The record-union., 1893-07-25
A NOTE OF WARNING.

1t may we'll be considered whether citi-
which the Chinese are bound to respect.
For years at intervals Of but few weeks
there have been shooting ARRAYS in the
Chinese quarters that have been little
short of pitched battles. The quarter
lies along the rear Of lots fronting upon a
chief business street, and crosses five
fights usually take place at street corners,
and hence such bullets as go wide of their
human mark whiz up these cross streets
and sing about the ears of peaceable citi-
zens pursuing their way lawfully. This
was the case on Sunday at twilight, when
the crack of pistols and the sing of bullets
startled the air, and made people as far
distant as the depot dodge and run.
Even as it was there were several mar
now escapes on the part OF passers- by.
But the Chinese care nothing for this, evil
IDENTIFY. The killing of a white devil"
more or less, does not concern them.
They follow up their tong fights and feuds
without any apparent care for the safety
of people who have nothing to do with
their quarrels and rivalries. The people
of Sacramento are patient and lopg-suf-
fering, but some day, as surely as the sun
rises, some citizen will be killed or Sc
verely wounded by a stray bullet from
these Chinese gums" and then, we warn
the Chinese chiefs, neither the law nor
the officials will be able to restrain the
impulse Of the people.
Mob law at any time, under any cir
cumstances, is bad, indefensible and a
shame. But even in the best ordered of
communities it is possibility. If it is
impossible to put stop to this murder
GUS habit of the Chinese in Sacramento
this pastime of getting out into the streets
and sending bullets flying from navy re-
pect the worst.
Had the lad on Third street, near J,
who came so near being hit by one of the
shots Of Sunday evening, fallen victim
to highlander love for sensational shoot
ing. 1t is likely that Chinatown would
have been RACED to the ground within
the hour. Against such a liability every
good citizen should exert his influence
but we know as certainly as we know
that the people have been sorely tried
that if in these weapon fights between
the Chinese on l street an innocent
white man falls, there will be shame to
the municipality, humiliation fer the law
and disgraceful riot, in which the Chi
nese will be the chief sufferers and the
city will be the payor for heavy bill of
damages.
We may hope that this will not be, and
do all we can TO prevent such unfortu-
nate results, but we cannot close our
eyes and ears to the complaint of the
people, nor can we forbear, with justice,
telling the Chinese leaders and the own
ers of property in Chinatown what we
feel to be the truth.
Patience has been quite exhausted, and
if another shooting bout on the I-street
highway sends bullets outside of the
limits of the Chinese quarter and among
the pedestrians of street and the cross
streets, we fear there will be exacted fear
full penalty. We make no mistake in this
matter; we know of the bitter feeling
that is gaining ground in the community.
We will do all that can be done to stay it,
but the commonest dictates of duty bid
the public journal to sound a warning
under such circumstances as those re-
ferred to.