Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-11
CHINA OURLAW
She Finds Something in it Un-
suited to Her
HENCE THE BLAIR INCIDENT
\ State Departments Letter Explains
Why Blair Was Objected -
for Min;ster.

wAsHiseros. April lo.--fhe follow
Ing 10 tho full texs of the most irnpor-
tant part of the letter written by Act
ing Secretary Whsrton 70 Minisser
DENLY, Octobsr ., 1881, concerning the
declination Of the Chinese government
to receive ex-senator Bla.r. II 10 pre-
faced with . statement that the posi-
ton winch China had assumed in the
matter "seenis To require the frank ex-
preston OF the views of this govern
nent." He says that Mr.. Blair. hav-
ing peremptorlly resigned his office.
there 10 no question of his gong To
China, but the objections of the Chinese
government TO his reception are open
70 inspection, and clearer under
standing is necessary IN the interest OF
International good will. He therefore
Gays: "While tho sovereign right OF
any government to determine the ac-
ceptability or non-acceptability Of .
foreign envoy admittedly exists the
cOmnity and courtesy OF nations III
practice cOnfine the exercise OF this
rignt within We'll marked limits. IL,
as An abstract proposition. it be SAID
that the right may be exercised with
out assigning reasons, il IL equally
clear that To refuse an envoy without
assigning reasons would be an extreme
step. Hence, as q general principle,
the refusal should naturally be jukti-
ned by reasons 30 true Of Themselves
and so evidently sufficient as to COM
msnd the respect and acquiescence of
the envoy's government.
1.-The communications of the Chinese
government IN MIR. Blair's case APPEAR
TO fully recognize this, for the govern
ment Of the United States is in terms
invited to admit the suficiency of the
reasons adduced, and 10 signify its
acquescence by ssnding out another
minister, whose public record shall not
be open to the objections alleged
against MIR. Blair public record.
China's Position Unt1nabie.
$50 far as those objections rest ON
allegations of fact, in respect of the
views concerning the Chinese people
and nation, which are alleged to have
been entertained. and uttered in the
legislative debate by Mr.. Blair. the gov
eminent of the United States canAot
question their sutficiency. A care
ful examination OF every public
utterance of Mr.. Blair in the
course Of the debates attending
the passage OF the Chinese bill
III the senate, concluslvely shows that
Mr.. Blair has been injuriously repre-
sented. In point OF fact. the true
record of Mr.. Blair, while in the senate,
shows him to have been first aud last
respectful to China and Just to her peo.
Pile. The objection to receive Mr..
Blair because he cast vots for the ex-
clusion act, is in reality an objection to
receive any person as minister - tlle
United States, who in his character as
senator or representative in congress
has cast vote for any measure which
10 obnoxious to the Chinese govern.
mcnt.
''It must be conceded by the Chinese
government that this is not the time to
discuss the propriety of legislation
which has become the supreme law of
the land, and which commands the
obedience of all persons within the
United States. Any person VINO may
be duly appointed United States minis
ter To China is bound faithfully tn Oh.
serve and aid in the execution of the
existing laws. The ground of objec-
ton to Mr.. Blair the president could
not take into account In selecting an
other envoy.
The Objection - to Our Laws.
cit is moreover illogical IN this, that
the objection of China being avowedly
against the existing legislation rather
than the legislaio', three years of
friendly intercourse have passed since
the law WAS enacted without Cnna's
,xr.s, hn rf
law Nself Was a bar to the reception OF
an envoy representing the country
which enacted it. 1t Mr.. Blair may
not be received as minister while that
law remains unrepealed, and because
OF Its existence as q law, it is not easy
to reconcile that position with the con-
tinued friendly reception of the United
States at Peking. In this aspect, as IN
every other aspect, the position
assumed by China is incongruous and
inadmissible.
AS have said, the incident is in
fact closed by the action of Mr.. Blair
in placing his commission In the presi-
dents hands. That circumstance, how
ever, does not make IT less incumbent
upon the government of the United
States to frsnSly and fully state its
views touching the incident itself.
Silence would Iil-comport with our own
self-respect or he just 10 the govern
ment Of China"
Mr.. Deuby on November % replied that
the dispatch would be of great service
to the legstation, should the question
involved ever arise. The correspond
ence closed with . telegram OF date
March % last from Mr.. Wharton 70 Mr..
DENLY directing him, il he had not
already done so, TO communicate the
above dispatch to the Chinese govern
msnt. The matter has been discussed
by the senate IN executive session, and
the attitude assumed by the Chinese
government has been foupdly de-
nounced on all sdes, but so far there
has been no attempt at action as the
subject - still in charge of the depart
ment Of state.