The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-09-19

The suggestion of Senator Mason, therefore,
that "the man who attempted to kill President
Mckinley is guilty of treason" does moi point to
a remedy. 1t is treason in fact, but it is not 60
under the law of the United States, and cannot
be made SO. The question, then, arises whethe,
a special penalty can be prescribedfor attacks or
the President without running counter to this
constitutional definition. Mr.. Mckinley the
individual is no different from other citizens and
no law could be passed saying that an attack on
William Mckinley was different crime from
an attack on John Smith. 1t is only as Mr..
Mckinley is President that his life becomes of
special importance, and an attack on it deserv-
ing of special punishment. Popular sentiment
is instinctively correct in considering blow
aimed at the President blow aimed at the State.
1t is reasonable in its nature, but would the
courts look upon legislation constituting assault
upon the President into distinct crime other
wise than as an attempt, under another name, to
punish treason beyond the warrant of the con-
stitutiOn?
No doubt, with the importation of European
millions, that simple society in which free men
are naturally good and only rulers are to he
feared, such as the fathers dreamed of in their
Utopisn isolation, is no longer possible. We
have learned that the Executive is not the men,
ace to liberty they feared, and that he is a tar
get for attacks by enemies Of society not then in
existence. To hedge his Office about with legal
safeguards may require an amendment to the
constitution, and that is slow and difficult pro-
cess 1t has been suggested that as commander
in-chief of the army the President might be pro-
tected under the articles of war, which punish
with death any soldier who strikes a superior
officer. But the articles of war do not apply to
civilians, and the prejudice of the American
people against "military despotism" is SO great
that even to accomplish desirable object they
would never consent to making the relation of
the President to any civilian, even criminal,
that Of military chief to his subordinate. The
law now seeks to protect officers in the discharge
Of their duties, and prescrbes special punishment
for interfering with or resisting them. Possibly
an analogy to them may be found for the Presi-
dent, SO that law could punish severely any
body interfering with him or trying by violence
70 prevent him from performing his duties,
without, on the one hand, depriving individuals,
whether IN the White House or in a hut, of
squality before the law, or, on the other hand,
rying to reintroduce into the American code
lass of treasons expelled from it by the consti-
ution.
Possibly no action at all is necessary. The
,enalty Of an unsuccessful attack on the Presi- |
lent's life is indeed ridiculously light, and an
outraged people demand heavy punishment of |
uch miscreants as Czolgosz. 1t is to be remem-
,ered, however, thatthese wretches always strike
Expecting to kill and to face the death penalty
themselves. If that does not deter them it is |
doubtful if a heavier penalty for assault would
10 SO. 1t would, perhaps, vindicate the dignity
# the government, but it is doubtful if it would
ea!ly be an additional safeguard to the Presi-
ents life.
THE PRESIDENT is DEAD.
scenes and transitions of life that
Il fortn;ubf oor br;ro. f,rtL AVN lor;o, !,