden Rule.
1.-THE RECORD UNION, which maintains
views regarding the Chinese question OPP
posed to the tenor of the following letter,
believes in Free fair and full discussion of
the question. The following communica-
ton is therefore accorded space, for if the
position we adhere to, in common with the
mass of the people, cannot bear criticism
it should be overthrown. The writer of
the letter we know to be a worthy. calm
minded and valued citizen, and we can
vouch for the integrity of the nom de
plume he adopts, since he has taken pun
ishment as =" one of the boycotted "-EDs
RECORD UNION.
EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN All men are born
free and equal, and are endowed with GER
tain inalienable rights among which are
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"
l quote the above words. | mention this
fact, fearing some people might imagine
was the author of them. No, am not
They have been heard often in the Eastern
states, and perhaps there are some people
in California who have heard them before
Their meaning seems little difficult to
comprehend. A few years ago there were
very many people who thought that the
word white had been left out by some mis-
take, and that they did not include the
black man; bat wave of events-which
were neither intended nor foreseen by the
controllers OF public policy-swept over the
country and proved to the world that they
did include the black man. Now there
are many people on the Pacific coast who
seem to think they DO not include the
Cinnamon; but | believe the great United
American heart has accepted their full ini-
port US an eternal truth, which should
apply 10 every inhabitant of the United
States of North America; and there are
some among us with views 50 broad that
they would include every i:ihabitant OF the
world. | admire such men; bat The fact
that there are race anlipa;hics, which are
not conducive TO harmonious ccmmiushng
in intimate relationship, seems too palp-
able to ae DISPUTED and it is also
evident that difference in language is
a non-conductor IL perfect harmony,
and the question of whether it is
best or not to give the words their
broadest scope ! think may safely be left
to the wiser heads of our representatives in
Congress, who are not deficient N either
intellect, ability or patriotism, and who
are, perhaps, the peers of the statesmen of
any EdllOu Oh earth. slDbNr nave Already,
by treaty and enactments checked the in
fux from China, and some among us think
it would be equally wise to check the in
flux from some other countries. because
the advantage for lettering their condition
which our country offers to outside people
render us more liable to be overrun bv I'M
desirable foreigners than any other country
on the face of the globe, excepting Africa.
To any one high enough to take q birds
eve view of the events of the world this
might appear, at first glance like adopting
the policy OF some barbarous and half
civilized people which we, with some other
civilized nations, forced them at the mouth
of the cannon to abandon; but really the
circumstances are as entirely different as
the different ownerships of the animal
which gored somebody else's animal made
the case appear to the LAWYER when the
farmer stated it. in a story found in an
antique spelling-book. We are civilized.
and they have no right to feel antipathy to
us: while they are no more than half
civilized. according to our standard. and we
have a right to feel an,ipathy to them.
Opinions are influenced good deal by sell
fish interests. Those who can utilize Chi
nese labor or custom to their own benefit
can see no better reasons for keeping the
Chinese out OF the country than exist for
keeping other foreigners out: while those
who find them formidable competitors in
labor. trade or manufactures are quite posi-
tive that they ought to be kept out. Others,
probably more numerous than both these
classes, who do not feel their influence
either way. do not care particularly. only
their race antipathy and prejudice make
them prefer that the country should be
settled up by people whose habits and Gus
toms are not SO dissimilar to ours as to pre-
great and glorious nation as citizens. |
presume there are many who have never
felt any fear that our country would be