Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-05-06
THE APPREHENSION OF ASSASSINATION.

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seeond-class matter)
THE APPREHENSION OF ASSASSINATION.
Many friends of President Cleveland are
much concerned about his personal safety.
It is well-known fact that he has re-
ceiyed, or those around him have received,
many anonymous letters threatening his
life. Every precaution has been taken to
prevent the execution of these threats.
They come, in many instances, no doubt,
from bloodthirsty assassins, but oftener from
downright lunatics; but no matter how con-
yincing the theory that Guiteau was Insane
may be, there is no practical relief in it, 1t
NAV have been the hand of a lunatic that
sent a bullet into the vitals of President
Garfield. Whether man of diseased mind
or wilfu assassin fires the shot or plies
the dagger is distinction which is of no
moment to the victim. The physical result
is the same in either case.
To the public it must seem that the life
of President Cleveland is sad one, as must
be that of his immediate family, being con,
stanty confronted with the thought of as
sassinaton Since be has taken possession
of the White House every available bar 10
the entrance of crazed or vicious person
after dusk in the evening has been raised.
Every Washingtonian remembers what
sombre appearance the White House pre-.
sented at night, even in the gay times of
President Arthur, who was probably the best
lover Of the table, and all the accessories of
the table, that has ever occupied the Execu
tive office. Since President Cleveland has
become the lessee of the Executive Mansion
electric lights have been placed ut the great
gates in front of the main entrance to the
house, at both wings of the building, and in
its rear. They begin to glare early in the
EVENING" little before dark-and are not
dispensed with till the sunlight of the next
morning is in full play. The grounds are
heavily policed, making it almost impossible
for any intruder to gain an entrance.
President Cleveland is yet to be seen on
Pennsylvania avenue, the crowded thor
oughfare and gala street of the capital, and
his feet have never yet touched the more
more unfrequented streets. His insepara-
BILE companion is Col. Lamont, who drives
with him daily about o'clock in the after.
noon. They ride in a very close and strong
ly built coupe, deep seated one, in which
the occupant, leaning back, we'll nigh es-
capes observation. The horses are driven
are not to stop upon any pretext.
Mr.. Cleveland is as much q prisoner to.
day as q. man under the condemnation of
the law No suspect" under the strictest
is haunted as he is. He gives
the impression of q man of great GOODNESS,
who would not exaggerate danger, and who
would go no further in precautions than
common prudence and the dictates of COM
mon sense would demand. The threaten
ing letters, as rule, assign no cause for the
hostility of the writers. The wrongs they
assume to suffer under are the products of
disordered minds.
Times have changed since the days of
Grants presidency, when, go where you
might in Washington, he was to be
seen at some time or another. A great
pedestrian, he appeared to take delight in
exploring new streets and finding new
walks. Every sunny afternoon Grant was
almost sure to be seen on "the avenue" He
was nearly always alone. His many friends
knew that in walking he liked the privilege
of being unaccompanied. No detective
dogged his steps, and he never for an instant
dreamed of an assault.
There was q man who, when he came to
Washington to enter upon the presidency,
had grounds to fear that his life might be
sought. That was Rutherford B. Hayes.
Assuming seat that great opposition
party aad many prominent men in his own
party claimed he had no right to, his posi-.
tion was indeed dangerous one. In March,
1877, there was feeling of unsafety in the
United States. The brightest and strongest
minds feared the result Of the great electoral
dispute Revolution was threatened, assas-
sination openly advocated by newspapers
and individuals, and everything portended
a storm-a rough future tor the new Presi-
dent Yet Hayes daily took his exercise on
foot through the crowded streets of Wash
ington, upaccompanied.
The assassination of President Garfield
was followed by threats of vengeance on
Vice President Arthur, and they had not
ceased when. he became President. For
time his close friends were alarmed, and
Welding to their persuasion and his own
timorous disposition be was unapproach-
able and often unseen for days. His fears
gradually gave way. From being recluse,
he became a conspicuous figure on foot,
horseback and in carriage.
President Cleveland probably does we'll
to avoid crowds of people at this time.
Men fearful of dismissal on account Of politi-
cal propensties, supposed to be in opposi-
ton to those of the President, or those wild
through disappointment, are in no frame
of mind to be met by the man having the
disposal of all the positions of profit and
preferment.
Be the cause what it may, President
Cleveland is to-day prisoner in the White
House. His friends claim for him stalwart
courage, and say that he yields to their
solicitationsard not to his own wishes. He
is not the rugged and ruddy man he was
when he came from Albany. Some of the
twinkle of his eye has departed, and, al
though his frame has lost nothing of its
substantial massiveness, he has not the
heathful glow his friends would like to see.
There is an appearance of too long sitting a;
the table and too little exercise. No doubt
the President is tired of confinement
Wash. dispatch to Cincinnati Enquirer.
THE above must have been written by .
man with diseased mind.l