What Is Clancy's Ethos Of The Johnson-Reed Act

Detroit Congressman, Robert H. Clancy, in his 1924 speech, “An Un-American Bill”, argues against the racial influence applied in the composition of the Johnson-Reed Act. Clancy’s purpose is to explain to Congress why the Johnson-Reed Act makes America seem like a racist country. He adopts a straightforward tone in order to convince his audience, Congress, that the Johnson-Reed Act does not reflect American principles. Clancy supports his argument of racial discrimination and biased viewpoints present in the Johnson-Reed Act and throughout America by using ethos, pathos, and logos. Clancy begins his speech by first establishing his credibility, or using ethos. He appeals to the audience’s questioning of his stance on the bill by stating his personal experience with the subject. “The people of my own family

Clancy’s use of pathos ties in with his use of ethos. “I learned more of the spirit of American history at my mother’s knee than I ever learned in my four years of high school study of American history and in my five and a half year of study at the great University of Michigan” (Clancy 23). His personal anecdotes like that, which are not only pathos but ethos as well, make the audience feel his connection to the topic. He was grown up and raised taught about the spirit of American history. It’s a part of him, even as someone who is a “hyphenate”. Along with his family being hyphenates, he has family ties to the subject. “... leaving his six small children in Detroit when he marched away to the southern battlefields to fight against racial distinctions and protect his country” (Clancy 21). Although he was a hyphenate, Clancy’s grandfather still fought and made the same sacrifices as others from the Union did. Clancy knows, because of his family history, that being an American is not dependent upon where you are born, but for the unconditionality you show to your