Last days of the republic

Preface

The reader will bear in mind that this history is written for the Twentieth, and not for the Nineteenth Century. It details, however, the events in which we now, and will continue to, have an active interest. But the present generation must, in the ordinary course of nature, pass into the grave before the curtain shall have fallen upon the last act of this national drama.

It will, doubtless, be objected to this work that it is, in part, mere speculation; and it will, further, be urged that it is absurd in presupposing the possibility of a condition of aifairs so extreme as that foreshadowed in its pages; but I have only to say, in explanation, that I am not responsible for the result any more than I should be for the product of the multiplication of two given numbers. In the one case, the numbers are submitted to the process of multiplication according to the rules of arithmetic, and a third, or additional number, is produced. It would be folly to quarrel with this result. In the second case, the data of thirty years of observation and experiment have been taken and submitted to a deductive examination — multiplied, as it were, by the hopes, the fears, the experience, the passions and prejudices of men, as well as by the example of history, and I am compelled to abide the result.

That I am not satisfied with this, must be obvious; but I can no more conscientiously change it in any particular, without discovering some plain mistake in the data upon which it is based, than I could change a figure in the product of my multi-

4 PREFACE.

plication example, without discovering that I had mistaken a digit in one of the given numbers.

If, therefore, that very enterprising " failure " known as the Book Critic should wish to deal with the inevitable, I should reasonably look on with unconcern; but it is requested to understand, now, and for all time, that, in this matter, I am out of the. controversy. I have simply done my duty in a matter of deductive research, and submit the result of my labors — hoping, meanwhile, that some timely act of administrative foresight may avert the impending catastrophe, which, at this period, menaces not only our civilization, but, indeed, our very existence as one among the nations of the earth.

Contents

Page.

Introductory. . . , 9

Chapter I

The Golden Age in California J. W. Marshall and General Sutter

Early Immigration From Chaos to Government

Crimes and Penalties The Advent of the Coolies Early

Intercourse of the Races Visions of Conquest Pursuits

and Occupations II

CHAPTER II. Rise and Progress of the Race Conflict The Political Faith of

China Her Traditions of Universal Dominion Characteristics of her Plan of Government Her Population She encourages Emigration Rc-arrangement of her Treaties

Burlingame becomes a Dupe The Six Chinese Companies

The Question of Labor Trouble Brewing The Rise of

Monopolies Labor Combinations Crash in Values Congress Considers the Situation Dry Facts about Political Parties New England's Propagandism California makes a

Constitution The People and the Corporations 20

CHAPTER III. Chinese Immigration and Immigrants The White Laborers become

Restive Intrigues of the Imperial Government Status of

the Immigrant Agency of the Chinese Companies Seward falls into the Little Trap set by Wein-Siang Inducements that Suggested Conquest Statesmanship Defined and

Illustrated Authority of the Companies Legal Technicalities The Dead Coolie Master and Slave Mongolian

Theology 49

6 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV. Pag^

Partisan Strife and Sectional Antagonism The Growth and Decay

of Governments Republics and Monarchies Contrasted

What Washington knew about Parties Reconstruction

Decay of Independent Thought Public Extravagance

Chartered Rights Construed Fragmentary Demoralization

The Judicial System Respectable Felony Political

Economy 65

CHAPTER V. Immigration becomes Invasion A Deductive History Cause

and Effect The Attitude of all Parties The Masses become

Threatening and Defiant The Coolies make Preparations

Legislation under California's New Constitution A grain of

Consolation The plan of Colonization New England and

the South invite the Coolie Causes affecting Population

Platforms and Platitudes Institutions that begin to Topple

The Coolie strikes for Civil Rights 85

Chapter VI

March of the Conquest The People invoke Legislation Modification of the Naturalization Laws Trans-Pacific Intrigues

Chinese Citizenship The Federal Courts on the California Constitution The Li^boring Element in Arms First

Battle of the Revolution Statesmanship of the Period

Coolie Ascendancy Trade with the East Mandarins in

Congress The Coolie at the South lOl

CHAPTER VII. Labor on the Rampage The Chinese control the Railroads A

Social Suggestion The Sum of Partisan Virtue Southern

Estimates of the Coolie The Rise of Classes The Negro

Exodus The Coolie settles in New England and breeds Distress The Morals of New England Suffer Her Peace is

Disturbed She seeks to Repudiate the Coolie and Fails

Her Moral Refiections Her Political Reflections Beneath

the Surface 124

CHAPTER VIII. The Chinese Empire Birth of a new Civilization Rise of the

Military Spirit The National Armament Commercial Supremacy in Asia The Arts and Sciences She aims at the

CONTENTS. 7

Page.

Dominion of the High Seas England and Hongkong Conquest of Farther India China becomes the Dictator of Asia

She clings to her Traditions Speculations in the Realm

of Conquest Preparations for the Struggle Mandarins in

American Politics The Discovery 145

Chapter IX

American Society Extremes of Luxury and Squalor Some Reflections upon Human Nature Class Attributes Obstacles

to Race Assimilation Natural Laws of Society become Inoperative Sectional Conditions The Coolie and the Negro

Subversion at the South Mongolians in Office The

Militia, Old and New Mongolian Obtuseness Race Comparisons Administrative Infidelity 164

CHAPTER X. A Picture that became a Reality Further Political Victories at the

South South Carolina is Vanquished and Forces a Crisis

Preparations for War The Whole South in Arms The

Coolies Equal to the Occasion Factions The Battle of

Charleston Events that Followed The Mongolians raise

the Standard of China The Viceroy of America A War

of Conquest The Struggle Inaugurated 185

CHAPTER XI. Equipment of the Hostile Forces Trans-Pacific Co-operation

Arrival of the Chinese Fleet Naval Engagement Importation of Troops and Munitions of War The Atlantic Coast

Conquest of the Pacific States Prevailing Laws, etc.,

Abolished The Imperial Edict 210

CHAPTER XII. Americans and Europeans, from an Asiatic Stand-point Intrigue

against European Intervention Russia and England in Central Asia The Struggle Transferred to Europe The Eastem Question Austria and Germany The "Plains of

Mursa" Small Causes and Great Effects The Balance of

Power France Another Bonaparte A Mexican Revolution Analyzed How the South American Republics Fight. . . 220

8 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII. Page

Army Characteristics The Struggle for Existence Glory and

Gold Mongolian Reverses Supplies begin to Fail Negative Success Practical Infinitude The Boundaries of Freedom The Spirit of Colonial Days The Women of America Famine Material Exhaustion 223

CHAPTER XIV. National and Army Diet War and Agriculture at the South

Occupations of American Prisoners of War The Chinese

Army in New England The Beginning of the End The

First Mongolian Victory- Pillage March of the Conqueror

Washington in Danger The Soldier's Reflection The

last Stronghold 245

Chapter XV

The New Government An Imperial Edict Mongolian Conservatism Aid to the Suff^-rers The Last Combat A Programme that Failed of Execution The Western Empire

Farewell Reflections The End , 253

INTRODUCTORY.

In picturing the condition of the American continent toward the close of the Nineteenth, or about the beginning of the Twentieth Century, a. d., it will be necessary, to the intelligent appreciation of the apparently incredible order of events at that time to be established, that we trace the causes which must superinduce this change, and lay them, in their order, before the reader. To faithfully carry out this historical scheme is the aim of the present work.

The State of California will figure somewhat conspicuously in these pages, but this is owing entirely to the fact that she is the member of our national political organization into which has been injected the poison that is slowly corroding the vital principle of our national life. This wounded member being the first to taste the agonies of impending death, was also the first to give intimation, by the unnatural discord of her internal affairs, of the terrible disease that had fastened its grasp upon the vitals of the whole governmental structure.

The logic of these deductions, considered in the abstract, will, of course, be omitted. . It would be of but little interest to the average reader, nor, in fact, would a purely metaphysical dissertation be appropriately located as a part of a purely historical work. It is sufficient for the author's aims and purposes ihat the conclusions arrived at be stated with sufficient clearness and detail to enable the counir)' to see the necessity of taking measures to arrest the disease, before the power so to do shall have passed, forever, beyond the reach of political regeneration.

LAST DAYS OF THE REPUBLIC.

Chapter I

The Golden Age in California J. W. Marshall and General

Sutter ^Early Immigration From Chaos to Government

Crimes and Penalties The Advent of the Coolies

Early Intercourse of the Races Visions of Conquest

Pursuits and Occupations.

This history begins with the birth of a new era in American enterprise, when, in the first month of the year 1 848, an obscure workman looked with unfeigned incredulity upon a stratum of shining gravel and sand, laid bare by the waters of the American river. It might be gold ; but the supposition was too extreme for the credulity of even the simple-minded millwright, J. W. MarshalL The broader experience of his employer, General Sutter, was necessary to pass upon the nature of the discovery ; and his verdict settled the classification of the mysterious samples produced by Marshall. They were gold.

How it happened that, at this stage, the coolheaded business man and pioneer speculator escaped the fever which, for a quarter of a century afterwards, seized upon and possessed the minds and faculties of the adventurous, not only in every part of the American Union, but also in every centre of population throughout the globe, is a matter of considerable speculative curiosity, however much it may lack the element of historical interest.

Notwithstanding the difficulties which beset the traveler, at that period in the history of California, through the very imperfect system of transportation then employed, and the dangers which lurked around the pathway, whether by land or by sea, that lies between this El Dorado and the centres of civilization, the following year (1849) witnessed an immigration to California which stands without a parallel in the history of any other commonwealth, or of any other people.

The report, that men were gathering sacks of gold among the mountains of California, was wafted to the bounds of the civilized world ; and the avarice of mankind responded to the implied invitation to come forward and participate in the bounty of the earth. Young America surcharged with oozing ambition was greedy to seize upon her recent acquisition and to enjoy the fruits of conquest. First upon the scene, her vanguard spread themselves over the mountains, taking only the choicest gifts of their golden offerings. Next, the slumbering Spaniards of the New World aroused themselves from their wonted lethargy and poured into this fabled territory ; after which the subdued spirts of monarchical Europe drifted upon the scene.

Incongruous, indeed, was the human admixture that now, for a decade, continued to flow into California ; and whether through the individuals themselves, or through the opinions which they entertained, every civilized people, as well as every sentiment of civilized government, the world over, was soon represented. The tendency to organization and assimilation inherent in the Caucasian race, here as elsewhere soon asserted itself, and its representatives, although gathered from three continents readily adopted a common view of the situation.

Some form of social and political organization had become a necessity for the protection of life and property, pending the organization of a state government, and the yet more dilatory operation of giving direction to its requirements. As the machinery of courts of justice were an impossibility in the interim, and the Spanish law, besides being imperfectly understood, was unable to cope with the spirit of the age, the whole people seemed, as if by tacit consent, to lix upon certain principles of natural law and vigorous justice, by which every man should be arrayed against every individual who should improperly interfere with the riofhts of others.

The commonest offences, many of which do not now rise up to the dignity of felony, were punishable with death. In fact the penalty inflicted, from time to time, depended as much upon the temper of the particular mob, executing the law, in each particular case, as it did upon the gravity of the offence charged ; and very often the whispered reputation of the prisoner in the community was the weight which turned the balance for, or against, the forfeiture of his life.

The unanimity of sentiment by which the mandates of the mob were generally carried into execution cannot fail to stamp with some measure of justification the rigor of the measures adopted for the public safety. At this day, the men who comprised a part of that primitive community and who have, certainly, had the best opportunity of judging of the expediency of those measures, are the last to condemn them ; and are almost unanimous in the position that milder measures would have failed of all usefulness.

In another view of the times, this severity was a necessity, to protect the industrious classes. The peculiar character of the immigration setting into California, could not fail to bringf toofether a very large proportion of the criminal classes of the places whence they had come. Initiated into crime among scenes of comparative restraint, these were disposed to give full play to their vicious instincts upon this lawless frontier, and only the terrors of lynch law and the gibbet could, in any measure, have restrained the dominant violence of a very large proportion of the population. The system of summary punishment thus estabhshed not only checked the vicious tendency of the criminal class, but also left its impress upon the criminal jurisprudence of the State, which, in a modified form, has continued down to the present day.

Amono- the immio^rants that flowed into Callfornia soon after the discovery of gold among her mountains, was a people heretofore practically unknown upon the American continent. Differing in manners, dress, habits of life, religion and education, and widely in their physical aspect, as well as in their physical requirements, from all others, they were also incapable of assimilation, or of social intercommunication ; nor did they manifest the slightest tendency or disposition to court a closer relationship with their fellow pioneers.

Servile to the last degree, they seemed to be a people ordained by nature to be the servants of all mankind. Eminently peaceful, industrious and lawabidino-, as well as shrewd in business intercourse, but not strictly honest, and terribly avaricious, they submitted to authority sometimes with apparent reluctance, but seldom or never offered anything assimilating to violent opposition. They seemed to have gathered from their intercourse with their more aesressive neiorhbors, that passive submission to all established authority was the condition of their toleration, and to have accepted the terms without stopping to inquire how far the authority exercised mieht be established or authorized. They were, thus, soon subjected to every species of imposition and extortion. Self-appointed tax collectors visited their camps, weekly, and, indeed, often daily, to collect from them that which they were given to understand were the revenues of the State.

The system, perhaps not differing very widely from that to which they had been accustomed at home, did not excite their suspicions until the success of the swindle had challenged the admiration of too many adventurers, who discovered an inexpensive method of providing themselves with the means of indulging their various lawless pursuits. The inordinate frequency of tax collections at length led to inquiry, and consequent enlightenment, upon this one point of imposition.

Many and various were the schemes of extortion from these plodding disciples of labor that were resorted to, with greater or less success on the part of the adventurer ; but in many instances even pretence was abandoned to give place to open violence, in which they were made the victims of undisguised robbery. As a class, they were outside the social compact ; and the engines of justice, which were ever ready to punish any infringement of the rights of others than them, propelled no agency for their redress or protection.

The reader who has visited the Pacific Coast will have readily recognized in this description the subjects of the Chinese Empire. Suspicious by nature and with that characteristic quickened into a lively instinct by the peculiarities of his training and education, the Mongolian had no sooner discovered the artifice to which he had been subjected, than did his mind conceive that all absorbin<if distrust, which has ever since maintained the ascendant in his estimate of the American character. It is possible, however, that this spirit is but another form of the race, or national jealousy, which, for so many centuries, isolated the Chinese Empire from the intercourse of nations ; and that under the most considerate treatment in California, the same want of confidence would, still, have characterized this people. But it is, nevertheless, true, that the local prejudice entertained by the Chinese immigrants to California, against its Caucasian population, was nurtured by the abuses to which their pioneers were subjected.

This unwholesome spirit, seconded by a consuming avarice, and directed by a most incredible cunnincf, laid the foundation of a scheme of conquest unparalleled in the history of the human race. A bold ambitious desire, coupled with a deeplyrooted conviction of their ability to possess alone, and undivided, a land so admirably adapted by nature to their habits of life, and so intimately connected with the mother country for the purposes of commerce, seemed, at this time, to have

^ 9.

first taken possession of the minds of their prominent men.

Suddenly there sprang up among the Mongolian residents of the Pacific Coast a desire for material independence and the possession of landed estate. This was rapidly followed by a most elaborate immigration scheme — a scheme which, in the course of a few years, swelled the Mongolian population of the Pacific States and Territories from a few thousand to more than one hundred thousand souls.

The methods employed to secure this immigration will properly belong to a subsequent chapter.

Heretofore these people had applied themselves mainly to the lowest and most servile occupations, but soon there arose amonof them the new desire to become artisans, and all became anxious to acquire the rudiments of an English education. With the bare exception of their physicians ( whose practice consisted principally of exorcism and the prescription of various insects, appropriately prepared, for internal use, as a treatment of specific diseases), and their priests, there were among them neither professional nor trades-people ; yet their capacity for acquiring trades was as remarkable as their industry and indomitable perseverance. They soon learned to apply the craft of the shoemaker, the carpenter, the cabinet-maker, the bricklayer and others — and with so much skill and

LAST DAYS OF THE REPUBLIC. IQ

dexterity as to seriously imperil the continuance of these pursuits in the hands of those of the white population who had made them the means of a livelihood ; while those who had devoted themselves to the object of acquiring an English education were hardly less successful.

CHAPTER II. Rise and Progress of the Race Conflict 'The Political Faith

OF China Her Traditions of Universal Dominion -Characteristics OF Her Plan of Government Extent of Her

Population She Encourages Emigration Re-arrangement of Her Treaties Burlingame becomes a Dupe The

Six Chinese Companies The Question of Labor Trouble

Brewing The Rise of Monopolies Labor Combinations

Crash in Values Congress Considers the Situation

Dry Facts about Political Parties New England's Pro-

PAGANDisM California makes a Constitution The People

AND the Corporations.

The reports which, following the treaty of 1858, continued to reach China, of the vast natural wealth of California coupled with the further consideration that her geographical position placed her, in contemplation of commerical comity, at the very doorway of China, made a deep impression upon the minds of the great statesmen who, at that period, conducted the affairs of the Empire. Subsequent events only tended to intensify this spirit of inquiry and investigation, until, in 1865, a corps of observation was sent out by the central government to see and report upon the resources of California.

The secret nature of this measure and the assumed private character of the visitors, shielded them at once from public observation as well as suspicion ; and I have not been able to find that any reference to this commission (for such it really was) has ever been made in the correspondence between the two governments. In due time the report of this commission was laid before the Imperial government, and was found to be confirmatory of the most favorable reports theretofore circulated ; and, in short, it proved satisfactory, in every particular.

The traditions and the policy of China teach and require that she shall aim to rule the whole world; and she has been awaiting the march of events to initiate, by appropriate signs, the era of her conquests. If there are those who doubt that such is, indeed, the conviction of the Chinese people, and hence the policy of the Empire, all such are referred to the international correspondence between that government and our own. This sino-ular hallucination breathes throuorhout almost every state paper issued under the authority of the Emperor.

For particular instances, for such of my readers as might not be satisfied with this generalization, or as may lack the facilities for a personal investigation of the subject, I will refer to the missive from the Emperor of China to the President of the United States, dated January 7, 1858, which proceeds as follows : "I, the august Emperor, wish health to the President of the United States.

Having received with profound respect the command of Heaven to sway with tender care the entire circuit of all lands, I regard the people everywhere, within and without the wide seas, with the same humane benevolence," etc.

And, again, in his missive of January 23, 1863, the business of state is introduced in the following manner : "In virtue of the commission we have received, with awe, from Heaven to rule all the world, natives and foreigners must be to us as one family," etc.

By these and similar expressions everywhere occurring throughout the state correspondence of China, the tendency of that people is made clearly manifest. To Rule the World, is a dogma, a creed, a holy tradition of China and the middle of the Nineteenth Century combined the circumstances that promised the realization of this national dream — a tradition that was hoary with the frosts of centuries ere yet the "Mistress of the World" had traced the foundation marks of her imperishable structure upon the banks of the Tiber.

The oldest as well as the richest country of the Gflobe, she was also the first and most advanced in the exercise of political economy, and hence in the science of government. This is made manifest by the vast population she sustains, considered in connection with the extent of her territory ; for no other government, whether of ancient or modern Limes, has ever succeeded in maintaining, in a condition of prosperity and peace, a population so immense upon a like extent of territory — large, though it is. And if the peace, protection and prosperity of a people are an indication of good government, then the government of China stands vindicated. Of the pacific disposition of that government, proofs are not wanting; while, of the prosperity of the people, something may be gathered from the writings of diplomatic agents and others traveling or resident in China. In this connection reference may be had to the letter of Hon. G. F. Seward, from Hong Kong, in March, 1876, to Mr. Fish. He says : "As things are, there are, perhaps, as few persons pinched with want, to be seen in the streets of most Chinese cities, as in those of the cities of Christendom."

Burlingame tells us, in his letter to Secretary Seward, of date December 14, 1867, — and that he should be an excellent authority upon the subject no one will, for a moment, doubt, — that the population of China comprises one-third of the whole human race.

That nation, which built up her civilization and maintained her autonomy by the undeviating pursuit of peace, early became aware that a conquest inaugurated by the exercise of peaceful negotiations could, alone, promise complete success. The hour had arrived for the vindication of her traditions. She had weighed all the circumstances, and become determined in the prosecution of he;

resolve. The control of the United States would f^ivc her the virtual control of the Western Hemisphere. The resolve had become fixed, and its prosecution, alone, remained.

As the introductory act, she proceeded to transport her surplus population to America and to have them learn to maintain themselves there. She had unbounded confidence in the patriotism of her people, while, upon their industry she knew she could rely. Hence, her subjects must fill up every avenue of industry; must become the yeomanry of the Western World; must first effeminize and then conquer the luxurious people who, judging from the pursuits and pleasures that have grown up into institutions among them, live only to gratify the various dominant passions of their nature.

The first step to be made would prove the most difficult; after that should have obtained recognition and toleration, all else would follow with comparative facility. Then, out of her five hundred millions of people, she could readily afford the millions necessary to carry out this immense design.

The existing treaties between the United States and China being silent upon the important matters essential to the regulation of emigration between the two powers, the subjects of the Chinese Empire were entitled to maintain, in America, barely the natural ricrhts of man. It was evident that no grand scheme of emigration could be launched under such adverse circumstances.

But the whole scheme of conquest having been settled as a mere question of expediency, was admitted in that particular. It remained only to consider its practicability. The guarantees of existing treaties being insufficient to favor a scheme of emigration such as would be necessary to transfer any considerable portion of the population of China to our shores, further treaty stipulations must be entered into. But how, at this time, to solicit negotiations heretofore tendered herself, and rejected with disdain, was, indeed, a problem more difficult of solution than it might, at first, seem.

The exclusive and haughty character of the Ta- Tsing Government rendered it quite impossible that overtures should now come from China. Any such action would be inconsistent with, as well as a reflection upon, her dignity, and contrary to her policy and her traditions, extending back into the shadows of pre-historic times.

But chance, and the aptitude to turn fortuitous circumstances to account (which has always been a mark of successful statesmanship), now pointed to a plausible, if not a quite honorable, procedure for the amplification of the treaty stipulations between the high contracting parties.

Anson Burlingame was at this time Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to China. Prince Kung and another able statesman of the Empire, named Wein-Siang, affected, very suddenly, to have discovered in our Minister a knowledge of the world and of men, besides other qualifications which would make him a valuable attache of the Foreign Office of China. He was accordingly invited by Wein-Siang, whose action was approved and seconded by Prince Kung, to accept the position of Envoy to the Treaty Powers, to represent the Chinese Empire.

Now, the American people, however excellent at home, or liberal abroad, are exceedingly susceptible to the influences which play about Imperial Courts, and which promise, however remotely, to confer class distinction upon the individual ; and this passion for rank- distinction is perhaps the most ludicrous and contemptible phase of the American character. Burlingame was not an exception to his countrymen. His position as Minister of the United States shrunk into insignificance at the brighter prospect of representing China as her Envoy to the Treaty Powers ; and, accordingly, to accept that position, he, on the 21st of November, 1867, resigned his office as Minister, in the following grandiloquent and crushing phraseology, addressed to the State Department, at home :

" Sir : — In the interest of my country and of civilization, I do hereby resign my commission as

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States to China ;" and became a high functionary of the Chinese Empire. No sooner was this appointment promulgated by the Imperial decree, which was signed on the day immediately following, than the scheme, for the advancement of which he had been promoted and betrayed, was considered in State Council.

In justice to Mr. Burlingame, however, it must be admitted that he never suspected the treachery that lay hidden at the bottom of his elevation ; and up to the hour of his death, which occurred soon after the treaty was made, and before its ratification, it had never flashed upon his mind that he had been betrayed into a foreign conspiracy against the independence of his country and the freedom of his race.

It is needless to enter further into the details of the treaty of 1868, which has become a part of the history of both countries, and is familiar to all. Suffice it to say, that, through the successful manipulation of an ex- Minister of one country, who had become the Envoy of another, the United States were placed in the attitude of solicitor, to whose plaint the cunning statesmen of China finally gave a hypocritical consent.

Thus was opened up a scheme of invasion which has since been conducted to the utmost limit that American endurance would tolerate. For many years this immigration has flowed incessantly, landing at the various ports on the Pacific sea-board of the United States hundreds of thousands of Coohe laborers. To further expedite the work of invasion and hasten the hour for final occupation, a scheme of immigration was fixed upon by which every immigrant was assured a support. Companies were organized, ostensibly as private enterprises, but virtually chartered, controlled and directed by the central government at home. These were known in America as the Six Chinese Companies — of which, more hereafter — whose agents were commissioned by the Emperor ; and, by the same authority, exercised the functions of legislative and judicial officers as well as virtual governors of the Chinese people in America.