The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-26
A CHINESE LEAGUE.

A circular has just been issued bearing
the title, First Voice of the Americanized
Chinese of the United States to the Pub
lic." 1t purports to be issued by "the
Chinese Equal Rights League of Amer
lea, - is dated at Chicago and signed by
Wong Chin Foo, president. The object
of the league is said to be the repeal OF
the Chinese restriction law, and the cir
cular asks for moral, political and pecuni-
airy aid from the American people gener-
ally.
After describing the restriction law of
1882 as an outrage by which 1.-THE rights
and Liberties OF nearly a quarter OF
million lawful and industrious citizens of
the United States were swept away, arbi-
trarily and Internationally, for all time
to come" the circular says:
Fellow-citizens, we appeal TO you to assist
us, both morally and financially, to restore TO
the AmericaniZed and American-born Chinese
of the United States their rights TO citizen
ship ; we do not ask this for any other class of
Chinese in this country, and we have abso-
lutely no sympathy for those of our country
men who persist in their own civilization and
refuse to become Americanized, and whose
only aim is to earn money enough TO return
TO China with these we have nothing 10 do.
We are for the Anne ricanized and American
born Chinese only, and for their honor and
equal manhood We now appeal 10 you for jus
tice.
We feel greatly distressed to think that not
withstanding the love we cherish In our hearts
for the home and country in whic we live,
but cannot legally call 1t our own, we are not
permitted 10 share with you in its glories and
responsibilities. We feel grieved and humiIi-
ated every time we behold our colored breth-
rem, even from the wilds of African jungles,
sit and eat from the National family table,
while we, the descendants OF the Oldest race on
earth. are not even allowed to pick up the
crumbs from und er the table We feel 1t, fe.-
low-citizens, and we weep in siience Who
will help us? Where are the country's Wash
ingtons, Summers, Beechers, Lincolns and
Grants?
1t will be noted there is a good deal OF
cunning in this appeal. The distinction
drawn between the "Americanized China
men, and those who have come here sim.
ply 10 MAKE money shows the smooth
blandness of Monaghan diplomacy. 1t
will not deceive any one on the Pacific
Coast wher. it Is well known that
Gilman an never becomes Americanized,
but 1t will have persuasive effect in the
East and is likely to awaken there sem
timent which may prove troublesome I'M
less promptly guarded against.
According to the circular it is the inten-
ton of the league to begin a campaign
this fall against the restriction law with
the object OF presenting a petition for the
repeal of 1t at the next session Of Con
gress. 1t is announced that the league
has contribution of $4,000 to start with,
but this it frankly declares is not drop
in the bucket of what will be needed in
the fight. The first step will be to hold
mass-meetings in the larger cities of The
Union, after which National convention
will be called 10 perfect the organization
and prepare it for an incessant war again st
the law.
Until something more is known of the
league THAI is disclosed by its FIRST
voice" it will not be easy to decid whether
it is the eginning of a dangerous agita-
tion against Chinese restriction or only q
scheme to obtain contributions of money
on which the officials of the league can
live comfortably. The movement 10 at
any rate one which it will be worth our
while to watch, and it will be interesting
to see what Americans will Identify them
selves with 1t by contributing money or
taking part in the proposed mass meet