The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-09-18
A Good Man Has Fallen.

Editor Morning News: The work of
Czolgosz is completed, the assassin has
proved a more potent force than the
combined prayers of the civilized
world; all we had hoped and longed for
has come to naught, and we are face
to face with the problem: How can
these crimes be prevented? Ever since
the world began, the assassin has been
put to death; sometimes by legal pro-
cess, sometimes by the populace. yet of
what avail is it? The evil deeds con-
TRUE and we are powerless to prevent.
have a friend gifted in speech. who
is wont to discourse of public matters
In most interesting manner. He holds
to the opinion that the recent attempt
to kill the President is certainly per-
mitted. He hesitates over a more ex-
plicit statement, but believes that
Providence permits such acts in order
that there may be a more complete
restoration of the Union of the states.
When he begins upon this subject
become a listener, not limiting at any
disagreement for this would be in
vain. He often refers to himself as "A
wcrm of the dust" yet take care not
to tread upon him, for he would be GER
tain " luiA
When President Garfield was killed
he took the same view, and was en-
thusiastic over the prospect of a more
complete Union. When the Spanish
American war was inaugurated, and
the title of Gen. Wheeler was confirm
ed by President Mckinley and he sent
forth to aid in the extension of the
area of freedom, the enthusiasm of
my friend knew no bounds. He does
not seem TO care to compass a "Restor-
cd Union only that the healing pro-
cess shall continue indefinitely.
It is very desirable that the work OF
restoration shall continue, but 1t seems
hardly worth while to engage in pc
rfodic asSassinations, nor yet in for
eign wars. One sign of a consumated
union is shown in a recent speech by
the President, in which he hints at a
possible condition when a modification
of existing tariff may not be unwise
That large and intelligent class Of
thinkers who believed that the hasty
injection of the Southern negro into
politics was unwise and a menace to
good government, and who yet hold
that his temporary or permanent re-
tirement would be a public blessing,
would hail with joy any action by the
federal authorities which should look
to giving the people Of the South OPP
portunity to select their own office
holders, instead Of as now being COM
PEELED to submit to a humiliating pro-
cess of debt-paying by the Republican
politician, resulting in negro officials
in the South, an indignity which would
not be attempted in the North. or If
attempted would be repudiated by the
community. A restored union will re-
suit from wise living; the process will
be slow; we need to understand each
the other, and to exercise a large toll
erance where radical differences exist,
knowing that differing points of view
call for recognition; so we learn that
there is need always for strict observ-
awe of law and a large measure of
self restraint.
The sorrow and Indignation felt by
the entire community over the attack
upon the President finds various ex-
preston, mostly creditable to our hui
man nature; yet there comes at times
a discordant note and we realize that
the suggestion of vengeance is calcu-
lated to place the public almost in the
attitude of the wretched culprit One
notable utterance has been made prom
inent 1t would have been an act of
kindness TO suppress. The presiding
elder of the Washington ID. CO dis
trict (Methodlst) says from his pulpit
| of | had been there with a pistol,
would have blown the wretch 70
atoms" He adds also some words fav-
orlng a lynching. This would have
less Significance II uttered in private,
but as an exhortation to sinners as
sembled for worship It's influence must
be in greater or less degree harmful
The question is often asked. Why are
the pews ampty?" Possibly while mer
recognize a need for public worship
| and humiliation they may not ind II