Speech #470041107

I would not vote for it if the time was reduced to one year. or even one hour. because I believe the total prohibition of these people from our shores for any length of time. however short. is not only unnecessary and uncalled for. but that it is a cowardly repudiation in our dealings with a weak nation. of a just and longestablished principle in our Government. as well as a bold and open violation of the letter and spirit of our solemn treaty obligations with the people of China. It seems to me. then. that those gentlemen who base their opposition to this bill on the ground that the time is too long. and say they would vote for it if the time was reduced. abandon the whole field. give away the whole case. and might as well vote for the bill as it is. If we have the right under the terms of the treaty to prohibit this immigration for one year. then we have for ten. and if for ten. then for twenty. and so on forever. But the fact is. we have no right to do it for a single moment even. and if some firstclass European power stood in the place of goodnatured. peaceable China. we atever should have attempted it. Aside from the great question of human liberty and personal right involved in the passage of this bill.