The Washington critic., 1886-03-31
WASHINGTON, MARCH 81, 1886.
TIE CnINEsE QUESTION.

The memorial of the anti Chinese
State Convention OF California, pre-.
scented in Congress this week, is Wig
orous document. 1t was written by
committee of which ex-senator Sargent
and Hon. John +. Swift, one of the
commissioners who negotiated the sup
Elemental treaty with China in 1880,
were members. The people Of the
States of California, Nevada, Oregon
and Colorado and of the eight Terri
tories, are substantially unit in their
opposition to further Chinese immigra
ton; and they believe that the intro
duction of Coolie labor under servilc
contracts into the United States can
only be prevented by the entire cessa-
tion of this immigration. So respect.
able number of citizens as the entire
population of four States and eight
Territories are entitled to Il respectful
hearing.
The Congress has high duty top per
form, which it ought to enter upon
with alacrity. There are many who
honestly believe that 1t is illiberal and
unjust to exclude the people of any
country who may choose to cast their
lot among us. Others there are who
only affect to entertain humane and
philanthropic feelings on this subject
because to them it is matter of gain.
BE il remembered that the slave trade
was defended on the ground that it was
benevolent thing to Christianize the
African.
On the other hand, our nation is in
disgrace because of violence done upon
the persons of Chinese laborers. No
cause can make friends that resorts to
crime. The. wrongs done to China
men are their strongest advocates at the
East. The rioters who maltreat them
should be looked upon on the Pacific
coast as the most effective friends of
Chinese immigration. 1t is most diff
fcult for Congress to move in the
right direction so long as by so doing
il seems to be condoning wanton out.
RACES upon the subjects of friendly
power.
The Chinese government would at
the proper time, and after suitable
reparation has been made for the fol-
lies and crimes of anti i-Chinesc rioters,
readily consent 10 an entire prohibition
OF immigration into either country Of
the subjects or citizens of the other,
except for purposes of travel or trade.
There would be no oifense in this; no
injury to our commercial relations.
But our own Government would have
TO be in earnest about it, which here
toiore 1t has not been. The treaty of
1850 was tardily made, and the first
bill passed in pursuance of it to restrict
immigration was vetoed at the request
of the Chinese Minister. The existing
law, having been first consented to by
that functionary, was approved by
President Arthur. 1t has been feebly
inforced The knowledge OF these
facts is in part the cause of the anti
Chinese disturbance.
1t is time for u careful examination
of the disease and the application of a
remedy, Either the immigration must
cease or there must be standing army
-, a.. and eI.%efic coast. The President is
smistaken in his assurance to Con gress
that only aliens were engaged in the
recent outbreaks, and probably equally
mistaken in saying that all the Chinese
assaulted were here in pursuance of a
treaty. The Northwest is infested by
swarms of them, who come over the
British line, in violation of the latest
law enacted pursuant to the latest
treaty. Investigateit, gentlemen of the
House and Senate. Facts are great
aids in forming just conclusions.