Where the Blame Lies Analysis

       Grant E. Hamilton conforms to the popular practice of using immigrants as scape goats for some of the nation's most pressing issues, claiming that restricting immigration would cause all these problems to disappear. The stereotypes reflected in the cartoon are those primarily of the political ideologies associated with each ethnicity. A strong nativist sentiment is shown in the fear with which these ideologies are regarded. Apart from being accused of introducing insidious political views to Amerrica, the immigrants are portrayed as having nothing to offer. Furthermore, their nationalities seem to be used in a rather derogatory fashion, as if the immigrants are inherently inferior by virtue of being foreign. This attitude has been seen before and since with regard to US sentiment on immigration. The same nativist reaction was seen earlier in the 19th century, as well as more recently with regard to Mexican immigration to the US.