Year: 1879

Although the JOURNAL and the people
OF Trinity County for whom it Processes
to speak would have been infinitely better
pleased with the approval Of the anti
Chinese Bill, reflection and sober second
thought will convince all candid minds
that President Hayes, in veloing the
measure did the only honorable thing
which he as Chief Magistrate could do.
That the reasons advanced in the veto
message are the only ones upon which his
disappreval was based none have the right
to gainsay, and the truth of these being
admitted the justice of the Presider tial
objections j. apparent. However much
we Of the Pacific Coast may wish it 9th
erwise, the soundess OF the doctrines ad-
vanced cannot be disputed. While Con-
gress has the undeniable right to abrogate
Treaty, this right should be exercised
only as a dc3Wicr resort-al other means
having failed-and tie President very
plausibly holds the opinion that "no
reason can reqGire the immediate with
drawal Of our Treaty protection Of the
Chinese already in this country, and no
circumstances can tolerate an exposure Of
our citizens in China to the consequences
Of SO sudden an abrogaton Of their
Treaty protection" Although the Bill
under discussion aims only at the abroga-
ton Of portion Of the Treaty ITS virtual
effect would be TO abrogate the whole.
THE power Of modifying an existing
Treaty belongs to the Treaty making
power and Congress is not competent to
exercise it," Therefore, it follows, If
present necessities demand the modiica-
tion Of tho existiEg Treaty with China =
that such is the fact-an earnest, rational
attempt should be made to accomplish
this object through the proper diplomatic
channels, failing in which Congress may
take the matter in hand and by final de
cisive action a5rogate the entire Treaty.
The feeling on the Pacific Slope is such
that the latter course, though prcmaturely
taken, would meet with almost unani


nous approval in this section OF the I'm
ion but the reflection cannot te avoided
that we constitute but one hftieth of the
population of the United States and that
other interests, ms Important rs our own,
demand consideration.


The passage Of the "Bill Restricting
Chinese Immgralon" by both Houses Of
Congress shows that, minority as we are,
our wishes have met with most respectful
and even unprecedented favorable con
sideraton. The circumstances which ne
cessitatod the veto of the measure are to
be regretted. Whenever the people OF
the Eastern Slope can be made to under
stand this Chinese question as it is COM
monty seen and its effects known to every
resident on this side of the continent. then
will relief be granted. The late temper
ate discussion has done much toward
awakening Il realizing sense Of our I'M
pending danger among the residents of
our sister States ; n continuance of the
agitation, carried on in the proper spirit
must convince them Of the justness of our
demands. Not only limit ton, but total
exclusion, of Chinese immigration is the
prayer Of our people, and it is only a
question of time as to when that prayer
viii be granted. Already the Mtcs are
let us do nothing to bring
dishonor on our cause that with chari
ty for all, with malice toward none," we
may in the end secure lasting victory.