Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-07
GUARDING the President.

The senate has passed a strenuous bill
AGAINST anarchists and IL has been gener-
ally understood for good many years
that a guard was near by the chief ex-
utive OF the nation whenever he left the
white house.
while the assassination Of three presi-
dents has taken place since 1865, II seems
that guards or detectives do not amount
to very much when an assassin gers In
his work on presidents.
There were guards or detectives close
BY President Mckinley when Czolgosz
made HIS fatal shot at Buffalo, last year.
Unless the president is guarded like for
eign potentates. by regular mounted po-
lice do not see that guards amount 70
protection against the Guiteaus and Cool
goszs OF this country, II would seem to be
necessary 20 inspect all visitors or hand
shakers before they are allowed 10 enter
the presence Of the chief ma gistrate, and
this precaution would rob the hand shake
OF its charm. II Il must be subject TO sus-
picion as well as surveillance. have
seen General Grant walk along Pennsyl-
vania avenue with all the freedom Of a
private citizen. and the carriage Of Presi-
dent Hayes occupied by himself and wife
was a common sight to the habitues OF
the city.
It win not add anything to the fame or
good name OF the American republic that
its chief in authority IS attended by SOL
diers or private detectives TO save his life.
King Humbert had his armed guards, but
could not stop HIS murderer in time to
save his life-only a few months ago.
The car of Russia was blown up by a
bomb I'm a crowded thoroughfare. but he
had legions Of soldiers to watch after his
safety and provide protection as best they
might do 10 insure safety.
Therefore do not enthuse very much
over the extra precautions or the propos-
~ ffn Of he
president.
It may develop that protection does not
protect in the same sense that prohibit
ton fails 10 prohibit.
And every step which is taken toward
making distinctions between rulers and
the masses indicates another advance OF
the dangers and evils which menace civil
freedom and adds one more link 70 the
chain Of military despotism, which TO my
mind Is to be our ultimate government
without great and rapid changes in our
course OF action and reform in the pres
ent state OF governmental affairs.
And while / can never forget that GEN
eral Miles put unnecessary shackles on
Jefferson Davis. shall be very sorry to
see any effort 10 make the army or the
navy the creature of a chief executive
Of the United States. Congress should
keep the reins OF government in its own
hands and when a. commanding general
goes before congress in obedience to its
call for information, no president should
have the liberty to chop or his ofhcial
head for giving facts or opinions under
oath and in obedience TO call OF congress
We seem TO be walking over volcanoes
these days. Seismic conditions appear all
about US.
The ship OF state appears 70 lack cool
heads TO hold the rudder and direct its
course
All those laws looking 10 making the
president something different from the
common run of humankind viii prove a
temptation to exercising fuller and freer
authority when some ambitious man sees
this country.
The old paths are the safest and the
president is only private citizen, elevated
for particular service.