During the 19th century, nativists and many indigenous residents of New York looked down on Irish immigrants because of their poverty and large numbers. The Irish symbolized misery and despair and stereotyped them as criminals. Their poor appearance caused many people, especially those who agreed with nativist ideology, to look at them with disgust. Additionally, the New York Draft Riots of 1863 did little to help public opinion toward the Irish. Bitter at the injustice of the new bills, the rioters took desperate measures. The rioters were predominantly Irish and participated in the burning and looting of several buildings. The rioters caused several deaths and injuries to the leader of the chaos from July 13 to 16. An article in Harper's Weekly featured several drawings depicting the madness. The images showed violent fights with police, the lynching of an African-American, the ruins of a building and the looting of a store. These images illustrate the destructive and disturbing actions of the rioters. The New York Draft Riots only increased the public perception that Irish immigrants were dangerous and harming the United States. The new wave of Irish immigrants created competition for jobs and territory in the city, which caused a growth in anti-Catholic nativism. Many Irish immigrants hoped to escape famine and sought new opportunities and were willing to work for low wages to support their families. Nativists saw themselves as superior to foreigners because they believed they helped build the United States and that immigrants benefited from it. In Orvilla S Belisile's novel titled The Arch Bishop: or Romanism in the U...... middle of paper ...... involved in the riot but did not include any details about religions or ethnicities of the American rioter. This is notable because it could lead to targeting a specific group while generally referring to Americans would cause them to slip under the public radar. In the article entitled Ireland in America, the author draws attention to the large number of immigrants arriving from "foreign countries" experiencing political and social unrest and who are "cast among us." His use of language demonstrates some concern about the large number of Irish immigrants arriving in New York. However, the writer shows sympathy for the difficulties the Irish faced in their homeland and states that the Irish immigrated to avoid the "jaws of famine". 7 His tone is optimistic that the Irish will "grow with the American tree vigorous and fruitful" and become productive members of society..