Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-10-11

and tfaie-e ~ shat nation arc proftably estsb
iished al numerous points throughout the Union
in whose hands every claim transmitted by an
absent Chinanan Of a Just and lawful nature
could be completely enforced.
The admitted and paramount right and duty
Of every Government TO exclude from its bor-
ders all elements OF foreign population which
for any reason retards IT'S prosperity or are in
imical to the moral and physical ideas of its
people, must be recognized as a canon of inter-
national law. China herself has not descended
from tn doctrine but has by the expressions
to which have referred led US confidently
TO rely upon such action on her part in CO.
operation with US as would enforce the
exclusion OF Chinese laborers from our
country. This cooperation has not
however been accorded u.s. Thus from the u1
expected and disappointing refusal of the Chi
nese Government to confirm the acts Of its
authorized agents and to carry into effect an
international agreement, the main feature OF
which was voluntarily presented by that Gov
eminent for our acceptance and which had
been the subject of long and careful DELHI
Grafton, an emergency has arisen in which
the Government OF the United States is called
upon to act in self defense by the exercise
Of its legislative power. can not but regard
the expressed demand on the part of China
for 4 denomination and renewed dis
cussion OF the topics SO completely covered by
mutual treaty stipulations, indefinite
postponement and practical abandonment OF
the objects We have III view 10 which the Gov
eminent Of China may justly be considered as
pledged. The fac:s and circumstances which I
have narrated lead me in the performance Of
what seems tonne to be my Official duty to join
the Congress in dealing legislatively with the
question Of the exclusion Of Chinese laborers,
and make no further attempts &c adjust il by
international agreement.
But while thus exercising our undoubted
rights in the interests of our people and for the
general welfare OF our country, justice and :air-
ness seems to require that some provision
should be made by act or joint resoiut on IN
der which such Chinese laborers as shall actu-
ally 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 ,tave
certificates heretofore issued permitting them
TO return in accordance with the provisions OF
existing law.
Nor should our recourse to legislative meas
ures OF exclusion cause US TO retire from the
offer We have made to indemnify such Chinese
subjects as nave suffered damage through
violence in the remote and comparatively IN
settled portions OF our country There
fore, I recommend that. without ackuowl-
edging legal liability therefor, because it
was stipulated in the treaty, which has failed
to take effect, and in a spirit OF humanity befit-
ting our Nation, there be appropriated the sum
Of sy76, 9l9.75 payable to the Chinese Minister
at this capitol on behalf OF his Govern lent as a
full indemnity for all losses and injuries sus-
taihed by Chinese subjects in the manner and
Under the circumstances mentioned.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion October |, 1888