Arizona daily citizen., 1901-10-01
A DANGEROUS TENDENCY.

press, pulpit md platform have
made somo statements that will
scarcely meet with the approba-
ton of the people when subjected
to II cftm analysis The fact that
three Presidents have been assas-
sinatcd during the generation does
not necessarily mean that our form
Of government is at fault Yet n
few superficial souls have jumped
to tho conclusion that the whole
fault lies in the liberality of our
form OF government. Some journ-
ais, such as the st, Louis Globe
Democrat, which never have be.
lieved in the democratic princip-
lie, take advantage of the ignor
ance Of some and the excitement
of all to renew the old federalist
battle, which was fought to fin
ish during the lifetime of Thomas
Jefferson. Thus wo find several
journals following the lead of the
St Louis federaIist in denouncing
the men of the revolutionary gen.
GRAFTON for their refusal to oacquiesce
in the despotic alien and sedition
laws.
The other day Bishop Potter, of
New York, in an address upon the
causea nd cure of anarchy, made the
statement that while our constitu
ton is doubtless work Of genius
the spirit behind it was largely
borrowed from the French revolu-
ton, which did more to dignity an
archy than any other movement or
event in history This is a mere
rehash of the arguments that were
urged constantly during the early
period By the enemies of the re-
public. There was some excuse for
such talk at that time none now.
Then the horrors of the reign OF
terror completely overshadowed
all the good that came from the
attending purging of society, and
the principles of liberty, equality
and fraternity were associated with
anarchy and plain assassination.
Now it is universally conceded
that the principles of the French
revolution have largely inspired
the marvellous progress OF the
world during the last century.
They. moro than anything else,
have transformed tho Europe OF
the medieval period, with it's saw
agery and tyranny, into the Europe
of today, with its deeper humanity
and broader freedom, and, as Bic
hop Potter suggests, zone OF them
"a cardinal principle is free
speech. "
The present tendency seems 10
be to attempt the cure Of anarchy
through measures of repression,
such as the abridgment of the
freedom Of discussion. In the
first place, it is nonsense to place
the responsibility of the assassina-
tion of Lincoln, Garfield and Nc
Kinley upon the freedom OF the
press. The murder OF Lincoln
was the natural fruition OF four
years OF intestine bitterness and
strife. Garfield fell at the hands
OF an insane wretch. The assassin
OF Mckinley did not imbibe his
anarchistic principles from the
press unless it was, indeed, the
anarchistic press.
Every ono will agree that the
anarchistic press should be re-
gulated, anarchistic literature dos
troyed, and anarchiatic discussion
prohibited. But tho renewed
agitation In favor OF such meas.
sure AZ the alien and sedition law,
and the attempt OF such papers as
the Kansas City Journal and Los
Angeles Times to place responsib-
ility upon the speeches of Bryan,
Justify tho suspicion that the
abridgment Of the right of discus
sion will not stop with anarchistic
s1ttsrances. Some administration
sreans actually declare that the
ov1rnmsnt should not be severely
mn itfctsod. This Ii passing to the
oppcoite extreme. The most hum
)o citfxen must be protected in
hio sfgh1 u hold political opinions
q. - E..xy. - k1<4..,