Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-06
DANGER AHEAD.

Inc puDllSneQ correspondence between
the Chinese Government and its repre-
sentative at Washington reveals that a
Chinese question adversely to Pacific coast
interests. Chinese officials, on informa-
ton furnished from the San Francisco
Consulate, declare that the stories of out
RACES upon Chinese on this slope have an
gered the Cantonese, and that they
threaten to retaliate upon Americans in
China. 1t is also intimated that unless
the Government Of the United States re-
spends afiirmatively to the demand of
China for damages, reprisals may be made
by China TO the injury of the property of
Americans in that country. All this is
possible. The Cantonese are an excitable
people. Doubtless the stories of outrages
upon their countrymen here have been
greatly exaggerated and much over-col-
ored. Such tales grow by attrition on the
long route to Canton. They will swell
still more by repetition among the Chinese,
whose hatred of foreign devils" only
slumbers, and will eagerly seize upon ex-
eUse for manifestation. OF course what
the Cantonese threaten may naFrren, but
we do not anticipate it, unless bad coun-
sells prevail here. It is possible, in that
event, that our people in China may
srher in property and loss of life. The
United States Government will,
of course, thus forewarned, take
every precautionary measure to pre-
vent such dire results. China we cannot
trust. Her patriarchs are cunning lot.
They will assume TO protect our people.
but will be conveniently and easily over
come by irresponsible" mobs, for whose
acts they will be content to answer in coin.
From brutal and wholly selfish point of
view, it may be said that such an outcome
would be "good for the anti-Chinese cause
here From moral and civilized posi-
ton, it would be infamous, even in con-
temptation. Doubtless the radical, rabid
and unreasoning agitators amongst us
would be willing to sacrifice the lives and
the property of the 600 Americans in
China in order to gain their points here.
If they can contribute to provoke con-
fiict, they will not hesitate moment to do
so. Fortunately such agencies are limited
in number, and not of irresistible influence.
At present they have a comparatively
small following. But if they are encour-
aged, openly or by silence, they will rap
idly swell, and the results may be of the
gravest character While, therefore, the
President and Mr. Bayard are wisely and
adroitly debating the case with China, and
doing Just what should be done to prevent
conflict, the people of California have a
duty to perform. Every man and woman
having the interests Of the State at heart,
and regarding the Chinese cause as mer-
itorious when kept within lawful bounds,
should exert his or her personal
influence in opposition to the reckless
spirit that is driving the Chinese from one
town to another, bundiing their property
out of their houses. and carting them
away despite their protests. Every law
abiding man and woman should be vigor-
Gus in exertion to condemn and restrain
the insane policy of dispossessing Chinese
residents by threats, menaces or any I'M
lawful methods. We cannot be rid of the
Chinese by any procedure of violence or
intimidation. We may not trade with
them; there is no moral or legal obliga-
ton to compel the people to buy of them.
They are here upon lawful sufferance, and
have no claim to the unwilling patronage
of the people. But they are entitled to
live here in peace until by law that right
is revoked, to be protected in their lives,
persons and property. To maltreat, vio-
lently dispossess or forcibly remove them,
or compel their going by threat or menace
is cowardly and destructive of the anti
Chinese cause. We are perfectly we'll
aware that a great many people who are
recognized as law-abiding, peaceful and
honorable, have been engaged in these