St. Landry democrat., 1886-03-13
THE CHINESE QUESTION.

of Outrage Against the Chinese in TIL.
West, and Discusses Our Treaty ObIiga
| tions.
WASHINGTON, March 3.-The Presi.
! dent Yesterday sent to Congress mes
sage treating on the Chinese outrages in
Wyoming. After referring to the re-
strictlve legislation of 1880, the Presiden,
says that the condition of the Chinese
question in the Western States and Ter
ritories is, despite this restrictive legisla-
ton, far from being satisfactory. The
recent outbreak in Wyoming Territory,
where numbers of unoffending Cinnamon,
indiSb utablv within the protection of the
treaties and the law, were murdered by
mob, and the still more recent threat
ened outbreak of the same character in
Washington Territory, are fresh in the
minds of all, and there is apprehension
lest the bitterness of feeling against the
MongOlian race on the Pacific slope may
find vent in similar lawless demonstra-
tons All the power of this Government
should he exerted to maintain the amplest
good iva, toward China in the treatment
of these men, and the n1exible sternness
of the law in brngin" the wrongdoers to
Justice should be insisted upon.
"Everv effort" continued the Presi-
dent. s'has been made by this Govern
ment to prevent these violent outbreaks,
and to aid the representatives of China in
their investigations of these outrages;
and it is bnt just to say that they are
traceable to the lawlessness of men not
citizens of the United States engaged in
competition with Chinese laborers Race
ciudice is the chief factor in originating
these disturbances. and it exists in a large
part of our domain, ieopariizing our
domestic peace and the good relation
ship which We strive to maintain with
China"
Referring to the Rock Springs outbreak
in the light that all citizens are entitled
protection whether stipulated by treaty or
not. the PresidenS remarks: "The facts
which so far are not controverted or af-
fected by any exculpatorv or mitigating
testimony, show the murder of number
of Chinese subjects in September last at
Rock Springs, the wounding of many
others. and the spoliaton of the property
of all when the unhappy survivors had
been driven from their habitations. There
is no allegation that the victims, by any
lawless or disorderly act on their part,
to bring about collision; on
the contrary,it appears that the law-abid-
ing disposition of these people, who were
sojourners in our midst under the sane
ton of hospitality and express treaty OBJ
legations, was made the pretext for the at
tack upon them. This outrage upon law
and treaty engagements was committed by
a lawless mob. None of the :ggressors,
happily for the national good fame, ap-
pear by the reports to have been citizens
nf the United States. They were aliens,
engaged in that remote district as mining
aborers, who became excited against the
Chinese lahorers, as it would seem, be- |
cause of their refusal to join them in
strike to secure hi CHER wages. Were |
there no treaty in existence, referring to
The rights of Chinese subjects? did they |
come hther rs all other strangers who |
resort to this land of freedom, |
If self-government and of laws, here |
)caceably to win their bread and to live |
heir lives, there can be no question that |
hey would he entitled still to the same !
measure of protection from violence, and |
he same free forum for the redress of |
heir grievances as any other aliens"
Discussing article 8 of che treaty the |
President says: "This article may be
leld to constitute special privilege for
Chinese subjects in the United States AS
with other alenS-nOt tIfat it
:reates any peculiar rights which others do
lot share, but because. in case of i'll treat
nent OF the Chinese in the United States
his Government is bound to exert all it's
'oWer to devise measures for their pro-
ection.'"
Coming down to the question of dam
ges, which the Chinese Minister in his
with Secretary Bayard
lams, the President denies that there is
ny expressed or implied obligation in
he treaty or international law which
you'd require the United States to in
emnlfy these Chinese for losses sus-
aimed. While holding this view, the
resident says: "In view of the pal
able and discredtable failure of the su-
lorities of Wyoming Territory to bring
, justice the guilty parties, or to as
ure to the sufferers an impartial forum
which to seek and obtain compenSa-
on for the losses which these
objects have incurred by lack of
olicc protection land considering further
re entire absence of provocation or con-
'ibutlon on the part of the victims, the
Xecutlve would bring the matter to the
enevolent consideration of Congress in
rider that that body in it's high discretion
ay direct the Government in aid of in
ocent and peaceful strangers whose mall
eatment has brought discredit upon the
'untry; with the distinct understanding
lat such action is no wise to be held as
precedent; is wholly gratuitous and is
sorted to in spirit of pure generosity
ward those who are otherwise help
S."
THE DOMINION.