Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-10-03
THE FIELD CLEARED.

In this State and upon this coast there
really is and has been no politics in
the Chinese question. Both of the great
parties have been from time to time re-
bulled for delay in bringing the immigra-
ton Of Chinese to an end, but both have
labored in that direction in this State,
and perhaps quite as much progress was
made after all as was to be expected, in
the face of the misconception of the East.
We believe, however, that the record dis
closes, as We yesterday set out by detailed
citations, that the Republican party has
been most diligent in the matter of secur-
ing needed restrictive legislation.
There can be no question that il was the
pioneer in the matter. The earliest legis-
lation and attempted legislation upon the
subject originated with Republicans. The
first opposition to anti-Chinese legislation
was Democratic, and the only legislative
steps taken to promote Chinese immisra-
tion were also Democratic The very ear
liest action in Congress antagonistic to the
coolie invasion was Republican. Ger
tainly no Republican Governor of any
State advised rs did a Democratic Gov
ernor of this State, promotion and encour-
agement of Chinese immigration. On the
contrary, the first Republican Governor of
California, in his first message, warned the
people against the Chinese influx, and ad-
vised legislation to check it.
But all that is past-in the earlier years
Fe were not quick to the evils of the Chi
nese migration Eastward. We were de-
celved as to the true character of the
Chinaman, and only after years of bitter
experience did we awake to the truth.
From that time the Pacific coast Congress
sienal delegations have been a unit on this
subject. By their persistence even Mr..
Cleveland, who one time thought that the
Chinaman might "be Christianized and
made good citizen" has been converted
by the perseverance of the Pacific coast and
brought to the point of approving re-
striction bill, though one Just as strong.
and in many respects better, was passed by
Republican Senate in 1856. after being
favorably reported by General Harrison,
but on being sent to the House it was
smothered by Mr.. Belmont, Democrat
and Chairman of the Foreign Relations
Committee.
We must expect that the Democratic
party will do its utmost to make capital
out of the Presidents approval of the
Scott bill, and will ignore the fact that
whatever credit is to be accorded for
granting the petition of the people of the
Pacific section must be equally shared by
the Republican Senate. Yet the Demo-
Gratis will claim, do now indeed claim, in
the words of the San Francisco Alta. that
the new law is Democratic victory p'
Victory over what? Certainly not over
the Republican party; certainly not over
the Republicans of California. Possibly
it is victory over the Democratic vote in
the Senate to reconsider the vote by which
the bill was passed; possibly it is a victory
over the pioneer Democrats who urged
legislation to promote Chinese immi-
grafton.
All this cry of Democratic victory" is
insincere; it is whooped up" for cam
Paign purposes; it is intended to obscure
the real issues of the campaign: First
Whether American industries and Ameri-
can labor shall be protected, or thrown
into unequal competition with the cheaply-
conducted industries and the ill-paid, i'll
fed and low-conditioned labor of Europe.
Second-Whether black free men at the
South shall be longer deprived of their
rights at the ballot-box, and the reign of
the slayeocracy in new guise be con-
tinued in the land and the North and its
industries be put under the old heel.
While the people of the coast, irrespec-
tive of party faith and attachment, are
gratified at the final enactment of an ex
elusion law that it is believed will be
effective, and while to the Republican
Senate that made such law possible and
Democratic President who signed it, due
credit is given, let it be remembered that
this ends the Chinese question in its rela-
tion to politics-if any it really had. 1t
is now out of the campaign. Exclusion is
an accomplished fact so far as passing a
law makes it so. The matter drops out of
sight as political value, and Mr. Cleve-
land and the principles he represents, and
General Harrison and the faith for which
he nobly stands, are before the coun-
try upon issues clearly defined. 1t will be
the part of wisdom to retire the first from
Office and install the latter in his stead. 1t
viii be simply self-protection for the wage
earners Of the country to cast their ballots
for the standard-bearer of the Republican
party and against the ins;dious designs and
ardent wishes OF foreign powers.
THE CASE OF TRECKEE.
VI. l. -