Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-13
ANARCHY.
Prominent Citizens Of This City
Discuss the Subject.
Various Ways Of Dealing With This
Great Evil Put Forth.
All Agree That II Il. Dangerous and Must Be
Suppressed.
ANARCHY.

one week ago this afternoon the
President of the United States was
struck down by the hand of man
VINO claims that his only motive was
tne performance of his duty as a be-
never in the doctrin of anarchy. Since
that time the whole country has been
III a fever of excitement. Grave fears
mat the nation would. through this
detd, he deprived of its Chief Execu-
i've at the very height of his popu-
iarity and usefulness have been i'm the
hearts of all citizens
This incident has brought to tho nuh-
lie mind. much more forcibly than ever
before. the danger to our institutions
from this doctrine which has been
transplanted from the old world into
the most uncongenial soil it could find
the United States of America. This
danger together with it's remedy has
peen the chief topic of conversation in
Augusta as well as elsewhere since the
attempted assassination.
Having noted this interest in tho
subject. "A Journal reporter called on
a number of prominent citizens and
asked the question: What shall be
done t" protect our public men and our
institutions from anarchy" A num-
her Of persons who otherwise would
nave been seen were out of town and
could not be reached but there is no
doubt but that the general tenor of
their replies would have been the same
as those seen.
The following answers to the ques-
ton have been received:
Walter d. S:inson, Postmaster of .au-
EUsta:
The question asked needs most care
ful consideration. | can only give i'm
pressions in answer. An anarchist be-
lieves not in God, the state nor the
present social condition. The extre-
mists t"reds') are said to believe in
free love, assassination and state par
cntage of children.
Good judgment seldom accompanies
passion. When the President was shot
| thought and still believe. a lynchins
of number of leading anarchists in
various parts of the country would be
wholesome exhibition of their own
ideas. Every man naturally looks
with contempt on leaders who skulk-
ingly send out hypnotZed boys to do
what the teacher dares not. The
whole system seems founded on per-
sOnal vanity and cowardice. Remem-
bering that this is blow at govern
ment. and not personal, it seems II me
that every plot or attempt at assassin
alton of the President or any officer
in line of Constitutional succession
should be high treason and punisha BILE
by death or solitary confinement for
life. The laws against treason and
seGition should be extended to cover
the utterances or publishing of anar-
chistic speeches or papers threatening
the government. state or their heads.
All trials to be in Federal courts with
out delays or publicity. | think, in adj
ditiOn to this. it should be criminal to
publish pictures. interviews or ac-
counts of such prisoners or their trials.
beyond the simplest statement of act
uaI facts. unillustrated. Flowers and
Injuries should be denied and every
thing making such prisoners heroic
suppressed. We all recognize that the
emigration laws have long been too
lenent to undesirables. From the
fact that three Presidents have been
shot in my own time. | am certain the
American people are often too good
natured.