The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-09-19
Conlnloner Comment,
Extracts From W. J. Bryan's Paper.
The Nation Mourns.


The Nation Mourns.
The nation bows in sorrow and in
humiliation-in sorrow because it's
chief executive, its official head, is
passing through the valley of the
shadow of death--in humiliation be-
cause the president of our republic has
fallen a victim to the cruel and cow
ardly methods employed 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 priceless-but when seventy-five
millions of people select one of their
number and invest him with the au-
thority which attaches to the presi-
uency, he becomes their representative,
and blow aimed at him is resented as
TN attack upon all.
Beneath the partisanship of the indi-
Hdual lies the patriotism of the citi-
zen, sometimes dormant, it is true, but
Railways active in hours of peril or mis-
Prtune. While the presidents life
Pngs in the balance there are no party
es. The grief of personal friends
close political associates may be
IRE poignant, but their sympathy is
more sincere than that extended by po-
itical opponents. Although none but
his family and his physicians are adj
United to his room, all his countrymen
IRE at his bedside in thought and SEN
tlment, and their prayers ascend for
MS recovery. 1t was characteristic of
us thoughtfulness that, even amid the
excitement following the assault, he
cautioned his companions not to exag-
gerate his condition to his invalid WIFE,
The latest dispatches give gratifay-
Ing news of his improvement, but
there is still deep solicitude lest unfa-
vorable symptoms may yet appear.
And the humiliation! Are our pub
lie servan ts-those who are chosen by
the people and who exercise for linn
tied time the authority bestowed by
the people-are these to live in con-
slant fear of assassination? Is there
to be no difference between our consti-
tutional government and those des-
{
upon the consent of the governed, but
upon brute force?
There is no place for anarchy in the
United States; there is no room here
Tor those who commit, counsel, or con-
done murder, no matter what political
excuse may be urged in it's defense.
Ihe line between peaceful agitation
and violence is clear and distinct. We
have freedom 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 criti-
else the methods of government or the
conduct of an official he has perfect
right to do SO, but his appeal must be
to the intelligence and patriotism of
his fellow citizens, not to force. Let
no one imagine that he can improve
Seciaf Of b,llitica1 conditions by the
Shedding If blood.
Free governments may be overthrown
but they cannot be reformed by those
who violate the commandment, .sThou
kshalt not KILL
Under government like ours every
wrong can be renedied by law, and
Che laws are in the hands of the
people themselves. Anarchy can be
neither excused nor tolerated here.
The man who proposes to right pub
tic wrong by taking the life of hui
man being, makes himself an outlaw
md cannot consistently appeal to the
protection of the government which
ne repudiates. He invites return to
cfo 70 NfL o, 1. s.1.
must, at his own risk, defend his own
rights and avenge his own wrongs.
The punishment administered to the
would-be assassin and to his Cocoon
spirators, if he has any, should be such
rs to warn all inclined to anarchy that
while this is an asylum for those who
love liberty, it is an inhospitable place
for those who raise their hands against
all forms of government.
While the laborers for the United
States Steel corporation are fighting
for the privilege of organization, it is
announced that the president of that
trust, who is said to draw an annual
salary of $1,ooo,oOo has purchased a
tract of ground for a residence, pay
ing therefor the sum of $3.50, 900, and
that when completed Mr.. Schwab's
home will have cost in the neighbour
hood of 81, 100000 1t would seem that if
the revenue from the trust is sufficient
to enable one of it's officers, who, a
few years ago was a poor man, to build
a palatial home, that the trust is suffi-
GENTLY prosperous to give its working
men the privilege of organizing for the
purpose of protecting their bread and
butter.
jackson, in his celebrated message
setoing the extension of the bank char
ter, said that the humber members of
society were the victims of injustice
whenever the government, by grant
ing legislative favors and privileges,
made the rich richer and the potent
more powerful. If the men who eat
their bread in the sweat of the face
would act in concert at the polls, a
speedy and inexpensive remedy would
be found for every evil complained of.
Fusion in Nebraska resulted in wrest-
< mo- the state from the control of COR.