New-York tribune., 1901-09-08
THE PRESIDENT.

The President still lives. That is the salient
feature Of undoubted news this morning.
Beyond that there is conjecture and there is
hope. The best medical opinion is that he is
holding his ground well against the murderous
menace of his wounds. No untOward cOmpli-
cations or symptoms have appeared. The suf
ferer is resting quietly. and the disturbance OF
physical functions. though considerable, is not
so marked as TO be ominOus. All that science
ana tender care can do for him is being done
For the nation which loves him there is moth
Ing TO do but 10 pray. TO hope and to wait
The waiting may be tedious. Indeed il must
be, even though it is for only a short time An
hour OF suspense in such a case seems like an
age. But in actual time the waiting will prob
ably not be short. Several days may pass
before the crisis OF the case is reached, and
weeks may elapse before the patient can be
confidently pronounced out of danger That
such will at length be the happy declaration of
the attending doctors there is at this hour cause
for strong hope
There is. however, one thing more for the
nation besides the praying, hoping and waiting
we have named. That is effective detestation
OF the crime. We do not mean a fierce outcry
Tor vengeance such as inVountarily rises from
every heart. The need Is for a searching Of
hearts that shall be at once calm and thorough
and shall ascertain how ii is that American
Presidents are in more peril Of murder than are
European sovereigns and for shaping OF social
and governmental policies and action that shall
resolutely and inexorably extrpate the accursed
thing from American soil. 1t IS high time.
This is the third American President within q
lifetime 10 be stricken down by an assassin
The first fell amid the dying passions Of civil
war, under the hand of a fanatical desperate.
The second fell in a time OF political excite
ment, under the hand OF an unbalanced parti-
san. But the third case is incomparably most
ominous OF all. for this President has been
stricken down in time Of profound peace and
harmony by one OF league OF professional
muroerers and enemies OF society Doubtless
anarchists all over the land VIII hasten 10 deny
all connection with the wretch who shot the
President That is characteristic OF them I'm
their falsehood and cowardice But no rational
man doubts for a moment that this crime Is
merely the elimination Of general anarchist
conspiracies throughout the land. Ii IS the
natural sequel 20 the beery rawlings OF John
Most and the Goldman woman In this city. TO
the Qualifications OF the Haymarket murderers
In Chicago, 20 the Civilizations at Paterson over
the killing or King Humbert. All these we
have tolerated. The result OF our liberation IS
seen to-day at Buffalo
Advisedly and reverently, then we saw that
with their prayers and hopes upon th's holy
day and day Of anguish and suspense II will he
well for the American people TO mingIe a stern
hatred OF the crime which they lament. and an
intexloie resolution 70 make by every lawful
means within their power even the menace Of
.s repetition impossible. And there may well
come 10 not few who hold themselves law.
abiding and respectable certain fearful search
ing Of hearts 10 discover their share IN the