Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-30
SEND THEM EASTWARD.

If all the Chinese in California could
be to-day lawfully and humanely trans
ported to China, it would still leave the
impression upon the minds of the people
at the East, who deem these residents
desirable population, that an unwise thing
had been done. The sentiment so widely
entertained on the Atlantic side favorable
to the Chinaman, is attributable to two
causes. First, the prevalence Of the doc
trine that there resides in the foreigner
the inalienable right to come to this coun-
try without hindrance on our part; that
this is not only the home of the free, but
the absolute house of refuge for all whose
condition in other lands is one of hardship
or oppression. Secondly, that the China
man, by reason of his frugality, industry,
and initiative faculty, is desirable addi-
ton to our laboring population.
q : to the first actuating cause of friend
ship for the Chinese, it is clear that the
mists are rapidly rising from before the
American vision. The people in all sec
tions are coming to agreement that the
Republic may not only put limits upon,
but should restrict, undesirable foreign
immigration and determine the qualifca-
tions for admission. Thus, more attention
is being given now than ever before to the
inhibition of the immigration Of foreign
paupers, the criminal classes, the vicious
elements, etc, and that it should be ex-
tended to exclude all and any who are
REPRESENTATIVE, and by reason of their
methods Of life and doctrines entertained
antagonistic to free government, cannot
add to the material strength and prosperity
of the country, is a growing sentiment.
That it viii ripen into conviction and
action in the not far distant future. is a
belief widely entertained, and that has a
strong backing of public opinion that is
steadily augmenting.
Concerning the second cause for the pro-
Chinese sentiment, it is clear that is due
wholly to want of correct information
concerning the Monaghan in America.
Nothing short of demonstration by sensi-
bic proofs will convince the Eastern senti-
mentaliSt that the California estimate of
the Chinese is not the result of unholy
prejudice, low moral sense, and the in
huence of the vicious and hoodlum ele-
ments Of society. 1t appears not at all to
shake the faith of our Eastern friends, that
invariably those of their own people who
come to this coast and remain any consid-
cradle time, become convinced of the
justice and soundness of the California SEN
timent regarding Chinese as residents.
In this state of the case it would be the
right thing to do TO take steps to encour-
age the emigration of our Chinese to the
Atlantic seaboard. Whatever measures
might possibly be devised to that end we
are not now prepared to consider, but the
scheme is by no means impracticable. The
situation of the Chinese here is now one
of grave uncertainty. There is very
large unemployed class among them, and
the disposition to move Eastward is grow
ing stronger with them daily. Could
they be assisted, it is quite certain that
some thousands of them would move on
toward the rising sum- 1t is the natural
drift of the Mongolian current. 1t cannot
press further westward it seeks no new
lands to conquer; it preys only upon
civilizations, and enters no field not
already cultivated We are closing our
gates against further ingresS now if we
could settle FIVE thousand Chinese in
Philadelphia, five thousand in Boston, and
from i've hundred to thousand each in
Cleveland, Albany, Pittsburg Washington,
and 4 half dozen cities of like character
say in all twenty thousand-they would
be felt even among the millions of the
East, and would draw to them as many
more within brief period. The China
man has made the people of California
Observation-Disclosures in sentiment. II
set down in Eastern population centers
In groups sufficiently large, they will
convert the people of the East to like
belief. Remote as such desirable end
may now appear, it is by no means outside
OF the Possibilities, nor can it be said that
the encouragement of our Chinese to move
eastward is not a feasible plan. 1t would
accomplish two things-relieve us of that
we want not, and unity the sentiment OF
the country on the Chinese question-and
thus more speedily remove from the field Of
public thought and activity source of irri
tation, and an influence that retards progress
upon the Pacific slope
Here, then, is a suggestion-in tn,
rough-that may well engage the though
of the people. 1t involves no violence, .,
coercion, and in no respect can be objected
to by the people of the East--in fact, the
would be estopped completely from takinl
exceptions. 1t IS a better disposition Q
ansi-Chinese energy than inhuman ans
wholly indefensible methods of violenc
employed to drive Chinese from one 10
caliiy TO another, and finally to saddle tn
mas Of them upon San Francisco, Sacra
mento and other population centers. Il
the plan proposed there is room for an.