The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-03-31
H WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
As To THAT CHINAMAN.
FRIDAY. MARCH q. 1898.

the feeling of excitement mad subsidized
1t should be possible now for every resi-
dent of this city to consider the matter
coolly and nationally. and we give an eX.
tract from the Sunday sermon of Mr.
Reid, the Congregational minister. as
presenting the view Of a fair minded,
thinking man. Mr.. Reid, referring to
the Chinese episode, said:
The might OF public sentiment lis ir-
resistlble. Once get it into action it
can accomplish anything. But there's
the rub The trouble is that the public
conscience sleeps too easily. 1t is reused
only by some dire catastrophe. But if it
were constantly on the watch it would
foresee and forestall the mischief in its
small beginning. And it is here that we
are all at fault. For the public on
science is simply the combined play Of
individual consciences; and it is the
duty of every one of us to be always
watchful and alive to the rights and
wrongs of things, and ready to bring the
weight of our approval or disapproval to
bear instantly at whatever point the
public morals and safety are invaded.
that so great evils may be stopped at
their source instead of having to be
dealt with ia their disastrous conse-
quences.
"A case in point is last Thursdays
episode-the driving of a Chinalnan out
of our town. 1t is much to be deplored
that such a thing could occur amongst
us. 1t is much to be deplored that no
fitting public rebuke has yet been adj
ministered to the lawless spirit which
manifested itself on that occasion. Some
Of us think that a wrong was done. 1t
is our duty to say SO in plain words. L
certainly mean to use words plain enough
to be understood. | will say nothing of
the enthusiastically Of the proceeding, be-
cause no one could defend it on Christian
grounds without wearing a sneak thief
countenance. But from the legal stand
point the episode is just as ineXcusable.
If the Chinaman were not within his
rights in coming here, he could have
been expelled 10y due process of law, and
that would have been the only proper
method. But as a matter of fact he was
entirely within his rights. and could not
be expelled except by resorting to law
l~essnes5 and anarchy; and this the mob
showed its perfect readiness to do. The
Chiraman broke no law. He was sim
ply minding his business, which is more
than can be said of his prosecutors.
They were the law breakers. substituting
their own caprice for tie laws and con-
stitution. The whole affair was an out
rage on civilization. 1t was an outcome
neither of justice nor of humanity, but
altogether of greed. Its ethics is that of
the pig-trough. The perpetrators of It
have besnirched the name of our city
and have struck a blow at our most
cherished national institutions. OF
course, the INJURY done to one Chinaman
IS comparatively insignificant, but the
injury done to the cause of justice is
manifested go unchecked, grave disasters
will inevitably result. A great principle
is involved, the principle established by
our war for independence. the l~nalien-
able right of every man to life, liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness. That
right belongs to Cinnamon no less than
to you and me. Woe to those that deny
that right to their fellow men, be he
white. black or yellow. Woe to the land
wherein the infamous deed is done"
Mr.. Reid considered the matter from
the standpoint of common sense and
good public policy, and he is %undoubted-
ly right in his conclusions. Ry pursuing
the course that was taken with regard
to the solitary Chinese visitor, all that
portion Of the community which took
part in the demonstration placed itself
in precisely the same attitude as the
mobs Of Chinese towns which eXpel Am
erican visitors from their midst. We pre-
tend to be a superior race, and yet are
not above doing Just such work as they
do.
It may be admitted, and is unques-
tiorably true, that the Chinese are a
race hat canLot assimilate with the
Anglo-SaXon race as represented in this
country, but serious international diff
culties are certain to arise from the use
Of force and restrictions that do not ap-
ply to other races. In May when the
government begins to enforce the Geary
law. which requires all Chinese IN this
country TO be registered, it is going to
meet with unthought of obstacles. China
they are going to insist upon the enforce
ment of the most favored nation"
clause, an element in all Our treaties
which requires US to treat the Chinese
just as well as We do the people from the
country we like the best.
Curiously enough Chinese immigra-
ton to the United States was begun
through our own solicitation. 1t is a
misfortune to US, and we must escape
from it as best we may, but here are a
few facts which might Just as we'll be
kept in mind: Say that one hundred
Chinese who have been properly admit
ted to land on our shores should make
up their minds to locate in Great Falls.
Suppose they came here like other set
tier. bringing their effects, and some of
them should open laundries, some should
make gardens. open stores, etc. We say
that their settlement could rever reach
this stage, as they would either be driven
-