Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-09-07
THE PRESIDENT SHOT.

pr6Sluent S.iot it
Our Chief Executive yesterday morn
ing. in the full flush of health and
strength, this morning lowering be-
tween life and death.
Not since that memorable July Sat
urday Just 20 years ago, has bulletin
causing such CONSERVATION and sorrow
teen flashed over the American wires.
As was Lincoln and as was Garfield,
in the prime Of their greatness and
their usefulness to the country that
loved them. so now has been William
Mckinley struck down by the oowardly
hand of the assassin. Like a tremen-
dous crash of thunder when the skies
are cIear.was the news late Friday af-
ternoon, that shocked beyond express
sion our country and whole world.
When there<is peace and prosperity
deed-peace following a righteous war
wayed with mastery skill to 4 glorious
conclusion, and prosperity based upon
the sound and statesmanlike policies
of which William Mckinley has been
the exponent. And the place and cir
cumstances of the crime make it seem
all the more dastarlly-at the great
exposition dedicated to American good
will and cooperation. and with the
President mingling with his fellow cit
izens and gre ting them one by one as
they came forward to grasp his hand.
Only the previous day had he delivered
an address of which the full text ap-
peared in Fridays Journal. his first
public speech for several months. a
speech notable for lofty sentiments
splendid Americanism and clear grasp
of national ard international issues.
The spirit of the speech is well shown
in its closing words:
Gentlemen, let us ever remember
that our interest is in concord, not
conflict; and that our real en-
inence rests in the victories of
peace, not those of war. We hope that
all who are represented here may be
moved to 4 higher and nobler effort for
their own good and that out of this
merce and trade for us all. but more
essential than these, relations of mu-
tual respect. confidence and friendship
=. which will deepen and endure. Our ear
nest prayer is that God will graciously
vouchsafe prosperity, happiness and
peace to all our neighbors and like
blessings to all the peoples and powers
of the earth
What can we say of the wretch who
under the cover of a respectful greet
ing shot down in cold blood the mar
who had spoken those words, and no
only spoken them but meant them witt
all his heart and carried their spiri
into every activity of his high position
What seething chaos must have been il
his brain: what black hell in his heart
Where in the economy of nature
there a need for, the existence of sue
Z. vermin? The murder of Lincoln b.
Booth was bad enough, but it was jus
at the close Of a mighty conflict whe
the passions of men were at fever pitcf
Guiteau, in shooting Garfield, had a
hast the justification of fancied pc
ltical grievance But the man'who she
President Mckinley. as indicated i
last nights dispatches. is an anarchis
one of that band who are against a
law and order and all in power whel
ever they find them. 1t was nothing ,
him that William Mckinley has show
himself a Christian statesman belov,
and respected by his people He wou
accomplish nothing by his crime exec
to kill a good man and 4 great ruler
the national policy would not chang
the work begun would be carried G
His own life would pay the forfeit
the attempt; this he knew well. Y
cannot know yet whether he did Il
deed of his ON n initiative or wheth
the drawing of lots made him the tC
of the diabOlical organization. WOu
to God this deed might be the last
its kind and every anarchist swe
from the face of the earth!
But desperate as was the cowa. {
~.&o,,,,+ - did not f,llv c,Icc cd W