Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-07-03
Warrsson AND rho Cbineso.

| New York Press: The stasement that
Benjamin Harrieon, while member of
the senate, favored the policy of allow
ing unrestricted immigration of Chinese
laborers to this country is downright
lie. Misrepresentation and slander. the
ancient weapons ofmalicIous Democracy,
having failed for lack OF material in the
upright, honorable life of the republican
candidate, the falsehood mill has been
started; and false meaning attached to
his vote upon the Chinese immigration
bill, which was enacted in 1882,
a lie like this must be stamped upon
at oncs, for otherwise it might wrong
fully prejudice many voters egainst Mr..
Harrison, and "mark how plain a talen
| Wall destroy these venders OF csmpaien
falsehoods. AS early as 1880 the Burlip-
game treaty WAS felt by men OF ali
parties to have been q mistake. Ia was
negotiated under miseonception. and
the Chinese problem, uncontempleted
at t5e time OF it's execution, was felt 10
be new factor, lmpairlpg the validity
| OF the original international agreement
10 reetify the unconscionabie agree
ment by which the United States was
| being Hooded with degenerate race,
the Chinese restriction bill was proposed,
In other words, having been beaten in
| blind trade, it was proposed that the
| United States, being the stronger party.
should violate its treaty obligations with
| China without going through the dipIo~
mat1c tormalIties which should precede
the resembling OF a treaty.
President Arthur, Benjamin Harrison,
and hosts OF Others felt that such a
course was inconsistent with the dignity
and honor cs our republic. AS senator,
Mr.. Harrison consequently voted against
the BILL, not because he disspproved OF
Its object. but simply because be wished
to Keep inyiolate the treaty obligations
OF our country. His own words bear
witness to the truth OF this statement.
"Will you,' he asked. addressing the
supporters OF the measure, "peYsiss in
passing this law, and trampling upon
our treaty obligations If you find that il
is inconsistent With the existing treaty ?'
And to this question the advocates on
the bill did not dare TO make answer.
NO other eoufse was open to man
who believed the object sought to be
attained could be best brought about BY
diplomacy. His view was shared hy
PRESIDENT Arther, who vetoed the twenty
year bill and only reluctantly signed the
ten year restriction. President Oleve-
land and Secretary Bayard are OF the
same opinion, as is shown by the new
Chinese treaty, which they have neRo-
tiated to cure the evil TO which Bsnia.
min Harrison objected.
The question is at rest now, bnt MANY
believe that our country was guilty of q
breach of treaty obligation In accom-.
plishing by law what should have been
the task of diplomacy. The problem,
however, was grave one and we cut
a gordian knot by force. The press has
always been heart and soul opposed to
the immigration of the hordes OF Asia
tic outcasts, who bring ruin and desoIa-
tlon wherever they enter into oompeti-
tion with honest workingmen. Their
habits contarainste the men OF the ooun.
try, and their miserable competition
destroys the legitimate profits Of labor.
Benjamin Herrison Is opposed 10 the
immisrstion of Chinese labors. He
would have them stay IN the land which
has suffered them to so degenerate. That
he voted as he did is evidence of high
minded regard for the honor of his coun-
try, and NOT Of any consent To the con-
tinued existence of this degraded race
in our free and happy country.