“The question now before us is how best to serve the nation’s interests in the disposition of or employment of the negro? I believe I can best illustrate the question by instituting a comparison between the negro and the races of men that the fortune of war has placed under our care. Chinese Versus Negroes. “Under the above caption, in 1891, for some reason which I at this moment do not recall, the Boston Herald was giving in its editorial columns considerable attention to the discussion, ‘Chinese vs. Negroes.’ Several articles appeared in it, justifying its opinions, when occasionally they were disputed by other journals, foremost among which I noted the Boston Journal. “I recall the matter now because the negro is the recipient of much attention, as before referred to, and because circumstances confronting our government at this time render the subject of extreme importance. Since then the United States has acquired territory very largely inhabited by Chinese and other Asiatic races, and the question becomes important immediately to the American people as to what policy shall be pursued in the future with reference to these races. “Shall the attempt be made to assimilate and ingraft these upon our tree, or shall they be replaced by negroes? “Were the fears which moved the American people in the past to exclude Asiatic races justified, or have we seen a new light? Is Christian civilization endangered by the presence of these people? All are potent questions at this time, requiring sound judgment and unerring decision; for we are not building for a day a temporary house, but one which it is hoped shall endure forever. “What may have been the questions which occupied the attention of the American people in the past in regard to the negro as a fit subject for assimilation within the body politic, there can be but little or no good reason for continuing those discussions now. Since the negro is already admitted to citizenship, guarded by constitutional enactment, and, whatever may be the difference of opinions as to his mental capacity, as compared with the Caucasian or Asiatic, there nevertheless remains the gratifying fact that no one has attempted to prove that his presence is in the least threatening to our Christian institutions. Indeed, it may be said, upon the other hand, that many thoughtful persons regard the negro’s presence as a comforting assurance, a bulwark for the preservation of the faith of the founders of our government.”