Speech #570039334

They have shown no desire to become acquainted with our political institunions or to take part in our political life. ft may he contended that we refuse to admit them to politicsl lfe and that the treatment they receive at our hands has not been such as to excite the admiration of civilization. But the very tenacity with which. notwithstanding all this persecution. they have clung to peculiarities of costume and living. causing them tohbe singled out for abuse. shows that they are singularly conservative in their ideas. The whole history of intercourse between China and the western powers has exenplified the tact that with their four thousand years of civilzation behiiid them they are imbued with a thorough contempt for the mushroom growth of Enuropeanlife. * * * Thequestionof receiving them. therefore. assumes an entirely different aspect from that of receiving immigrants from Europe. The latter blend with the native stock. and all become one people. ir. Bayard. Secretary of State. in his letter to Mr. Cheng Tsao Ju. on February 18. 1880. says: Causes growing out of the peculiar characteristics and habits of the Chinese immigrants have induced them to segregte themselves tiem the rest of the residents and citizens of the United tand to refuse t mingle with the masses of population. as do the members of other nationalities. As Sconsequence. rae prejudice has been more excited against them. It can not be said with any semblance of truth that those statehents and conclusions are concessions to practical politics. They come from men who have made the Chinese subject a special aditted haet woulY d lbe well toprot et oulrselves if ther~e were danger of their coming here in great numbers. Do we desire immigrants of this character? Are these bland Orientals. stealing in and out. tireless as automata. seemingly imprvious to impressions. the material for American citizenship? Mr.