The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-07-04
PRESS COMMENTS.
New York Evening Post.

to the aid of the spectators to-day is that the
death of President Garfield would have very
bad effect on our standing in Europe and
would lay the foundation for the charge that
the United States is becoming Mexicanized
and that in short our securities would be held
in distrust and wonld be returned to us in large
volume; also that so far as domestic affairs are
concerned, uncertainty as to the policy of the
new administration and delay before the same
is declared would be hurtful to business, and
ON the other hand if President Garfield lives
the attempt at the assassination of him will
make no more thansa temporary disturbance
in practical affairs.
The Post adds: The attempt on President
Garfield's life is no less grievous shock to tue
American people than that of the assassination
of President Lincoln. Every good citizen will
feel it disgrace.
New York Express.
The Express says there is but one party in
view of a crime like this. This country is not
large enoughsfor political assassins to live in.
The hand that would destroy constitutional
President would apply the torch to the temple
of liberty itself.
New York Tribune.
The Tribute heads its leader "Faction s lat
est crime" and says that President Garfield
yesterday was more popular than when elected.
There is absolutely nothing to account for this
horrible deed except crazy spirit of faction.
Every true American will rejoice if it appears
that the murderer was insane. 1t does not ap-
pear that he had been thought lunatic until
the deadly shots were fired. The assassin was
not ignorant that he was trying to kill one
President to make another. The spirit of fac
tion which fred the shots of yesterday gave in
that ;act the most complete evidence of its
real character Must we not realize in the
light of the dreadful calamity sat Washington
that those who breed and nurse this malign-
ant, grasping and desperate spirit are aiming
a blow at the life of the republic.
New York SIM
The Sun says: The sensation of profound
sorrow lis universal. The American people
are overwhelmed with grief. The death of
Gen. Garfield fortunately will have no politi-
cal significance. 1T was not the work of a
party or faction, but of one man in a state
of mental alienation. Our great holiday will
be converted into day of universal sorrow.
"The path of glory leads but to the grave"
New York Times.
The Times says: We are far from holding
any party or any section of party responsible
for this murderous act but we believe it our
ated expression of a sentiment of narrow and
bitter hatred which has been only too freely
INDUCED.
New York Herald.
Tha Herald says: Only madness could con-
ceive of the assassination of the President as
remedy for any imaginary governmental evil.
The tragedy has no political relations and is
only an expression of the insane impulses of an
individual.
Boston Herald.
The Herald says: Assassination is not, after
all, a political method in this country. A
sense of relief comes with that knowledge.
Sad and lamentable, and far-reaching in its
possible consequences, as is this act of frenzy,
it loses all sinister political significance when
it appears as the deed of disappointed office
seeker, who, through his disappointment, has
lost his wits. The assassination of President
Lincoln came upon the heels of long and
bitter war, which engendered the fiercest pas
sions. Horrible tragedy as it was, it was at
once seen to be exceptional and abnormal.
The circumstances now are quite different
Profound peace prevails; the country is pros
porous beyond precedent; no political issue of
deep importance divides the people. There
are traditional party lines, and in the domi-
nant party here and there squabble over the
offices. A political assassination at such a
time would shake confidence in the stability
of free institutions. Free, popular govern
ment would be almost a faiure-would be
driven to adopt the methods of despotsm for
protection-if Presidents in office were not
safe and honored. Fortunately, we are not
called upon to consider so dark q picture.
This shooting was as much an accident, in one
sense, as would be death or injury by a
railroad disaster. The poor creature who
committed the deed was hardly more response
BILE than misplaced switch or a broken rail.
Our accounts of him show that he was weak,
strange, passionate, with mind easily thrown
off its balance. He was disappointed office
seeker-taught, probably, to believe that the
offices are the legitimate "spoils' of politicel
victory, and driven to distraction by the belief
that he had not received his share. His boast
that he was "stalwart," and that his bloody
actshad secured "stalwart" President, should
not have any weight. Disaffected as some of
the "stalwarts' are, they look with horror up
on iced like this. Assassination has no
place in our political system. If ever justl-
fable where oppression has silenced every pop
ular complaint, it is entirely out of place and
unjustiiable in land of free speech and uni
versal suffrage. Entire confidence in this will
enable US to bear with composure whatever
consequences may follow.
Cincinnati Gazette.
The Gazette says: The country will now
pray the life of the President may be spared,
but if the worst should happen the govern
ment will still live and even this severe storm,
though it may effect men or party, will not
shake the republic.
Springfield Republican.
The Republican says the assassination of
President Garfield by disappointed office
seeker is confirmation of the spoils system.
London Papers.
The London papers express sympathy for
the President.l The Observer says there is no
evidence yet that the attempted assassination
comes under the category of political crimes