Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-05
Harrison and the Chinese

Harrison and the Chinese.
New York Press: The statement that
Benjamin Harrison, while a member of
the Senate, fovored the policy of allowing
unrestricted immigration of Chinese
iaborers into this country is downright
lie. Misrepresentation and SANDER, 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 been
started; and false meaning attached to
his vote upon the Chinese immigration
bill, which was enacted in 1882.
lie like this must OF course be STAN o.
ed upon at once, for otherwise it might
wrongfully prejudice many voters against
Mr.. Harrison, and ''mark! how plain a
tale" will destroy these vendors of cam
,.ign falsehoods. AS early as 1880 the
Burlingame treaty was felt by men of all
parties to have been a mistake. 1t was
negotiated under a misconception, and
the Chinese problem, uncontemplated at
the time of its execution, was felt TO be
a new factor, impairing the validity of
the original international agreement.
To reotify the unconscionable agree
ment by which tie United States was be-
ing flooded with q degenerate race, the
! Chinese restriction bill was proposed. In
other words, having been beaten in
blind trade, it was proposed that the Unit
ed States, being the stronger party,
China without going through the diplo-
matte fornalities which should precede
the resembling of treaty.
President Arthur, Benjamin Harrison,
and hosts of others felt that such course
in CT he 4 bo
Or of our Republic. As Senator, Mr.. Har-
rison consequently voted against the bill,
not because he disapproved of it's object,
but simply because he wished to keep in
violate the treaty obligations of our coun-
try. His own words bear witness to the
| truth of the this statement: evil you,"
he asked, addressing the supporters of the
measure, "persist in passing this law, and
trampling upon our treaty obligations if
| you find that it is inconsistent with the
existing treaty?" And to this question
| the advocates of the bill did not dare to
make answer.
No other course was open to man who
| believed the object sought to 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 shown
by the new Chinese treaty, which they
have negotiated to cure the evil which
Benjamin Harrisoa objected.
The question is at rest now, but many
believe that our country was guilty of a
breach of treaty obligation in accom- plish-
ing by law what should have been the
task of diplomacy. The problem, how
ever, was grave one and we cut gordian
knot by force. The press has always
been heart and soul opposed to the immi-
grafton of the hordes of Asiatic outcasts,
who bring ruin and desolation wherever
they enter into competition with honest
workipgmen. Their habits communicate
the men of the country, and their miser-
able competition destroys the legitimate
| profits of labor.
Benjamin Harrison is opposed to the
immigration CT Chinese laborers. He
would have them stay in the land which
has suffered them to so degenerate. That
be 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 rae in
our free and happy country.