Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-02-26
The Correct Gospel.

First Congregational church, San
Franci~co, is both an eloquent di.
vine and deep thinker. He
learned to tell the truth before his
ordination and he still continues SO
to do so. His views on the Chinese
question, which are hereto appended
are worthy of reflection, and hence
we give them. Among many good
things he said lately to his congre.
CATION:
The pulpit, cannot be silent. The
day for s, neralizations by the pulpit
on important matters which affect
religion are past. 1t must show
equal interest with the press in af-
fairs of this character. Honest in
dignation fills our minds on reading
the average Eastern editorials on the
Chinese question, or on talking to
men on the other side of the Rock
les who have never seen the effects
produced here by the Chinese, but
who freely express opinions on the
subject. No one knows less about
the question than that class of men,
ard the information of the Eastern
editor concerning it is very meaGre.
We are not hoodlums nor disturbers
of the peace. The expressions OF
the press here challenge comparison
with the editorials of the East.
Self-protection is always justifi.
able. The principle is recognized
in dividuals, why not in commun-
tiles? The brute creation is endowed
with self-protection faculties. The
States of the Union are jealous of
their individual rights. One church
cannot interfere with another. The
principle of protection of self runs
throughout the whole moral and
phyical order.
Invasion is not immigration. Ii
you invite stranger to sit down and
share your meal, and he proposes
not only to do the carving, but to
take the entire meal to himself and
turn you and your family out OF
doors, leaving them hungry and
homeless, should you summit to it ?
Hospitality is one thing and usur-
patton another, and, no matter wha:
short.sigh:ed philanthrophists, mon
ey.seekins politicians and immigra-
ton companies may say, we have
had an nsurpation of our rights in
return for our hospitality. We are
entitled by oil laws, human and di-
vine, to protect ourselves. What
we insist upon is that American la
Dor shall be taken care of first. The
Chinaman lives very cheaply, his
lodging and food costing him q
merely nominal sum. He herds TO-
gether with crowds of others. He
has no family to support. He has
no care for American schools or
American policy. He imports his
goods, and his money is not used to
advance American institutions. Not
only this, but he has monopolized the
shoe, cigar and other important bus
inesses of the coast. His influence is
against American commerce. The
American citizen who lives by his
labor has children whom lie is try
ing to feed and cloth aud educate.
He is trying to live and rear his fam
lily according to the genius of Amer
icau institutions. There is an ire
concilable inequality in the picture
somewhere.
There is an injustice casting
its baleful influence on American
labor, my philosophical friend, my
maiden antagonist. You may bring
up the Biblical record as much as
you please, but so far you have
failed to point out the justice in this
state of affairs. You should study
this problem in the light of facts. Is
it according to Christian truth and
Christian policy to permit this usur-
patton of the privileges of American
labor? l insist that the American
laboror has the light to keep his
home sacred and his citiz .nship in
violate. He has the right to trade
with whom he chooses. Trade is a
great system for the relief of man
kind. 1t is system Of mutual
benefit. But trade that perpetuates
this Chinese evil is unworthy of con-
tidence. Trade to-day with China is
largely one sided, and we are com
PEELED to pay tribute 10 China her.
self. The voice of humanity and
Christian civilization demand that
American laLorers should be pro-
tected, and America must not be so
short-sishted as to place herself sec.
ond to any nation on earth.
Chinese immigration, and immi-
grafton in general, demand adjust
ment. Immigration, to be genuine,
must be disconnected from money
getting and barter and trade. I'm.