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GOVERNMENT WEAKNESS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 6, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 1.

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GOVERNMENT WEAKNESS.

By Editor

THAT this great republic is not all-powerful even in its own jurisdiction, is shown when a single county can hinder the operation of a Federal treaty with a foreign country. There is threatened a general uprising in Tuolumne County, Cal., to drive out all the Chinese residents. The ore sorters of a large mine have already been driven out, and are not allowed to return. This is in violation of the treaty with China, and Secretary of State Hay has notified Governor Pardee that the Chinese must be protected. But the governor can only protect them by calling out the militia, and he can not do this until notified by the county authorities that they are unable to give the desired protection, or until it is shown that they are not trying to do so. As the Tribune of this city says, "The national government is without the constitutional power to keep its agreements in the face of popular objection in a community, as has been repeatedly shown. When mobs have violated our treaty engagements the government can only pay an indemnity, as it did in the Rock Springs, Col., massacre and the lynching of Italians in New Orleans. It can pay, but not protect."
The recognized principles of State and local government deprive the national government of exercising police control excepting over government property and employees. "Therefore," continues the Tribune, "when popular sentiment in a particular locality is in opposition to the rights conferred on foreigners by treaty, the government is without the necessary authority to make good its engagements. It can not protect the Chinese in Tuolumne County; it can only indemnify them for loss or injury."All of which goes to demonstrate that man can not make a perfect government. He may patch and
amend and revolutionize, and politically "Christianize," and prosecute and persecute, and go to the extent of human wisdom in political science, but not until He who is perfect shall have established His throne, will there ever be a perfect government on earth. "We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness;" then everything will be perfect.