Year: 1876

THE ANTI-CHINESE SENTIMENT.


1t cannot be denied that the feeling
against the Chinese is increasing in
intensity all over the State. The
ebullition of feeling against the pres
ence of the Mongolian has spread
from San Francisco like malady to
every part of the Commonwealth, and
in some instances has assumed form
of expression as disastrous in its effect
upon the community as it is disgrace
full to the civilization of the age. With
all of the enlightenment that charac-
terizes the present era there exists in
every large community an unruly ele-
ment which when inflamed exhibits
the worst features of humanity, often
in most alarming and dangerous
phase. There has been no topic before
our people for many a year that is so
much calculated TO awaken the strong.
est prejudices of the lower and most
uncomfortable classes as the antago-
nism of Chinese to American labor.
The grievance is a serious one, and its
existence is damaging to the last de-
gree to the good morals of society.
The action of the anti-Chinese clubs
in many localities In an effort to con-
tribute to the removal of the evil has
been disgraceful and unwise in the
extreme, inasmuch as it has been cal
culated to induce arson, pillage and
slaughter. The safety Of communities
has been jeopardized, both as to per-
son, life and property. Should these
bad examples be followed in San
Francisco, and the arguments of pas
sionate and ill-advIsed orators at the
clubs be carried out, there does not eX-
ist within the reach of the civil au-
th0rities sufficient military power to
put down riot, nor are there facili-
ties enough at the command of the
Fire Department to prevent an enor-
nous conflagration, if not the entire
destruction of the city. The police
would be wholly powerless, and
the most calamitous anarchy
would reign for the hour, with most
melancholy results. New York and
Boston as well as Philadelphia have
witnessed the result of fanatical coun-
sci to the ignorant and hot-headed,
and four years ago we witnessed a
transaction i'm the Chinese quarters of
our own city that has left a mark of
disgrace upon our community that
can never be effaced. There were at
least dozen killed in the transaction
we allude to, and it was with the
greatest difficulty that more serious
damage was not done to property than
did occur. In the daily papers in Los
Angeles there is an advertisement
calling for public meeting of citizens
with view to discuss the Chinese
question from a general standpoint,
and to consider the policy of forming
anti-Chinese clubs in our county. We
are as much disgusted with the condi-
tion of things that the presence of
the nuisance has brought about in our
community as any one else,
and while We most emphatic
ally condemn the policy of the
Government that brought such a cri-
sis upon US, for there the blame be-
longs, we do most emphatically con-
demn any measures that Will be cal
culated to infiame the passions of men,
and trust that the action of the meet
ing this evening will evince a spirit of
manliness and regard for the fair
fame of our community that will pre-
vent recurrence of such scenes as &C.
Cured four years ago, and save the
State and our county from a lasting
disgrace. Let moderation and discre-
tion be the guide and no harm can
ensue. If deemed proper to take any
action in the premises, all that is nec-
essary or decorus, not to say prudent,
will be to, in dignified manner, join
in the general expression of regret at
the preseuce of the Chinese in our
midst, and join in respectful appeal
to Government for legitimate abate.


ment of the nuisance.