Speech #500020345

All I wish to say. and all I have to say. and all I propose to say in regard to the pending resolution. is that if we had a treaty today with China providing for absolute exclusion. the work would only have been commenced. In so far as the great work of excluding Chinese laborers from this country is concerned. it would be necessary to follow that up in order to bring aboutany very important result by asinilar treatyfirst with Great Britain. second with France. and third with Mexico. It would not be enough even then. but after all these things had been done it would be necessary for Congress to take hold of the matter and provide by law for the execution of the provisions of the treaty. and in my judgment until all these things are done this country will never stop the immigration of Chinese laborers to the .United States. Of course that is one way to do it. and that is perhaps the better way. and in deference to the opinion of men who look upon treaties with some degree of awe and as surrounded by a sanctity which Congress must not under any circumstances disturb. no matter how great the emergency. perhaps that.is the proper way. and I for one. as this is the plan proposedI am in favor of cooperating with every Senator and every member of the other House who is in favor of maintaining treaties inviolable. no matter how pernicious they may become. to the end that a treaty may be entered into with the Chinese Government which will. so far as it goes. exclude any Chinese laborers from coming into this country. But. as I have said. you must go further. you must have a treaty with Great Britain. with Mexico. with France. and you must have legislation that will make the treaties effective. otherwise they will amount to nothing.