The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26
THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT.

THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT.
There is less opposition to the renewal Of
the Chinese exclusion act than there was
10 it's adoption ten years ago. This is cause
for encouragement. since it indicates that
we are coming to a better knowledge Of the
real purpose of government. The real pur-
pose Of government is to take care Of those
who live within the territory over which
it exercises Jurisdiction and upon whom it
depends for support. Practical economics
looks first to the welfare of the people
born In a given territory. This may be
selfish. but seIfshness is one Of the most
reliable preservative forces in society. The
man who devotes his energies TO caring for
his w household will not be the subject
of laudation as a philanthropist, but if all
men were like him there would be little
need of -almshouses or warehouses. For a
long time the people Of this country pro-
vided an asylum for the oppressed" but
we have passed that sentimental period and
our hearts no longer go out after the dregs
Of Europe except in Fourth of July ora
tons. We are beginning to be careful
about the kind of people we welcome to
the national freside. We are learning
slowly that it is about as unwise TO take
into the national life those ignorant of our
institutions and who's lives have been
spent in the lowest and narrowest condi-
home circle.
The Chinese have some good qualities
which other immigrants often lack. But
we cannot forget that thousands of years
of scanty nutrition has made the Chinese
a race that can subsist upon food upon
which a native of this country would starve
if he did not first die Of l~oathing it. Per-
hitting them to come 10 this country by
shiploads would result in putting a man
who can live upon 5 cents worth Of refuse
food in competition with a man accus-
toned TO a generous nourishment. The Chi
naman can do two-thirds as much common
labor, he can thrive upon one-third the
wages of the native because he is accus-
toned to a lower form Of human existence.
When these products Of two civilizations
or economic systems come into competi-
ton the native. unless he resorts to force.
will go to the wall. Having a family to
support, he cannot compete with the China
man who has not. If the native attempts
to compete he sinks to the level of the
heather. This is the experience in Cali
fornia. and 1t Is the experience in this
country wherever cheap and haIf-fed for
afop 1ahnr hac Honn ot,soc tbo ~1ooo - A.
native because he Will work for lower
wages. If charity begins at home, certainly
justice should have the same Mailing place.
Justice demands that the men who are
born in this country. who are accustomed
to its liberal scale of living and expendi-
ture. shall be protected against a compe-
tition with those whose physical makeup
enables them to work for smaller wages
because they can exist upon small quaint
ties of cheap food. This is the doctrine of
the economists who believe in protection.
The theory which demands that the prod
ucts of cheap labor in foreign countries be
made TO pay a duty which will give the
home product an advantage in the home
market also demands that the intelligent
and decent-living native laborer shall not
be placed at home in competition with
those who are the survival of the half
starved.
One other point: The present prosperity
Of this country is due to the full employ
ment Of its industrial forces at the best
wages and the expenditure of such wages
for the products Of other labor. There can
be no large prosperity in a land without a
varied industries. If the men and women
who are now earning good wages should
resolve to curtail their expenditures 20 or
% per cent, in three months storehouses
would be filled with unsold goods. prices
would be declining and factories would be
pie. The larger part of what they earn in
this country is put away against the day
they return to China. Beyond the COM
monest and cheapest food in small guam
titles and the scantiest clothing. they buy
nothing. The retail trade which nourishes
a town when our people have money would
vanish if the larger part of the labor were
done by this people, who have few wants
or desires. Every community in which the
Chinese should be a large element would
be a little China, where a dozen silver
dollars is a fortune.
In no feeling of prejudice or unkindness
does the Journal advocate the extension of
the Chinese exclusion law. but, upon the
same principle that leads il to advocate a
protective tariff. it urges the exclusion of
the Chinese for the well-being of the Amer
lean people. If it could it would so modify
the immigration laws that none but intelli-
gent immigrants should come to us from
Europe.