Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-16
AasaaaIns In AmerIca.

The attempted assassination of President
Mckinley betokens the existence OF a for
nidable body OF anarchists in this coun-
try-a combine TO be dreaded.
Tt win not be forgotten that an anarch-
ist, living In Paterson, n. j., crossed the
Atlantic ocean only a year or two ago
and assassinated King Humbert Of Italy.
From the newspaper reports Of today 1t
would appear that the creature who shot
the president also belongs to an organic
alton inimical TO kings, potentates and rul-
ers everywhere.
Il IL also evident that mild and con-
servative rulers are treated with less hu-
manity than such men as Emperor VIII
liam OF Germany.
King Humbert was a real friend to the
Italian nation. Queen Margherita was
not only a generous hearted queen, but a
tender sympathizer with Italian peasant
women. Yet these anarchists have abso-
lutely no respect for generous, conserva-
tive people in authority. for they seem to
make such rulers sure targets for their
wrath and violence. II Is the irony Of fate
that sympathizing. humane kings should
be victims OF the anarchists stiletto,
bomb or bullet.
The killing OF King Humbert by an as
sassin residing in the United States and
the attempted murder OF President Nc
Kinley b. one OF the same faith and order
raises a very serious question which Is
bound TO arouse feeling and provoke dis
cussion everywhere, namely. shall such
combinations or leagues OF assassins be
permitted to harbor IN this country with
liberty 20 hatch up and perfect vile plans
for the destruction OF all persons in au-
thority7
America is often called the '1and Of the
free and the home OF the brave" Never
10 ra4r ~ Ia an
order in a free country or freedom because
nothing but myth in a republic. II is
not a free country which shelters assas-
sins who lie IN wait for the law abiding
citizens and who disobey rules of order
and destroy good government.
II was a miserable craven which offered
its hand to Mr.. Mckinley under the guise
OF respect and loyalty merely 10 murder
the president
It required a sordid. hlack-hearted mall
content TO carry out such plot. No mat
ter what sort Of an order or combine men
may join in desire to right their wrongs,
so-called. nobody with a spark of man
hood in their makeup would have done
such dirty deed as this assassin in Buff
falo attempted, when he clasped the pres
dents hand IN a supposed welcome and
kind greeting. with the intention Of de-
stroying his life.
as saying: THE william should have been
lynched on the spot"
An aged friend OF ours, full of modera-
ton and good will as his rule in life, said
today. THE murderer should have been
burned alive as soon as arrested"
Indignation is unable 10 frame an cpl
tibet which would fit such a miscreant or
Indicate the punishment which is COM
mensurate with the enormity Of the
crime.
A short rope and a quick sentence may
satisfy the demands Of the law. but the
assassin would be much more humanity
treated, even then, than he was willing
to treat others.
Guiteau cost the government many
thousands Of dollars, when a rope on the
nearest limb would have been too good
for him. IL will tax the patience Of this
country II this late president slayer does
not get a short shrift and the hangman's
rope as soon as a court can assemble to
sentence him.
The laws delay has much 10 do with
the impatience Of the populace when out
RACES are perpetrated on the innocent and
helpless. especially when the villains are
allowed TO Inger in jail well fed and
sometimes petted, BY maudlin sympathiz-
ers. when their guilt is overwhelming.
Something must be done to curb this
spirit OF vengeance among anarchists and
there must be some legislation that will
stamp out the breeding grounds Of these
secret murderers in the United States.
Nihilism In Russia and the Malta in
Italy may find sympathizers elsewhere,
but an oath-bound organization with
secret murder as the court OF final resort
can never be respected or tolerated among
civilized nations.
In closing this article II Is well to say
that the south is congratulating itself that
President Mckinley met only kindness
and respect within its borders In the visit
ne made 10 Us during his first term in the
presidents ONCE. He needed no body guard
in the very heart Of the old-time Con-
federacy to secure his safety.
No living man or woman uttered a dis
respectful word in his hearing when he
faced multitudes Of southerners I'm many
open assemblies during his southern tour
Even General Sherman. who applied the
torch TO their homes and exiled helpless
women and children in Georgia. could SIT
at a banquet in Atlanta and receive the
most hospitabie treatment from its citi-
zenE.
There Is something IN this thought
which the south will do well TO remember
for its own satisfaction, when Buffalo
furnished an anarchist TO stab their own
presidents vitals. on a gala occasion ar
ranged by his own party friends