Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-03-19
T FOR JOHN.

President Clevcland's Messa &c D~enouncfnG
the War Against the Chinese-Hc Thinks
the Victims are without Legal Redress
but Suggests That They BE Reimbursed
by ii Bounty Measure.
WASHINGTON, March 3.--The President YES
tcrdny sent to Congress 81 message treuting on
The Chinese outrnges in Wyoming. After re.
fcrring. TO the restrictive legislation of 1850
the President says the condition of the Chi
nese question: in the Western, States and Ter
is far from being satisfactory. The recent
outbreak in Wyoming Territory, where
numbers of unoffending Chinnmcn. indis-
putnbiy within the protection OF the treaties
and the law. were murdered by a mob. and
the still more recent threatened outbreak OF
the same character III Washington Territory
are fresh in the minds of of al, and there nf
feeling against the Monaghan race on the
Pacific slope may find vent in similar lnwlcss
demonstrations. All the power or this COY
umplest good faith toward China, in the treat
ment Of these men. and the int1cxlble stern
ness OF the law in bringing the wrong-doerst to
Justice should be insisted upon.
Every effort has been made by this Coy
eminent to prevent these violent, outbreaks
and to aid the representatives OF emma IN
Their invest: gatiou of these Outrages. and it
is but just to say that they are traceable to
the lawlessness of men not citizens OF the
United States and who are engaged in compe'
tit on with Chinese .laborers. Race prejudice
is the chief factor in originating these dis
turbances. aud it exists III a large part of our
domain, jeopardizing our domestic peace and
the good relationship we strive to maintain
with Oh ma"
Reforming to the Rock Spring outbreak in
the light that all citizens are entitled to pro
the President remarks: 1.-The facts which SO
far are nc. controyerted Or affected by any
exculpatory or mitigating testimony, SHOW the
September last at Rock springs, the wound:
ing of many others and tho spoilation Of
the property of al! when the unhappy sur
vivors had been driven from their habita.
tons. There is no allegation that the victims
by any lawlcss or disorderly act on their part
contributed to bring about u collision: on tho
contrary, it appears that the law-abiding dis
position of the people who were sojourninR
in our mids st under the sanction of hospitality
and express treaty obligations was made the
pretcxt for the attack upon them. This outrage
upon law and treaty engagements was com
mitted by Il lawless mob None OF the ag.
g~ressors-happily for the National good fame
of the Uniited States. They were aliens en-:
gagged in the remotc district as mining labor
ers, who became excited against the Chinese
Inborers as it would ;a;d seem because ,t Of
to secure higher wages. We're there no
treaty in existence referring TO the rights
of Chinese subjects; did they come hither as
all other strangers who voluntarily resort to
tins land of freedom. of .seif-government
and of laws. here peaceably to win theil
bread and to live their lives. there can be no
4uOStioh tuuc NuCy "ooIo pC III Spth "
tho same measure of protection from violence
and the same free forum for the redress OF
their grievances as any other Aliens
which the Chinese Minister, in his correspond
ence with Secretary Bayard. claims. the
President denies that there is any expressed
or implied obligation in the treaty or inter.
n%ationai law which would require the United
losses sustained. While holding this view.
the Pres dent says that lin :,iew Of
the palpable and discreditable failure of
the authorities of Wyoming Territory to bring
to Justice the guilty parties Or to assure to
sufferers an impartial forum in which to seek
and obtain compensation for the losses
Of police protection; and considering fur.
thcr the entire absence of .provocation or
contribution on the part of the vlctims,'
the Executive should bring the matter to
the benevolent consideration Of Congress. in
order that that body.in its high discretion may
direct the bounty of the Government in aid Of
innocent and peaceful strangers whose NAL.
treatment has brought discrcdit upon the
country. with the distinct understanding that
such action is III no wise to be held us aprece.
dent: is wholly gratuitous, and is resorted to
in Il spirit OF pure generosity toward those
who are otherwise HELPLESS"