Speech #450112557

Such a question is that presented by the pending bill. It is no political question in the ordinary acceptation of that term. Itis one that rises above mere party and addresses itself to us. not as mere partisans striving for party supremacy. but as conservators of the peace and good order of our people and the integrity and pirpetnity of republican institutions in America. as defenders of the purity of our political and social fabric against the contaminating. corroding. and destructive effects of the imperial customs and practices of overwhelming numbers of Asiatic barbarians. That this is so may be gleaned from the fact that of the eighteen Senators. Representatives. and Delegates from the Pacific States and Territories. where alone in the United States the shadow of this great evil has east its blighting influence. all. twelve republicans and six democrats. are a unit upon this question. Forgetting for the time that they are mere partisans. seeing and comprehending a great impending danger. they unite as common defenders of a common heritage. and insist upon such legislation as will avert so great a calamity as today threatens the peace. the prosperity. the civili.aton of the people of the Pacific coast through the contaminating influences of a race which is flowing in upon us from the countless millions of Asia. a race which it has been truly said speaks not only a different language but worships unknown gods. keeps alive imported customs and traditions in direct and dangerous conflict with all our systems. and forms almost a separate caste. These Senators. Representatives. and Delegates of the Pacific States and Territories. irrespective of party. today with one voice. and that but the rightful echo of the almost universal sentiment of the people of that section. demand in the councils of the nation prompt. affirmative. and efficient legislation in opposition to. and in restraint of. this new. strauge. imsmuont. and deadly menace to the peace. the integrity. the permanency of our institutions. legislation that willthrottlo in its infancy and weakness this great anaconda in whose folds the vital interests of the laboring men and women of the Pacific States and Territories and the highest interests and purposes of our civilization are today being crucified. an evil which is sacrificing our labor interests upon the debasing altar of an unequal. unjust. unreasonable. and degrading competition with the serflabor of the lowest classes of heathenish Asiatic serfdom. and against which honest toil is today upon that coast rebelling justly in righteous indignation. Surely. then. when the representatives of all parties from the infected districts. if I may so speak. are. without a single exception. unable to see in this invasion of our shores by the serfs of Asia. instigated and controlled. guided and directed. as it unquestionably is. by wily. calculating. and avaricious masters. personified as they are by the notorious six companies. their agents and allies. aught but present and fearful menance and final and indescribable disaster to the rights. the privileges. the liberties. not alone of our own people. but to those also of the oppressed and downtrodden of other lands who upon our shores seek an asylum from oppression and a permanent home for themselves and their posterity. it would seem Senators from the East and South who have never personally stood in the presence of this new and great danger shoe d pause and reflect before deciding adversely to the proposed legislation through any illconsidered or false notions of hnmanitarianism or the sacredness of treaty stipulations. Mr. President. in what I shall briefly say at this time on this subject I prefer to address myself not so much to those whose education and political teachings would naturally lead them to discriminate in reference to race. color. and previous condition. but rather to those who have heretofore occupied and do now occupy higher. more liberal. and humane views in reference to the questions of race and color. and will endeavor to show that a wholesome restraint of Asiatic emigration to this country as a measure of protection to our institutions. our civilization. and our people. is in no sense in conflict with the most advanced opinions of those who hold to the nuniversal brotherhood of man. or to the doctrine even that suffrage is a birthright. no more in conflict. indeed. with these opinions than are our naturalization laws of today. which prescribe a certain residence in the United States and impose other jurisdictional conditions before any court in the land can admit any foreigner to an exrcie of the rights of citizenship. "All men." says the immortal Declaration. whose flowing words pointed the way to the men who achieved our liberties. " are created equal. that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. that among these are life. liberty. and the pursuit of happiness." To this declaration I give my hearty and unqualified assent. The rights of life. liberty. and the pursuit of happiness upon the part of ever.). human being should be respected. upheld. maintained in all lands. under all circumstances. in all ages. at all times. For the vindication and perpetuity of this idea war has been waged and patriots have fought and fallen.