The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-08-13
A NATIONAL QUESTION

come under the same category. The at.
tempted assassination of the president has
madei it apparent that perhaps we should
have such treaties with every foreign govern.
ment in existence with which we
have any kind of comfy OF relation
whatsoever. Suppose Gaiteau, when hes
Tired bis cas-! iron pistol and gave the presi.
dent ilesh wound, had escaped, and getting
away from America in disguise, had in a
couple of weeks turned up in Russia or
Belgium or England? Every citizen of this
country would have thought it an outrage
that he could not be apprehended and brought
to justice. We mention England along with
Russia and Belgium because while
that country will spend millioa pounds
sterling, if necessary, to appreheid the mis-
cradle wretch who FORCES ten dollar check,
or who, Us Jean Vatican did, breaks win
dow pane to snatch loaf of bread to ap-
pease the ravenous cries of children for food,
the conspirator who Aings bomb. to
take The life of sovereign can walk the
streets OF London with immunity, can
even enjoy the Inequalities
OF Belgrade aquareupper-tendom, in safety.
Herr Most who writes and publishes in his
little seven by ton newspaper, 10 London,
that it 10 divine right of the people to kill
tyrannical kings, must be arrested, tried ant
Imprisoned at penal servitude fora term of
years, put Hartmann, who laya the plans
for kingly murder, who directs the instru-
ments of his conspiracy who threw the
murderous bombs, 10 safe from any
official annoyance throughout Great Britain
Ye!, if Guitesu had escaped to countries we
name We could not have officially demanded
HIM, For that reason, Mr. Blaine, secretary
OF state, and next to the president, the head
OF the administration, intimates to the pub
lie that it will be the policy of the govern
ment to arrest Leo Hartmann, nihilist bomb
taroWer and highway murderer, if
the Russian government asks il. We take
II that this inhmation on the part of Mr.
Blanc is simply q bit of strategy to make
good Impression upon Russia, end Of tie
same time TO warn Hartmann TO change his
base, which be did by going to Canada
where as in England he is safe. Elsewhere
We publish tho correspondence between
Harlmsnn's counsel, bssed.,upon ne wspaper
io'erview with Mr. Hit, assistant secretary
o. state, and Mr.. Blaine's answer TO him. 1t
Will DO seen that Mr.. Blaine
puts in his disclaimer rs to Mr.. Hits ex,
pressions of opinion. Tic trouble with Hart
mann and his counsel, and all the nihilist
leaders, or, In other words, the nihiIistic idea,
il that political scts and assassination are
COMPOUNDED. We have nothing TO say abou!
the cause of nlhilism--thst ia its claims 10
Efforts in behalf of liberty and constitu-
tional and fteer government for Rus.
sin, but she waylaying and murder
ing OF man is no act
In iurtherance of the cause of liberty or no
litlcal freedom. This can only be- accom-.
plished by revolution, and the Staying of one
man is not revolution. Tho American colo
nis's, more than hundred years ago, re.
Boiled against the tyranny of Great Britain
They did it by the organization of armies,
by meeting in solemn conclsve by their
chosen delegates, and the declaration of in.
dependence; by setting up new governs
mont, the fortunes of which they submitted
TO the srbitrament Of battle 10 fair and hon
orsble warfare. SO has it been in every
country where the people have raised up in
revolution against their rulers and their
government. This is not the case in Russia,
for Mr.. Leo Hartmann and his nihilist
brethren resort only 10 dynamite bombs for
The murder Of the czsr and tho assassin's
rifle in the darkness for detectives and minor
)thcers, even to the taking of the lives Of
women. When people appeal TO arms in
revolution other governments stand aloof for
virtually so, until the fate of war decides
tina! revolution. Tho revolutionists are rec
Ognzed from the outstsrt as belligurenls, ss
Ia the cGee Of the late confederaey, and as
bolligerents they have rights that are respect
I'd, which mere conspirators and assassius,
No in the case of Mr.. Hartmann and bis
friends do not have. The confe.
l,rate ministers Mason and Slidel, |
captured by uaisn man of war
on board the British steamer, Trent, on the
high seas, were released under the laws of
nations, because they were, as the represen,
.ative Of belligerents, entitled to the protecs
lion OF sbo British flag. When President
Lif9oln stole into Washington city 10 be
disguised in his Scotch cap and
pla'd, in 1861, If tho southern people had
been content to mouth and
gtumble, and through fow men
throw dynamite bombs, with which
10 unimely take him off, oil Europe would
have proclaimed them, not belligerents but
assassins aud II the real murderers had fed 10
Europe they could not have remained there.
In time Of profound peace tho president Of
this lyernment has teen shot down by a
cruel assassin. Ga tho heels of 1t, Hartmann,
who Is tho head centre OF the Russian as
en-. .lns, comes here Boosting of what no has
done snd directed, and tho question Of his