The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-26
THE CHINESE QUESTION.

To The INDEPENDENT: Tn recent arti-
cles appearing in lending dailies npon thu
necessity of a moro ~strinRent anti-Chinese
law has caused to me- wonder IL tie prime
movers in this mattss had any real knowl-
edge OF China and the Chinese.
The empire of China il perhaps the most
remarkable. as it ia the Oldest. country in
the world. with a history covering a period
of AGO years, without q b; eak In its con-
tinuity. 1t has Rn estimated area OF about
100000 square miles, and an estimated
population OF about 400. 900. 600 Of the hu-
man race, living under the same govern
ment. ruled by the same laws, speaking the
same language. studying the same litera-
ture, having n greater homogeneity, and a
more enduring, national existence b any
othes people on tho face Of the earth,
whether Of ancient or modern timaa.
Whether we consider it's high antiquity,
It's peculiar civilization. its elaborate adj
ministrative machinery, its marvellous Ian
euage. its philosophy and li%teratnre, its
manufacturing industry and natural pro-
duotions, it oe tainly is worthy Of more
serious and thoughtful study than has yet
been accorded to it. One Of the Oldest
books of the world, outside of the Hebrew
Scriptures, is the SIM King. recording
events that occurred b. c., $500.
Central Asia was the cradle of the human
race. All religion originated thee. but its
people now are enveloped in the darkness
OF idolatry, ignorance and vice. We can
form no adequate idea of the immenso
population. DR.. Ashmore has supposed
them to be- marching, as soldiers march.
twelve hours and twenty miles q day. Al
lock step there would be- $500 persons in q
mile, and 100000 would stretch along for
about 2S4 miles, and occupy fourteen days
in passing. The whole procession would be
~ ~ I 1@,,x. sod ~nsry, ,no~o &fNvN
thirteen years in passing by q given point.
We have duties as citizens as we'll as
Christians to discharge. Our government
has been shamefully unjust and candal-
onsly unchtistian III its treatment OF the
Chinese who come to our country. How
China if the Chinese government should
r~etaliate in kind? The sand lot hoodlums
of San Francisco nave dictated the previous
pollcy OF the government, and political
d~smaqogues have truckled to their de-
mands to got their votes. ls it not time
that this so-called Christian nation should
recognize the fact that Cinnamon as human
beings have certain rights that ought to DO
respected? Has not . Chinaman as much
night as any other foreigner. in America as
long as he behaves himself? So far as their
politics are concerned, | would as soon live
III a city governed BY Chinese coolies as one
ruled By foreign hoodlnms.
March "a a mass meeting was held in
Cooper Union, New York, with a view to
persuadinR congress to pass a more strin-
gent init -Chinese law before the present
session expires. Resolutions condemning
missionary societies and efforts were read,
and a petition presented, which was brought
before congress by Representative Geary,
OF California. It is particularly bitter
against missionaries, and one clause as re-
ported by the New York morning papers,
was respecting the conversion Of Cinnamon
in this country. ."Chinamen making pro-
fession of the Christian religion do 80 only
to ply their VOCATION as opium vendors
through Sunday-school children and their
teachers" This memorial closes by pray
ing that congress will Danish all Cinnamon,
and that all Christians who wish to convert
them may go with them and that the navy
be instructed to convey all hands to
the nearest Chinese port.
1t is difficult for US to treat such matters
seriously; but these petitions were presented
IN all seriousness and are being pushed with
the utmost diligence. We can, therefore,
help the work in China best by beginning
at home and discharging out whole duty as
citizens and patriots.
Hath not God made of one blood all ma
tons of mon to dwell on the face of the
earth? The same red blood flows through
monaghan as through caucasian veins. We
cannot afford to look down Upon them now
as beings of an inferior order, for, in the
great day Of God Almighty, we may touch
elbows with some yellow-skinned, almond
eyed celestial and have him for a next-door
neighbor in our mansions on the banks of
the river of life. E. d. S.