Chinese Exclusion (1898)
http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/robert_ingersoll/chinese_exclusion.html
Robert Green Ingersoll
The average American, like the average man of any country, has but
little imagination. People who speak a different language, or worship
some other god, or wear clothing unlike his own, are beyond the
horizon of his sympathy. He cares but little or nothing for the
sufferings or misfortunes of those who are of a different complexion
or of another race. His imagination is not powerful enough to
recognize the human being, in spite of peculiarities. Instead of this
he looks upon every difference as an evidence of inferiority, and for
the inferior he has but little if any feeling. If these "inferior
people" claim equal rights be feels insulted, and for the purpose of
establishing his own superiority tramples on the rights of the
so-called, inferior.
In our own country the native has always considered himself as much
better than the immigrant, and as far superior to all people of a
different complexion. At one time our people hated the Irish, then the
Germans, then the Italians, and now the Chinese. The Irish and
Germans, however, became numerous. They became citizens, and, most
important of all, they had votes. They combined, became powerful, and
the political parties sought their aid. They had something to give in
exchange for protection -- in exchange for political rights. In
consequence of this, they were flattered by candidates, praised by the
political press, and became powerful enough not only to protect
themselves, but at last to govern the principal cities in the United
States. As a matter of fact the Irish and the Germans drove the native
Americans out of the trades and from the lower forms of labor. They
built the railways and canals. They became servants. Afterward the
Irish and the Germans were driven from the canals and railways by the
Italians.
Robert Ingersoll
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http://tinyurl.com/iws6
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http://tinyurl.com/t8i2
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