The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1900-09-06
Written for The Prison Mirror.
Civilization and the Chinese

"Doing injustice is greater evil
than suffering injustice" said Socrates.
While these were not the words of a
Christian, it can be said that they were
first voiced by man who practiced
what he preached.
In the many versions given of the
civilization versus China affair one may
find authority for almost any conten-
ton; but the predominating reason or
excuse by which the civilized nations
Justify and adjudge the righteousness
of their action towards China is, in the
fact that the Chinese are not Chris
tians, are only heathens and therefore
too far beneath.
To be sure, the Chinese have their
shortcomings, and peculiar ideas which
to us appear ridiculous; but of more
weight to the cause-an admission
quite general, that more -peaceable
and law-abiding people are hard to
find. They are exceptionally Industrious,
and as class are comparatively more
educated than that of any other nation
in the world. In fact, it is stated BY
good authorities that it is difficult to
find Chinaman who can not read and
write.
Now what the Cinnamon ask and
demand is, to be let alone in the en-
joyment of their homes and religious
beliefs. Their resistance to any dis
turbance or oppression is general, even
to exerting force to exclude foreigners;
in the latter purpose, however, they
have not been successful.
In our own country-UnitedS States
we exclude the immigration OF the
Chinese with the excuses that they do
not incline to mingle with our people
and that they bring low-priced labor.
AS to being law-abiding and industri-
Gus, the country finds no fault with
them. How the average American
halls the fitness of this exclusion act!
continuing, eff we don't want them
here, we have a perfect right to ex-
clude them from our territory"
But, should we not, in all Justice,
accord them rights equivalent to those
we see fit to enforce? Have they not
protested and objected to our landing
on their shores? Do you know of any
of our race that ever mingled or in
tended to associate with the Chinese ?
No; the whites have never sought
amicable relations with the mongol-
ians. Outside of the dealings which
were based on dollars and cents, is
mentionable only the efforts of the
missionaries; and when the result of
the missionaries work is considered.
the seeds of discord they sowed be-
tween members of the several families.
it partakes of character closely allied
to criminal.
To convert distant and peaceable
people the missionaries established
themselves in the celestial empire, and
against the will OF the Chinese, force
their presence upon them. A daugh-
ter or son is first gotten in the fold, is
also treated to many articles of native
luxury; the mother is next prevailed
upon to join. This is generally as far
as Christianity succeeds in a single
family. What is the consequence {?
The mother and children now have one
faith Christianity. Everything that
he thinks permissible is crime, ter
rible error in her belief. AS the re-
ligion of his forefathers is one thing of
which he is supremely conscious, he
on the other hand believes her to be
eternally lost. He believes that his
| departed relatives are in Heaven, and