Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-07-05

New York Press: The statement that
Benz amin Harrison, while a member of
the Senate, fovored the policy of allowing
unrestricted immigration of Chinese
laborers into this country is downright
lie Misrepresentation and Islander, the
ancient weapons of malicious Democracy,
having failed for lack of material in the
upright, honorable life of the Republican
candidate, the falsehood mill has boon
started; and false meaning attached to
his vote upon the Chinese immigration
bill, which was enacted IN 1882.
A he like this must of course he stamp
ed upon at once, for otherwise IL might
wrongfully prejudice many yotcrs against
MIR. Harrison, and mark how plain a
tale will destroy these vendors Of onm
paign fnlsehoods. As early as 1880 the
BurlluEame treaty was felt 10y men of all
parties TO have been a mistake. II WAS
negotiated under misconcsption, and
the Chinese problem, uncontemplatod Mt
tho time of It's execution, was felt TO be
new factor impsiripg the validity of
the original international agreement.
To reotify the uucoLsciouable agree
meut by which tire United States was boz
ing Hooded with degenerate race, the
other words, having been beaten in a
blind trade, It Was proposed that the Unit
ed States, being the stronger party
should violate its treaty obligations with
China without going through the diplo-
matte formalities which should precede
the resembling of treaty.
President Arthur, Benjamin Harrison,
and hosts OF others felt that such a course
was inconsistent with the dignity and hon
or of our Republic. AsSenator, Mr.. Har
rison consequently voted against the bill,
not because he disapproyed of its object,
/ but simply because he wished TO keep ia
violate the treaty obligations of our ooun'
| try. His own words bear witness TO the
truth of the this statement "Will you,
he asked, addressing the supporters OF the
measure, "persist in passing this Law, and
trampling upon cur treaty obligations II
You find that it is inconsistent with the
existing trsatyfn And to this question
the advocates of the bill did not dare TO
make answer.
No other course was open 10 man who
believed the object sought 30 be attained
could be best brought about by diplomacy
His view was shared by President Arthur
who vetoed the twenty year bill and only
reluctantly signed the ten year restriction
President Cleveland and Secretary Bay
ard are OF the same opinion, as Is sh owl
by the new Chinese treaty, which they
have negotiated TO cure the evil which
BENJAMIN Harrisoa objected.
The question is at rest now, bat many
believe that our country WAS Railty of
breach OF treaty obligation IN accomplish
inc by law what should have been ihl
task Of diplomacy. The problem, how
ever, was grave one and we cut aRordiar
knot by force The press has away,
been heart and soul opposed to the immi
grafton OF the hordes Of Asiatic uutcas,a
Z who bring ruin and desolatiou whereye
, they enter into competition With hones
i workiugmen. Their habits contami0at
the men of the country, and their miser
K able competition destroys the Legitimate
g profits OF labor.
Benjamin Harrison Is opposed 90 M
I Immigration Of Chinese labOrerF ii
. would have them .'ay ia the land whicI
2 has suffered them 10 10 degenerate. Ina
b he voted RS he did is evidence OF hig
g minded regard for the honor Of has ooun
. try. and not Of any consent 70 the con
:, tinuea existence Of this degraded rae II
our free and happy country.