The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-07-31
OPPOSED TO
EXCLUSION
Mr.. Girvin Gives His
Views on Chinese,
immigration.

Editor Advertiser: The treaty with
China proclaimed July %, 1868, since
the termination of the convention of
the 18th March, 1894, which occurred
on the Sth Dec, 1894, is the law Of
the land, Acts of Congress to the con-
trary, Notwithstanding. It reads as
follows, in part:
"The United States of America and
the Emperor of China cordially recog-
nize the inherent and inalienable
right of man to change his home and
allegiance, and also the mutual advan-
tage of the free migration and emf
grafton of their citizens and subjects
respectively, from the one country to
the other, for the purpose of curiosity,
The Chinese are about to test the val
idity of the Acts of Congress passed
since the expiration of the Convention.
The question as to which has the
greater weight, the Treaty which gives
Chinese the same rights of residence
and protection as "subjects of the
most favored nation'' and which was
duly approved by the Senate of the
United States, or the Acts of Congress
passed in contravention of said treaty.
The whole history of the residence
of the Chinese on the continent of Am
erica and their ill-treatment there, and
of the causes which led up to the
passing of the Exclusion Law is most
interesting and presents features pecu-
liar to itself.
In early days in California the
Chinaman was welcomed in every part
of the State. There was no objection
found against him. 1t was not until
1876 that there began to be hue and
cry and mass meetings held to deter
mine what could be done to prevent
him from coming. Prior to that in
some of the rural parts, the mining
districts especially, many Chinese had
been murdered, robbed and driven
away by roughs and it was rarely the
protection of the law was extended
to him. In fact law was passed,
termed "'the alien miners tax
whic,' was aimed at the Chinese, and
they We're the only ones from whom
it was exacted.
At the mass-meeting held in San
Francisco the anti Chinese speakers
exaggerated the numbers of celestials
in the State, exaggerated their fail
ings, and belittled their virtues and
usefulness. Resolutions were formu-
lated and sent to- the general govern
ment urging the exclusion of Chinese
from the United States.
AS is customary, a joint committee
of the two houses of Congress was
sent out to California to make minute
inquiry into the history of the Chi
nese on the Pacific coast. It did its
work thoroughly and called before 1t
witnesses from all classes, whose evil
dence is of record. This was placed
before Congress. If any one will take
the trouble to read TINS mass of testi-
mony, laying aside his innate pref
udice against the Chinese, he must
acknowledge the preponderance of
evidence in their favor. He certain
ly did more towards speedily opening
the State for settlement, by building
the great highways by which such
numbers of settlers from the east have
come. He has proved faithful newer
of wood and drawer of water to the
white immigrant. In any of the state
ments made against him there was no
truth found, except perhaps that the
Chinese were inclined to be gregar-
ious and in every city and town es-
tablished their ghettos as the Jews
have done throughout Europe, and,
no no
protection.
Notwithstanding the report of the
committee, Congress passed the exclu
sion law, having first induced China
to consent to a treaty permitting of
such class legislation.
What caused the uprising, if we may
so term it, against the Chinese and
who were the instigators of the move
mentY
1t is found on close scrutiny into
the evidence of the cause of the OPP
position to Chinese that jealousy of
their Industrious and economical habits
was the bottom of the whole trouble.
Who were the instigators of the
movements The answer to this is that
ninety-nine per cent of them were
naturalized aliens from Europe. or,
their descendants in the first genera
ton. 1t was rarely that an educated
American was found to raise his voice
against either a Chinaman, or a good
immigrant of any nationality. He
knew that there is a field here broad
enough for all for many years to come.
The prime cause of the excluding of
any race or tribe from the enjoyment
of the natural riches and opportun1-
ties for lettering the condition of
aliens is that inherent hatred which
the lowly nourish against any other
race or tribe. If any one will analyze
his feelings or sentiments on being
brought into contact with another he
will note that he either meets the