Speech #500111971

But by patience. humility. and industry they crowded the white man in fields of labor which hitherto had been all his own. and as their numbers increased they became a distinct body in that region. different in habits. repugnant in morals and adverse to those prejudices of our own race most easily excited. The people of the Pacific coast became excited and indignant and hostile. bub the Chinese had come under the guaranty of a treaty. to keep which we were bound by all the obligations of national honor. But the people of that coast appealed to their Government. and those in authority recognized that their first duty was the preservation of the Christian civilization of their own race. a mission was sent to China. and China consented to a modification of the treaty under which her people had come to our shores. and the immigration of Chinese laborers was forbidden. But while this very negotiation was pending the race feeling on the Pacific coast found expression in scenes of violence which have no parallel in the collisions between the whites and blacks of the South. In Colorado the outburst of popular sentiment was such that a riotous assault was made upon a peaceful Chinese settlement. life was taken. homes were burnt and property destroyed by a mob numbering over five thousand. which for more than eight hours kept up its lawless work.