The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-10-01
A. TRIBUTE FROM BRYAN.
WHAT THE COMMONER" SAYS OF
MCKINLEY.
Graceful and Patriotic Tribute to the
Nations Chosen Head from His
Principal Opponent before the People

The following is from "The Common
err William j. Bryan's paper. 1t was
written before President Mckinley died.
but while his life yet hung in the bal
anCe.
The nation bows in sorrow and in
humiiation-in sorrow because it's 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 a victim
to the cruel and cowardly methods en-
ployed in monarchies where helpless
and hopeless subjects sometimes meet
arbitrary power with violence.
In morals and in the contemplation
of law all lives are of equal Value-all
are prceless-but when seventy-five
millions of people select one of their
number and invest him with the autho-
rity which attaches to the presidency
he becomes their representative and a
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, it is true but al
ways active in hours of peril or mis-
fortune. While the presidents life
hangs in the balance there are no party
lines. The grief of personal friends and
close political associates may be more
poignant but their sympathy is not
more sincere than that felt by poll
teal opponents. Although none but
his family and his physicians are admit
ted to his ROOM all his countrymen are
at his bedside in thought and sentiment
and their prayers ascend for his recov-
cry. 1t was characteristic of his
thoughtfulness that, even amid the eX-
citement following the assault, he eau
toned his companions not to eXaggerate
his condition his invalid wife.
The latest dispatches give gratifying
news of his improvement, but there is
still deep solicitude lest unfavorable
symptoms may yet appear.
And the humiliation! Are our public
servants--those who are chosen by the
people and who exercise for a limited
time the authority bestowed by the peo-
ple-are these to live in constant fear
of assassination? Is there to be no diff
ference between our constitutional gov
eminent and those despotic govern
ments which rest. not upon the con-
sent 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 Tree
dom of speech and freedom of the press
in this country, and they are essential
to the maintenance of our liberties. If
any one desires to CritiCise the methods
of government or the conduct of an Of
fetal he has a perfect right to do So
but his appeal must be to the intelli-
gence and patriotism of his fellow ci-
items, not to force. Let no one imagine
that he can improve social or political
conditions by the shedding of blood.
Free governments may be over
thrown, but they cannot be reformed,
by those who violate the commandment,
Thou shalt not kill
Under a government like ours, every
wrong can be remedied by law and the
laws are in the hands of the people
themselves. Anarchy can be neither
excused nor tolerated here. The man
who proposes to right a public wrong by
taking the life of human being makes
himself an outlaw and cannot con-
sistently appeal to the protection of the
government which he repudiateS. lie
invites a return to a state of barbarlsm
in which each one must, at his own risk
defend his own rights and ayenge his
own wrongs.
The punishment administered to the
would-be assassin and to his co-conspl-
rators. if he has any, should be such as
to warn all inclined to anarchy that
while this is an asylum for those VINO
love liberty it is an inhospitable place
for those who raise their hands against
all forms of government