[expedition32]

Because there was a difference between what the PEOPLE wanted and what the ELITES wanted.

The railroad barron needed cheap labour and didn't give a flying fuck about the KKK clowns marching in Washington.

[johncole]

Is this any different than Europe, Asia?

[DaSHacka]

This has always been the case all throughout modern history though

The elites always want cheaper labor, while the existing domestic workforce usually opposes such measures (as it obviously devalues their labor)