Julia Sand – Letter 11

 Context

Following President Arthur’s veto of the first Chinese Exclusion Act, Congress revised the bill, cutting the time frame of most provisions by half – including reducing the ban on Chinese immigration from twenty years to ten years. This revised bill had stronger support in Congress – and on May 6, 1882, President Arthur opted to sign this second, watered-down version of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Letter 11

May 1882

 

Hon. C. A. Arthur.

 

What is there to admire in mediocrity? Why do you take such comfort in half measures? Does it never strike you that there must be back of them only half a mind – a certain half heartedness – in fact, only half a man? Why do you not do what you do with your whole soul? – or have you only half of one? When you vetoed the Chinese Bill, the better class of people throughout the country were delighted. Now you sign it. And what is the difference, as it now stands? In quantity less, but in quality just as idiotic & unnecessary as the first. Unnecessary legislation is a positive evil, in any case, but this is worse, for it is contrary to the spirit of our institutions & the civilization of the age. The Czar of Russia might well respond to your remonstrance against the persecution of the Jews, with an expostulation against your persecution of the Chinese. Wouldn’t you feel rather small, if he did? The bill must be either a dead letter, or a firebrand. Whom do you expect to be benefitted by one or the other? You have not even the poor excuse of a party measure – it was Democratic when it passed.

 

Are you going to let your administration be a failure? Cannot you realize that there is only one kind of success that deserves the name? What you do now, if you do right, will wash out all the harm you ever did in your life – but nothing that you can do after will obliterate your Presidential record. That will stand, for, or against you – for, or against the good of the country. For, or against the good of the country, while you are in power – but for or against yourself, forever. Think of it. Cannot you rouse yourself to a higher code of action? You have an impartial mind, when you choose to exert it. Can nothing but the present pang of suffering give you an earnest soul?

 

Yours sincerely,

J. I. S.

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Letter 12 – Faith restored in Arthur; health struggles; sees purpose in influencing Arthur to good