Item 003

THE WYOMING MASSACRE

Harper’s Weekly, September 19, 1885, page 611 (Editorial)

The massacre of the Chinese laborers in Wyoming is one of the crimes which disgrace a people, because it is due to the jealousy and hatred of a race. In excluding the Chinese from the country by law we have especially stigmatized them, and common decency and humanity should lead us to protect those of them who unfortunately happen to be among us, and whom the law shows that we wish were somewhere else.


	"Here's A Pretty Mess!" (In Wyoming) September 19, 1885, page 623

To carry a gang of Chinese laborers far away from the usual safeguards of civilization and beyond the reach of protection, among those who hate them, and who will not hesitate to maim and murder them, is to do something which should not be allowed except under ample security of proper protection. It is not to be supposed that it can be done safely without such protection, and it is a question for the casuists whether, if we may properly prohibit the coming of a people into the country, we may not also properly prohibit their employment, since it is the prospect of employment which tempts them to come.

It was the old boast of America that it was the refuge of the oppressed from all parts of the world. But every nation may justly decide under what circumstances and conditions emigration from other countries shall be allowed, if permitted at all. But it would seem that if the coming of a particular people is so dangerous and threatening as to justify exclusion, those who are not or can not be excluded should be held under such surveillance that they would be protected from wanton injury. The government has properly sent troops to the scene of the Wyoming massacre. But if Chinese laborers are to be employed there, the country should be fully garrisoned.

Harper’s Weekly, September 19, 1885, page 611 (Editorial)

This site is brought to you by…