Speech #510140667

It had evidently failed to accomplish its object. Labor was doubtless. in the estimation of these gentlemen. still commanding a very high price. because within a short year. as I have stated. after the increase of tariff taxes in 1867. additional articles to the treaty with China were negotiated by the Republican administration. By thefifth of these articles the great promoters of protection to labor solemnly contracted thatthe United States of America and the Emperor of China cordially recognize the inherent and inalienable right of man to change his home and allegiance. and also the mutual adrantage of free migration and emigration of their citizens and subjects respectively from the one courtry to the other for purposes of curiosity. of trade. or as permanent residents. So wehave in theone instance. fathered and fostered and promoted by these friends of American labor. in 1864 an act to promote the importation of foreignacontractlabor contemporaneously with the increase of burdens upon our labor at home and in the other instance a sweeping invitation and the opening wide of our doors to myriads of Chinese paupers. who were seeking our shores to take the place of our honest and industrious labor. in 1868 contemporaneously with the enactment which added largely to the burdens of every man. -woman. and child in the country! And this was protection to American labor! But there is another chapter to this Chinese question. When the Democrats acquired control of the I rouse of Representatives. when the protest of American labor against. cooly importation amounted. especially in the far West. to open revolt.. an act was passed prohibiting the immigration of Chinese and excluding thcm from our shores for twenty years. This act was defeated by the protest and veto of a Republican President. In its consideration here it was embarrassed and hindered by Republican obstruction.