Speech #470041107

The same objection was made to the Irishman in 185455 under the lead of the Knownothing organization. and to the negro. previous to 1861. by the people of the South. but these prophecies have all proved false. the fears then expressed groundless. and the Irishman and negro both vindicated their claim and right to American citizenship in the great struggle for national life we have since passed through. Again. the unusual and cruel manner in which these quiet and inoflensive Chinese have been treated by the people of California would seem to render it almost impossible fdr them to assimilate. if they were disposed to. When the Englishman. the Irishman. the German. the Frenchman. or any other man. comes here you extend to him the hand of welcome anad give him an equal chance with therest. but when a Chinaman appears. who has just as good a right to come here to better his condition and seek happiness as the others. you pelt him with stones and brickbats from the moment he leaves the vessel. and when at last he linds protection among his persecuted countrymen. you refuse to employ him. you will not allow him to enter your schools. you exclude him from the jurybox. you do not allow him to have. exercise. or enjoy any of the rights of citizenship. and now. to complete the long list of his wrongs. you declare by this bill that he shall never be naturalized. Now. sir. how can you expect he will mix. assimilate. and become like you. when you drive him to his overcrowded hovel and will not allow him to associate with Americans or hardly to come out of his dwelling? How can you expect him to become Americanized or become familiar with your ways and customs. when you will not tolcrate him in your presence or allow him to come in contact with your people? How can you expect him to become educated when you shut the doors of your schools and colleges upon him. and deprive him of every opportunity to learn your language or become acquainted with you literature ? How can you expect him to assimilate with your people. or take an interest in your Government. when you exclude him from the jurybox and will not allow him to take any part in the administration of justice? What right have you to expect him to assume the form and spirit of citizenship. and interest himself in public affairs. when you declare by solemn act of Congress that he $hall never be naturalized? This violent attempt to prevent by Federal law the civilization of China from coming in contact with our own. and this crazy fear of allowing Chinese labor to come in competition with American labor betrays a weakness and cowardice not at all commendable. or in keepisig with our history or the spirit of our people. Sir.