The subject of Chinese immigration has been so thoroughly a d so ably discussed by the gentlemen who have preceded m that it is scarcely possible to urge any reason for the passage of the bill that has not already been put forth both in the Senate and upon this floor. Yet. the subject is of such vital importance to this country. and especiallyto the Pacific coast. that I should fail in my duty did I not earnestly advocate its passage and state my reasons for doing so. To appreciate to its full extent the importance of this question. it is necessary to come into daily contact with it. as we in the Pacific States do. It is necessary to see with our own eyes the insidious crachuments of the Mongolian upon every branch of labor. every avenmie of industry. to know of our own knowledge that they are taking in our factories and workshops. at the plow. beside the loom. yea. in our very kitchens and laundries. the place of the white laborer. And why? Becase this alien race. inured through long generations past to hardship. to meager and unsubstantial food. to privations of every kind. would thrive and fatten where the white manu would starve. It has been stated by some of the opponents of this bill that the Chinese ask and obtain very nearly the same rate of wrges as that demanded by the Caueasian laborer. The simple fact is thi: were the white man to demand a dollar a day. the Chinaman would be content with ninety cents per diem. or just so much less as would enable him to underbid his competitor. The Caucasian laborer cannot cmapete successfully with the Mongolian fomr many reasons. He would turn with loathing from tme offal sand refuse food upon which the Chinese cool u subsist if necessary. lie either has. or aspires to have. a home blessed and brightened by the presence of wife and child. for those he loves. he craves proper food. shelter. and raiment. he identifies himself with the country which becomes his home. in time he is part and parcel of it. has a voice in its government. and if necessary sheds his lifeblood in its defense ! As a people we are composed chiefly ofthe beat ofEuropea immigrants and their descendants. Our language is the same. our forms of worship are similar. and we are governed by the same laws. The models upon which our institutions are formed are the best which the world has known. and we live in an age and under conditions which will measure the possibilities of human excellence and sound the depths and resources of the human mind. In brief. being what we now are. if we retain intact the rich inheritance our fathers have bequeathed us. and build upon the plan of which they have laid the solid foundations. we shall attain the fruits of the highest and best civilization which the world has yet seen. Let us compare with this Latest seed of Time the Mongolian. his successful competitor in almost every field of labor in the Pacific States. He represents the oldest nation upon the face of the earth. his history. his habits and customs. his arts and sciences are what they were countless generations ago. and he is now what he will be in centuries to comeunchanged. unchangeable. fixed. immovable as the decrees of fate. By the laws of heredity the habits of his ancestors live in his character and are incorporated into his blood and brain.
Identified stereotypes
Chinese are described as an alien race, inured to hardship, who will take the place of white laborers and are fundamentally different from European immigrants.