Speech #530023271

I ask the attention of members of the House if they want to understand this question and vote independently upon it. In the Burlingame treaty. Article V. was the following provision: The United States of America and the Empire of China cordially recognize the inherent inalienable right of man to change his home and allegiance and also the nmutnaladvantage of the free migration and emigration of their citizens and subjects respiotlvely from one country to the other for purposes of curiosity. of trade. or as a permanent residence. That is the language of the treaty. The high contractlngparties. therefore. join in reprobating any other than an entirely voluntary emigration for these purposes. Now nobody thought that China was going to assent to any proposition of that sort. the right of her citizens to change their residence if they wanted to. But this American doctrine which we had fought the war of the Revolution to maintain. for which we again fought the war of 1812. this inalienable right of the citizen to change his residence and give -his allegiance to whatever country he prefers.