If a Chinaman will come here and only pledge himself to be idle. if he come here clothed in "purple and fine linen." if he brings with him an army of adherents. lie may travel throughout the length and breadth of the land. if he will agree to keep a gambling shop. though it be under the very shadow of the sanctuary. though he and his followers darken the sun with the rabble that come and occupy their dens where they smoke in idleness their opium and play cards and gamble and toss up upon the venture of the die. though they bring vile women with them. provided they do not work for a living. they may come. Yes. as is suggested by my colleague. they can even join the bands of saints in California that throw stones at Chinese laborers. saying. "None of this. procul. 0! procd est profani. get behind me. ye hordes of Satan. let the godly people of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the other States of this Union enjoy the elevating influence and pious association of all other Chinese. but do not let them be contaminated by one who is vile enough to earn his living by labor! " That is this bill. Is there not as much danger to society. to social and political institutions in this land. from the arrival of an idle. worthless. dissipated Mongolian. as there is from the humble. docile laborer who earns his daily bread by the sweat of his brow and uses those earnings for what he consumes and what he wears? The Senator from Connecticut on the 8th of March. 1882. came very near quitting the Republican party on account of this measure. I am sorry to say.
Identified stereotypes
Idle Chinese are associated with gambling, opium dens, and vile women, while laborers are seen as less dangerous.