The Washington times., 1901-09-09
The Punishment of Anarchy.

The Punishment of Anarchy.
In their comments upon the attempt
ed assassination OF the President, some
OF the European newspapers have re-
ferred to it as the act of an Anarchist,
and have made it the occasion for a
plea that the United States join with
other nations in extirpating a class
that is opposed to all government and
all society. There is much force in the
plea. The United States should do
something, and, if possible, do some
thing effective. Under our complex
system of government suitable action
is not so easy as it is in the monarchies
of the Old World. but that is no rea-
son why the matter should not be TAX
en- up and dealt with in a most drastic
way.
Anarchist clubs are formed for the
express purpose of overthrowing all
government among men. and to this
end the primary aim is to murder the
rulers or chief magistrates of nations,
regardless of the character of the ruler
or the form of the government
whether a despotism, a limited mon
archy, or a free, representative repub-
lie. 1t has not yet been made clear
whether the man with the almost un-
pronounceable name who assailed
President Mckinley is a member of an
Anarchist club, or whether the at
tempt was part of a conspiracy; but,
If correctly reported, the language of
the would-be assassin is that of an
Anarchist, and the act was one of red
handed anarchy.
There may be Governments that
should be overthrown, but it should be
in a proper way, and only to be sup
planted by better ones. The worst
government on the face of the earth
is better than no government. The An
arcllist would not only reduce society
to chaos, leaving every individual
prey to the rapacity and cruelty of
those who were stronger or more cum
ming but he would begin the work by
the indiscriminate butchery of those
in authority, even though they are the
choice of the people whom they gov
ern.
1t is worse than useless to argue
against the craziness of such a scheme
The mind that is SO constructed as to
regard murder as rightful remedy for
real ur imaginary defects OF Govern
ments is insensibie to all reason. The
Anarchist first determines for himself
what he considers to be wrong in pub
.ic affairs, and then he decides whom he
will murder in order to rectify what
he regards as wrong. If such a doc
trine could prevail, the Anarchist him
self would not be safe for an instant
In effect the Anarchist is at war with
all who do net agree with him. That is
to say, he sets his judgment up against
the views of. perhaps, a hundred thou
sand others, and virtually declares that
he has a right 10 kill all who do not
think as he does. He begins with the
head of the Government, but as soon
as one is killed, another is put in his
place, and, of course, the Anarchist
would kill him also. There is literally
no end to it
II is useless 10 pursue this phase
of the subject further. The great mass
of mankind understands perfectly that
anarchy is indefensibly wrong. The
question is, What should be done 10
stamp it out? The criminal instinct is
deeply planted in some minds, and law
has not been. and perhaps may new
er be. effectual in entirely preventing
crime. But we do not abolish the Grim
inal code on that account. Nor should
we think Of doing so, on the contrary
we shouii make it comprehensive
enough TO cover every well defined
crime against the human race Surely
none can be worse than that which
strikes at the very foundations of so
ciety. and which contemplates the muir
der Of every man who is entrusted with
official power.
In dealing with those who are the
avowed enemies OF all law, we should
not. in justice, wait until the fatal
blow has fallen, and some valuable life
has been taken away. The crime should