Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-10
TUESDAY. . b.. FEBRUARY 10. 1891.
The Chinese VS.. the Negroes.

The Chinese VS.. the Negroes.
Ex oriente lag. Boston was once the CEN
ire of New England notions and repre-
scented these all over the world. But that
city has now a large foreign population,
and is very different in many respects from
what il was generation or two ago.
Nevertheless, Boston still speaks for New
England If any city does. So long as
Harvard University and Unitarianism do
not yield 10 the teachings of the foreigners
in Massachusetts. so long will Boston, II
not Beacon street. be powerful factor IN
determining the political conditions which
shall constitute the environment OF the
people of New England. And what
ever Boston thinks we are apt TO ex-
pect New England 10 think. We assume
rs soon as a new question is raised Tor DIS
cussion and we have learned how Boston
stands affected towards it that New Eng
land occupies the same position. For ex-
ample, we take il for granted that we need
not look at the Congressional Record TO as
certain how New England stands on the
silver question, because Boston has spoken
for all that region. Boston knows what
taught and believed in London, Paris,
and Berlin, and fatters herself that she
needs no more light on the subject. Her
example is followed by Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Vermont. Rhode Island, and Connec-
ticut, and, if it were not treason TO the great
city of New York TO say 50, we might add
that even Wall street sits at the feet OF the
Gamaliels of Beacon street. In word,
Boston and New England are monOmethl-
lists. However, monometallism is not
what we propose to call attention to now.
The new Constitution of Mississippi and
the discussion of the constitutional power
OF Congress TO pass the force bill. and
other matters OF general interest, have
raised in Boston the question of the rela-
tive capacities of the negroes and the Chi
nese for self-government. Much to our
surprise, we find that the question is re-
garded as having two sides to it even there.
We know of no paper that has more lnhu-
ence in Boston than the Herald. Its circu-
lation exceeds, we believe, that Of any
other paper published there. 1t is ably
edited. 1t is leader of public opinion.
This organ of Boston ideas does not hest
tate TO declare that those people who deny
American citizenship to the Chinese on the
ground of their unftness for it have no
right TO criticise adversely the people who
deny il to the negroes on the same ground.
This is going long way, considering that
IL is an organ of the public sentiment OF
Boston which thus speaks out. The fol-
lowing utterance is still more noteworthy.
We quote from the Herald:
eve do not say that American citizen
ship should be given 10 either the Chinese
or the negroesl or that it should be denied
to either"
II the Herald speaks for New England in
this matter there will be no further use for
a negrophobist party in this country.
The southern people have constantly main-
tanned that they could solve the negro
problem if left TO their own methods. And
if New England. and men of New England
descent and birth in the Northwest, are
ready 10 acknowledge that they do not
know whether the negroes ought to be
allowed 10 vote or not-that is, are willing
90 let US decide that question for our
selvets, hen there is hope for the country
and peace and harmony for the South.
But we shall be asked what reasons our
Boston contemporary has 10 offer in sup
port of its contention that the Chinese are
as well qualified to become citizens Of the
United States "a are the negroes? We
have at our fingers ends the means of
answering this interrogatory; for the
Herald itself answers it as follows:
I'VE considered the subject then and are con-
eidering IL now ON lite purely practical side-that
"a the ave<kgs mental abl ty OF the representa-
tiyes OF theSs two raees-and on this ground IL
seems 10 Us that the argument Is altogether IN
favor OF tho Chinese, and that Tor this reason
those who believe that tue people OF California,
for example, are JUSTIFIED In refusing 10 the Chi
nese ordinary political rights are logically bound
10 sustain the people OF south Carolins In adopt
ing tho same course respecting the negroes
"Compared with tho Chinese what has the
negro 10 offer : PhysiologicAily considered.
while the average member OF the Chinese race
can compare on terms OF toieraDle equahty Win
the white man. tho member OF the negro race
IL Of widely different formation. IL Is not In the
least q question OF color; the facial ino
IL different; the AVERAGE weight OF the
brain Is less the formation OF the body In
number Of respects quite distinct. There are
OF course exceptions, due mainly 10 an inter
mingling OF races; but taking the negro pure
aud simple his physical characterlstlcs make
him out Is distinct and different from the white
man.
"The negro. apart from the influence OF the
white man, has never shown the ability TO lit
himself above the level OF the barbarian: he Is
wonderfully adaptive in his habits, and aston
isbingly susce ptiple 10 the influence OF his sur
roundings; but white this loads him 70 readily
adapt himself 70 the conditions OF CIVILIZATION,
such as be finds them In this country, when
fair opportunity Is afforded him. II also has the
apparent effect OF making IL impossible for him
20 main ain q self-sustained position when
these ciyilizing Influences have been Withdrawn.
all ~ m ~ u. through
association with the white race, 20 high de-
gree OF civilization, 10 this influence Is with
drawn he not only ceases 10 advance but Ia al
most sure 10 rapidly reuograde Not even a semi
civilized nation was ever formed by the ma
siyes IA Africa, and In San Domingo and Haytl,
where under white influences the negro had at
taine1 q high degree Of civilization, the removal
Of those lnauences has been all thstwas needed
10 reduce the people 10 very low SOCIAL, politl-
cal and industrial condition"
The southern man need not add word
10 this argument in favor of the right
and duty Of the whites 20 govern this
country, and particularly all the southern
States. The more negroes there are many
given State. the more potent the reasons
why the white man should rule the State
absolutely. We must treat and cure the
disease whore IL prevails-not where it
does not prevail. We owe il to oar chill
dren and our children's children that the
right of suffrage shall not be degraded.
American citizenship Is something to be
prouder Of than the Roman was of
his citizenship. When American citizen
ship shall cease 10 be a subject of just
pride. American civilization will have be-
come by-word and kissing.
--------------------------
A Great Danger"
Tn o,v traatnapt IF fha silver onestion