New-York tribune., 1886-02-27
An IRoNCLAD CHINESE BILL.
! MR.. MITCHELL oN IHE CONFLICT BETWEEN CIVIL
u AnInN ND HEArHENISM.


WAsUINGrON, Feb 26.-Mr Mitchell, Of
Oregon addressed the senate this morning the bill
recently Introduced by HIM 20 provide for the abroga-
ton OF all treaties permitting the immigration OF Chinese
TO the United states. Desperate cases IN medicine ana
surgery, Mr. Mitchell said. required heroic treatment
40 was II with the body polite. When asSaied by e1-
traordiunry evil when mcnaced by rapidly Advancing
vice. pcrins the best interests and most cherished in-
sttutions the time for emporsng hid passed and the
amenities usually observed toward foreign powers would
have to give way heroic and aggressive measures
as were necessary the principle OF scfreserTauoh
An OWL OF the character referred TO was parayzng the
rights OF the aborng class IN this country The people
Of the whole Pacific Coast to-day suffering from
the presence Of large numbers OF uncean non asslm
tng and pagan race. To eradicate the scOurge heroic
treatment would be necessary. Tho means OF relief
could not properly be awaited Of while preserving the
present treaty supulatOns with the Chinese Govern
ment The people OF this Republic, through Congress
and the Executive should remove the distractions by
nrst wpng out OF all treaties which recognize
the coming Of Chinese the United states, and then
absolutely prohibiting their coming except In the case
Of consular and diplomatic officials
In considering tho matter. Mr.. Mitchell said, two I'M
norapt questions arose. Had the United States the
right power To abrogate by act OF Congress- treaty
with foreign Nationi And II So did the magnitude OF
the evil TO bo romedled justify tho step proposed .
Courts lawyers ursrs and tho greatest statesmen OF
the land he sa not only conceded this power but con
Cured the duty Of Congress to abrogao treaty
whenever 1t WAS perncious or ruiuous to the state
Although tho Constitution made treaties part OF the
supreme of the Land there existed, preemnent
the supreme right OF the Government to exercise.
through Congress- any constitutional power neces-
sary for the common defence AMI general welfare
MI Mitchell argued this question at considerable length
quoting from the decisions OF the Supreme Court the
opnOns OF the Attorney Gtnerals and various acts or
Congress beginning with the act OF 1898, aOrog1tng the
treaty with France which act declares that the United
atpa nrpD Df
OF the treaties, etc. heretofore concluded be-
tho United States ana FrAoe. anu tnat the same
shall not hencefOrth Oblig itOry the Government
MIR Mitchell read a number OF newspaper articles TO
show that the recent antChnese disturbances IN the
West were the work of IN irresponsible or hoodlum
crment They were the voice of honest labor the wall
of ind gnant toll, struggling for life IN the unequal con-
with seryile labor. As TO the remedy DecessAry Mr.
Mitchell insisted that restriction acts or Congress woui9
do They had been delusye In the past and would
prove In the future Craft evasion and perjury
remedy was TO DO found complete and unequvocal IN
the bill by him which absolutely smut OH all
In conclusion, he said "This bill. unlike restrc-
tion acts, Ia not elastic; II Is absolutely lronclad
IL leaves nothing to construction; 1t Is conclusive II
Is not open the objection OF being liable TO have
its vitality sapped or Its efficiency destroyed py
Judicial or decision No delicate questions
to conflict between act and treaty are lct open or
construction or determination by either court OF depart
mcnt The conflict that Is being waged on ths supect
OF the Asatic occupation Of country, is conflict
for supremacy American soil between nteiigeht on
degraded labor the order OF the MongOl con
nict between morality ami vice, order ana anarchy
Amerlcansm aud Asianlsu conflict between civiliza-
ton and heat thenism, Cn istanty aud pagansn con
nlCt between TWO OppOsiug FORCES III al
ulars Stimulating and repeant when considered Ia
the relation Of the other aud the one or the
other OF which must ana Will ultimately ana necessarily
be driven to the wall nor II require any prescience
to determine the result OF the contest If the United
States Government either stands suney ny anu uOes
nothing or what is hut little effective for good.
simply attacks tho advancing army OF invaders with
wooden swords and paper bullets under preenee OF con
forming TO treaty spuiatons and sustaining diplomatic
relations"