Speech #570044198

It is admitted and must be understood that this legislation is extraordinary in its character. The reason is that we are confronted with the menace that has threatened the white peoples of Europe for thousands of years. First it was military and warlike competition with the Mongolians. now it is industrial competition with them. It is legislation directed against a particular people. The provisions of the law are stringent and unusual. The principle of exclusion herein embodied is the product of national development. and has become a vital principle of American policy. essential for the protection of American citizenship and for the preservation of American civilization. The policy of the United States Government in reference to the admission of Chinese persons has gone through three phases of progression. from free immigration in 1868 to prohibition in 1894. to wit: Free immigration from 1868 to 1880. restriction from 1880 to 1888. exclusion from 1888 to 1892. and prohibition from 1892 to the present time. From free immigration in 1868. therefore. we have reached a point when the principle of Chinese exclusion confronts us as a labor problem. as a social problem. and in a still more vital degree as a political problem. involving the integrity of American civilization. Our first treaty with China was negotiated by Caleb Cushing in 1844 and marked a great advance in trade and in a recognition of the rights of American citizens in the Chinese Empire. Instead of trying to keep out the Chinese.