Speech #570044198

Being aware that the proChinese element in the country depends in a large measure upon the general ignorance of many of us east of the Rocky Mountains ns to the merits or demerits involved. literature has been prepared upon the subject for general distribution. We have issued a pamphlet containing in substance the result of official investigations. made by special committees of the California legislature. a special committee of the board of supervisors ot San Francisco. and the several commissioners of the bureau of labor statistics of California. together with extracts from memorials adopted by State and antiChinese conventions. also containing the views of some faou tesmen and economists. furnishing exhaustive and startling data which will enable those interested to obtnin the information necessary to combat igtoraut or umreasning opposition. Then the report goes on to say: There can not be any honest division of opinion on Chinese exclusion. However much we may oppose. and with justice. unrestricted immigration from elsewhere. this Chinese question is not at all to be compared with or included in a general immsigration law. Important as are the interests of labor involved. they form by no means the sole or controlling influence governing us in our efforts to continue the policy of exclusion. Apart from the fact that we are worlcingmen. we are also American citizens. fully imbued with the grand principles underlying our form of governmeat and our present system of civilization. Theintroduction oscontinuance of an element so entirely at variance with ome economic. political. social. and moral conceptions. and so utterly incapable of adaptation to the Caucsian ideas of civilization . is not only dan gerous to us as a. clas. but is destruct.ive_ of the varous nstitutins we are so earnestly striving to uphold. maintain. or attain. Whatever may he the opinion of others. to us this matter does not permit a compromise. Chinese exclusion is an issue upon which all organized labor is a unit. The hearthstone of American citizen. is in danger. Every ioming cooy means the displacement of an American and the lowering of the American standard of livisn It represents se much money sen t sof he country. So much more vice and immorality injected into our social life in its place. We can not afford to trifle with a race of people so utteriy unassimliative. so ruinous to our general prosperity. and so blighting to our every prospect. Comparison with immigration of other peoplesis onlypossible by contrast. While we object to an indiscriminate influx of other foreign laborers. we maintain that discrimination in the case of Chinese immigrants is impossible. We insist upon an exclusion act which will effectively exclude. Provision must be made for proper enforcement of the law when enacted. and the jurisdiction and execution of the law so conferred as to remove it from the legal juggling to which former laws have been subject. The general importance of this legislation justifies me In again urging the necessity of ceaseless and untiring activity In whatever direction it may be essential. and. furthermore. that every honest and legitimate effort be used to impress others with the same zeal for the furtherance of this law. so that all may contribute toward the successful consummation of an act so absolutely necessary for the best interests of the nation. Mr. President. the report of the special committee appointed by that convention. only two members of which hailed from the Pacific coast. was unanimous in favor of this legislation. That report declared. among other things. the principal dangers of Chinese immigration. First. The mobility of the Chinese as a race and their tendency to move in vast numbers toward countries offering them opportunities (by excessive toil and the cheapest possible method of living) to save enough with which to return to their native land.