The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1901-09-13

citizen, which is given us by a govern
ment of the people, by the people and
for the people.
For the moment one has a fleeing
glimpse of what the doctrines of the an
archists mean, and the fear Of chaos and
its dire results make strong men shudder
and look with anxiety and apprehension
to their loved ones at home.
***
But it is only for the moment. Great
indeed are the memories of Garfield and
Lincoln, strong and statesmanlike is
Mckinley, but God reigns. The people
and not the president are the foundation
and basis of our government. The
shooting of a president is painful but not
vital. Thousands and thousands OF lives
were given for the preservation of the
Union in 1861.85 and Lincoln was one of
these, but the government lived on, in
spite of these awful losses of the best of
its citizens.
Three presidents shot in thirty.six
years by the hand of the assassin. The
first, during the heat, passion and cha
grin of defeat in the closing hours of an
internecine war. The second at the
close of bitter political fight, but the
third in time of perfect political and
national peace, in year of profound
progress and prosperity, at an exposition
whose keynote was the brotherhood Of
the nations of Pan America.
*x*
This awful crime is the result of an
archistic teaching. The anarchist be-
lieves in the utter abolition of all govern
ment, of all law, even down to that of
the marriage relation, on which the
whole fabric of home life is built and
ruled. They are not satisfied with belief
only, but they teach resistance to all
legal authority and the murder of any
and all officials high or low who repre-
Sent law. That is, by their own doctrine
they declare themselves enemies to the
death, of all the rest of humanity, and
thereby voluntarily put themselves be-
yond the pale of the law, and by their
own teachings they should be treated as
we treat wild beasts.
*x*
II it were not that we are law-abiding
people, the blood of hundreds of anar-
chists might even now be flowing in the
streets of many of our cities. as a direct
consequence of the act of their creature,
and as far as their own doctrines teach,
without opportunity of logical defense or
sympathy. The teachers of assassins
have nothing to offer why they should
not suffer death by lynching.
*x*
| But because of law, and because we
are not anarchists, there must be no
lynching. But the hand of the law must
be further strengthened, must be length
ened, until under its provisions every
mae or woman who publicly declares
ennity to law and government shall be
compelled at least to believe in the
power of the law. Public expression of
anarchism should be deemed treason
and the offender taught that the punish
ment of treason is death.
*x*
| Even from the anarchist view, no more
useless Or purposeless act could have
been perpetrated than tine assassination
of President Mckinley. The Gar or
Sultan in their own persons represent
more or less autocratic and arbitrary
power. The president is simply an ex-
ecutive whose personal powers are as
limited as those of the humblest citizen.
and whose public acts are governed by
the strictest rules.
*x*
Personally, Mr.. Mckinley is one of the
most genial and kindly of men. His
portraits with his features in repose,
look stern, but when met personally, his
face relaxes into winning smile and a
very pleasant expression. We can hardly
understand what kind Of heart the assas-
sin could have who would shoot man
who advanced with such a pleasant face
and extended hand to greet him.
~
Up to this period we think history will
record Washington, Lincoln and McKin-
ley as the three greatest presidents. The
greatness ofmen and presidents depends
both on natural ability and on circum-
stances surrounding them. Any man
will rise to some extent to the occasion.
Since McKinley's election we have had
three wars, the Spanish, the Philippine
and the Chinese. These wars, while not
great in the loss to our armies, yet in re-
suits are fully equal to the war of the
Revolution and to the war Of the Union.
The Revolutionary war was for life, that
of the Union for existence, the Spanish
and Chinese wars Tor position. Dur
ing the last four years the United States