St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-02

gotiations that followed, Suggestions IRON
the same quarter led to the insertion, in be-
half of the United States. of a term Of
thirty years. and this term, upon the
representations of the Chinese plenipoten-
tiary. was reduced to twenty years ana
finally so agreed upon. Article III WAS
that alone owes its presence in the treaty.
And it is here pertinent to remark that every
where in the United States laws Tor the col
lection of debts are equally available TO all
creditors without respect TO race, sex, ma
tionality OF place of residence, and equally
with the citizens or subjects OF the most ID
vored nations and with the citizens OF the
United States recovery can be nad IN any
court of justice in the United States by sub
ject Of China, whether OF the labor1ng or any
other class. No disability accrues from non-
residence of a plaintiff, whose claim can pc
enforced in the usual way by him or py ms
assignee or attorney in our courts OF Justlce.
In this respect 1t cannot be alleged tnat tnere
exists the slightest discrimination against
Chinese subjects, and it is notable fact tnat
large trading firms and companies ana lndl-
vidual merchants and traders OF that natloh
are profitably established at numerous points
throughout the Union, in whose hands every
claim transmitted by an absent Chlnaman OF
just and lawful nature
COULD BE COMPLETELY ENFORCED.
The paramount right and duty OF every
government to exclude from It's DoarQers all
elements of foreign population, which, 1or
rimental to the moral and physical healtn on
its people, must be regarded as recognized
canon of international law and intercourse.
China, herself, has not dissented from thls
doctrine, but has, by the expressions 10
which have referred led us conhdently 10
rely upon such action on her part III CO.
operation with us as would enforce the ex-
clusion of Chinese laborers from our country.
This cooperation has not, however, been &C
corded us. Thus, from the unexpected and
disappointing refusal Of the Chlnese gov,
ernment to confirm the acts OF It's autnorlzed
agent, and to carry into effect an lnterha.
tional agreement, the main feature Oh
which was voluntarily presented by that gov
ernment for our acceptance, and wnleh
had been the subject of long and carefui de-
liberation, an emergency has arlsen,in Wnic1
the government of the United States IN calico
upon to act in self defense by the exercise OF
its legislative power. Icannot but regard the
expressed demand on the part OF CHINA Tor
q re-eXamination and renewed discussion OF
the topics so completely covered by mutual
treaty stipulations, as an 1ndehnlte postpone
ment and practical abandonment OF the
objects we have in view to which the govern
ment of China may justly be considered as
pledged. The facts and circumstances
which | narrated lead me, in the performance
of what seems to me. TO be my ofhclal duty,
to Join the congress in dealing leglslatlVely
with the question of the exclusion of Chinese
laborers in lieu of further attempts to ADJUST
it by international agreement. But Whle
thus exercising our unQOuDteQ rlSnI III tue
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 actually have embarked on
their return to the United States before the
passage of the law this day approved, and
are now on their way, may be permitted to
land, provided they have duly and lawfully
obtained and shall present certificates mere
tofore issued permitting them to return: 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 indemnify such
Chinese subjects as have suffered damage
through violence in the remote and compare
lively unsettled portions of our country at the
hands of lawless men. Therefore, recommend
that without acknowledging legal Liability
therefor, but because it was stipulated in the
treaty which has failed to take effect, and in
a spirit of humanity BETTING our nati0ni
there be appropriated the sum of S276. .6l9.7o,
payable to the Chinese minister at this eapi-
tai in behalf of his government as full in
demnity for all losses and injuries sustained
by Chinese subjects in the manner and under
the circumstances mentioned.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Oct. l, 1888.