Speech #450113359

I think the Senator from Louisiana has the right of it in holding those upon this side of the Chamber who support this legislation to answer what the distinction is between it and the argument which his friends claim to support the treatment which they extend toward that which they deem to be an inferior race. The whole argument in support of this bill is that there comes in under a treaty an inferior civilization with which the civilization of Christianity is unable to contend. and to which it must surrender. There is no distinction between that argunent and the argument which the Senator from Louisiana and those who believe with him urje in justilication of the laws which they hav enacted and of the treatment which they justify since those laws bad been repeated toward a race which thdy hold in precisely the same esteem that those hold this race of Mongolians who are supporting and urging the necessity of this legislation. Mv friend from Maine in front of me talks as if it were a justification of this legislation that we are opposed to the importation of coolies and cooly labor. It is not necessary to repeal these articles of the treaty in order to prevent the importation of coolies. The articles themselves condemn the importation of coolies. and call upon both governm.As to put down that importation. Yet the Senator fern Maine proposes to annul by a statute the very articles which prevent the importation of coolies. So far as I know. and so far as this debate discloses. there has been no importation of coolies tinder this treaty or to any extent since its ratification. It is not coolies. it is men who live on rice. it is men who work cheaply and patiently and constantly. and do not trouble themselves about political matters. who confine themselves to the industries to which they are called. who are in the way. It is because they have no other place in our history and no other iunction under our legislation than to attend to these duties that they are in the way and call down this hostile legislation upon their heads. Had they been clothed with the functions of voters. as the senior Senator front Maine has said. what a different treatment would they have received front the beginning!