Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-02

Picnipotentiary and to his expressed sat
isfaction.
In 1886, as appears in tho documents
heretofore referred to, the. Chinese For
eign Office had formally proposed TO our
Minister the strict exclusion OF Chinese
laborers from the United States with
limitxtioa, and had otherwise and more
definitely stated chat no term whatever
for the exclusion was necessary for the
reason that China would OF Itself take
steps 30 prevent its laborers from coming
10 the United States
In the course Of the negotiations that
followed suggestions from the same
quarter led 10 the assertion in behalf OF
the United States OF the term OF thirty
years, and this term, upon the repre-
sensations of the Chinese Plenipoten-
tiary, was reduced to twenty years, and
was finally so agreed upon.
Artk 10 II. was wholly of Chinese origi-
nation, and to that alone owes ITS pres
ence in the treaty.
And il is here pertinent to remark that
everywhere in the United States laws for
collection OF debts are equally available
to all creditors, without respect TO race,
sex, nationality. or place Of residence,
and equally with the citizens or
subjects Of the most favored ma
tons and with the citizens OF the
United States recovery can be had II
any court of Justice in the United States
by a subject Of China, whether of the
l8boring OF any other class. No disability
accrues from non residence of the PLAIN
tiff, whose claim can be enforced in the
usual way by him or his assignee or at
torney in our courts Of justice. IN this
respect it cannot be- alleged that there
exists the slightest discrimination against
Chinese subjects, and it is a notable fact
that large trading firms and companies
and individual merchants and traders OF
that nation are profitably established at
numerous points throughout the Union.
in whose hands every claim transmitted
by an absent Chinamsn Of just and law
full nature could be completely enforced.
The admitted and paramount right
and duty Of every Government to ex-
clude from its borders all elem ents Of
the foreign population which for any
reason retard its prosperity or are detfl-
mental to the moral and physical health
OF its people must be regarded es re-
cognized canon OF international law ani
intercourse. China herself has not dis
sented from this doctrine, but has, by
the expressions TO which / have referred,
led us confidently to rely upon such ac-
ton on her part IN cooperation with us
rs would enforce the exclusion Of CHI
nese laborers from our country.
This cooperation he's not, however,
been accorded us. Thus from the UnoX-
pected and disappointing refusal OF tine
Chinese Government to confirm the acts
Of its authorized agent and to carry into
effect an international agreement, the
main feature Of which was voluntarily
presented by that Government for our
acceptance, and which had been the sub
ject OF long and careful delireration, an
emergency has arisen in which the Gov
eminent Of the United States rs called
upon TO act in self-defence by tie excr-
else of its legislative power. | cannot
but regard the expressed demand ON the
part Of China for re-eIamInat.0n and
renewed discussion of the topics so COM
pletely covered by mutual treaty stipu-
lstions as an indefinite p0stp0ncment
and practical abandonment OF the OBJ
jects we have in view, to which the 6oy-
eminent Of China may Justly be consld-
cred as pledged.
The lacis and circumstances which !
have narrated lead me, IN the perform
ance Of what seems to be my Official
duty. to JON Congress in dealing legl8Ia-
lively with the question of exclusion Of
Chinese laborers, III lieu Of further at
tempts to adjust it by international
agreement. but whileethus exercising
our undoubted right IN the interests Of
our people and for the general welfare Of
our country Justice and fairness seem to
require that some provision should be
made By act or joint resolution under
which such Chinese laborers as shall ac-
tual.y have embarked on then return 90
the United States before the passage of
the law this day approved aud are now on
their way may be permitted TO l8nd, pro-
vided they Laye duly and lawfully OBJ
tanned and shall present the certificates
heretofore issued permitting them to re
turn in accordance With the provisions OF
existing law.
Nor should our recourse TO legislative
measures of exclusion cause us to retire
from the offer We have made to indem-
nify such Chinese subjects Us have suf-
fered damage through violence IN re-
mote and comparatively unsettled por-
tons Of our country at the hands OF
lawless men. Therefore, l recommend
that without acknowledging our legal
liability therefor, bat because it was
stipulated in the treaty which has failed
70 take effect and in a spirit Of human
ity BETTING our nation. there be appro-
priated the sum of S276,6l9.75 payable
TO the Chinese Minister Of this capital
on behalf Of his Government a full IN
demn.ty for all losses and injuries sus-
tanned by Chinese subjects in the man
ncr and under the circumstances mem
toned. GROVER CLEVELAND.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Oct. l, 1888.