Page:The Pacific Monthly volumes 1-3.djvu/1044

 they organized highbinder societies; they got control of the best portions of some of our cities. Then came sand-lot oratory, and "the Chinese must go" de- mand. Such an element as the Chi- nese, who would not become citizens (why?); who lived frugally; who sent money out of the country to support dependent families in China; who lived in narrow quarters where white men would suffocate; who spent little money in saloons; who worked for less wages than the white man, and who could not bel rounded up on election day, be- cause they had no vote, could not be tolerated in an enlightened country.

Then we were treated to statements about the millions of Chinese in China, who would come here and overwhelm us. This, too, in face of the fact, still a fact, that there are no Chinese in this country except from the single province of which Canton is the capital city, and in which there are but 16,000,000 of people.

The result of all this was the Tacoma effort, in which the then President of the Y. M. C. A., .whose sister was a mis- sionary in China, took an important part; the attempt at Seattle, which proved futile because of a determined judge and the militia; the little affair at Oregon City ; the • effort in Portland, stamped out by the manly attitude of

the Oregonian and the firmness of offi- cials. Out of all this agitation came the stringent restriction legislation so creditable to a powerful Christian na- tion.

We have learned some things in these years, and, since China is taking such cargoes of American flour and is in large measure the future market for many of our products, there is less ex- citement about being overwhelmed with anything from China except orders for our lumber and flour. Those we are prepared to welcome. Indeed, we are not much disturbed to learn that in Portland there are some 60 native-born Chinese who will vote at our next elec- tion, if they do not forget to register.

The Chinese who are now here have more chances for a permanent residence than was possible before our restriction measures were adopted. Then the in- creasing number, by various methods, of those who .are born here, will call at- tention to them.

When we consider the Chinaman as a citizen, it must be remembered that the average Chinese, at home, has nG definite idea of citizenship. Laws are made, officials are appointed, not elecr- ed, and taxes are levied by the imperial government. The people have no share in such business. Their share is to pay the bills and carry the burdens of gov- ernment. This lesson of citizenship must be learned by our Chinese citi- zens here. Tt is not innate, but must be taught. If we are content to leave it to ordinary political sagacity to do the teaching, the Chinese voter will make a splendid ally of the boss. Bossism he understands. But as he is a man of quick perceptions and many resources if taught independence, he will know how to exercise his right as well as an old-time, independent American, and at the same time keep his own counsel, so that no boss can know what he will do. We must never belittle his keenness, but rather help him to use it for the good of the state whose privileges he shares. When he gets into politics we shall have some revelations in astuteness and adaptation to environment which will surprise us, especially if we have had a small notion of his ability.