Session #63 · 1913–15

Speech #630424269

I am opposed to saddling the Government with an enormous expense to enforce a bill which can be so easily evaded. Another gentleman cries out in despair. "What are you going to do with the 4.000.000 idle men in this country?" In reply to that I would say: " Give them a little Republican legislation and a little less Democratic folly and you will do away with their idleness and put an end to the bread line." There are millions of acres yet to be cultivated in this country. railroads to be built. tunnels to pierce the mountains. and new industries to be established in every section. The time has not come when this Nation can afford to reverse its policy of more than a century and bar the worthy immigrant merely because he was deprived of educational opportunities beyond the seas. It is a mans character and not his education that determines his worth as a citizen. A rugged body. an i nnocent mind. and a pure heart. combined with a manly ambition. is far more preferable in a citizen to a decrepit physique. a vicious heart. and a criminal. cunning. educated mind. which enables the anarchist and the enemy of good government to pass through the gates of American opportunity while the unfortunate is denied admission. [Mr.
Identified stereotypes
Character is more important than education; immigrants with 'rugged body, innocent mind, and pure heart' are preferable to educated criminals.
Keywords matched
immigrant

Classification

Target group
Sentiment
Positive
Stereotyping
⚠️ Yes
Confidence
95%
Model
gemini-2.0-flash
Framing
Economic contributor

Speaker & context

Speaker
JAMES BURKE
Party
R
Chamber
H
State
PA
Gender
M
Date
Speech ID
630424269
Paragraph
#1
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