The Florida star., 1901-09-20
The Nation MOurns.


interest by the American people
than that of VIM. j. Bryan, our
presidents opponent in the. cam
paign of last year. In the first
issue of The Commoner following
the tragedy at Buffalo the follow
ing article appeared under the
above heading:
The nation bows in sorrow and in hu-
miliation--in sorrow because its chief
executive, its official head, is passing
through the valley of the shadow of
death-in humiliation because the presi-
dent of our republic has fallen victim
to the cruel and cowardly methods en-
ployed in monarchies where helpless and
hopeless subjects sometimes meet arbi-
trary power with violence.
In morals and in the contemplation of
law all lives are Of equal value-all are
priceless-but when seventy-five millions
of people select one of their number and
invest him with the authority which at
taches to the presidency he becomes their
representative and blow aimed at him
is resented as an attack upon all.
Beneath the partisanship of the indi-
vidual lies the patriotism of the citizen,
sometimes dormant, il is true, but always
active IN hours of peril or misfortune.
While the presidents life hangs in the
balance there are no party lines. The
grief of personal friends and close politi-
cal associates may be more poignant but
their sympathy is not more sincere than
that extended by political opponents.
Although none but his family and his
physicians are admitted TO his room, all
his countrymen are at his bedside in
thought and sentiment and their prayers
ascend for his recovery. 1t was charac-
teristic of his thoughtfnlness that, even
amid the excitement following the as
sault, he cautioned his companions not
to exaggerate his condition to his invalid
wife.
The latest dispatches give gratifying
news of his improvement, but there is
still deep sOlicitude lest unfayorable
symptoms may yet appear.
And the humiliation! Are our public
servants-those who are chosen by the
people and who exercise for limited
time the authority bestowed by the peO-
ple-are these to live in constant fear of
assassination? Is there to be no differ
ence between our constitutional govern
ment and those despotic governments
which rest, not upon the consent of the
governed, but upon brute force?
There is no place for anarchy in the
United States; there is no room here for
those who commit, counsel or condone
murder, no matter what political excuse
may be urged in its defense. The line
between peaceful agitation and violence
is clear and distinct We have freedom
of speech and freedom of the press IN
this country, and they are essential to
the maintenance of our liberties If anv
one desires TO criticize the methods of
government or the conduct of an official,
he has perfect right to do SO, but his
appeal must be TO the intelligence and
patriotism of his fellow citizens, not TO
force. Let no one imagine that he can
improve social or political conditions by
the shedding of blood.
Free governments Day be OverthroWn,
hut they cannot be reformed, by those
who violate the commandment, ''Thou
shalt not kill"
Under government like ours every
wrong can be remedied 10y law, and the
laws are in the hands of the people them
selves. Anarchy can be neither excused
nor tolerated here. The man who pro-
poses to right a public wrong by taking
the life of human being makes himself
an Ontlaw and cannot consistently APPEAL
to the protection of the government
which he repudiates. He invites a re-
turn To state of barbarism in which |
each one must, al his own risk, defend |
his own rights and avenge his own
The punishment administered To the |
assassin and to his co.conspira-
tors, if he has any, should be such as TO |
warn all inclined To anarchy that while |
this is All asylum for those who love lib |
erty it is All lnhuspitable place for those
who raise their hands against all forms of
government
The Situation In Stocks.