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homas Nast's "The American River Ganges" appeared in the May 8, 1875 issue of Harper's Weekly. The cartoon reflects the widespread nativism of the time, which was expressed freely and frequently in mainstream media outlets and in political life. The cartoon depicts Catholic bishops as crocodiles threatening public school students, who are defended by an individual carrying a Bible in his coat. The building in the background on the left resembles St. Peter's Basilica, and "Political Roman Catholic Church" is written across the front. The lower building immediately to the right is labeled "The Political Roman Catholic School." The ruins on the ridge farther to the right represent the "U.S. Public School," which flies the American flag upside down as a sign of distress.

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