Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-28
prnt.ction Of Presidents.

The assassination Of President Mckin-
ley BY an anarchist at Buffalo has induced
the present congress 10 discuss and pass
a bill against any persons who may kill
or attempt to kill a president. II is all
right 20 pass measures looking 10 the
protection Of human life everywhere, but
whenever steps are taken 20 place around
any citizen Of the republic additional and
superior safeguards. then steps have also
been taken TO pave the way for a fu-
ture monarchy or military oespotism IN
these United States.
Nobody had q greater horror OF the I'M
timely taking OF OF President Mckinley
(not OF his immediate family than my
self His death by violence was universally
nourned and sincerely deplored all over
the union. and nowhere more than In the
southern states. but this piece OF legtsla-
ton Is dangerous because OF the burden
that goes along with IL. because II is an
entering wedge 20 other and similar leg
isIation which viii set apart all officials
En time as a superior order Of beings, 20
be surrounded BY guards, and with legal
exemptions that should belong equally 70
every free-born citizen In these United
States
But some viii say, why do you include
other officialsg Simply because this dan
geruus bill says so. in plainest words.
Section Is includes the president. the vice
president and "other officers of the United
EAAAE1 EAAAAAE4 Al NV u NANNN@4 ~ NAAI
presidency" Where viii we find any dir
ference in legislation which protects =
royal succession in limited monarchy
We are getting on towards the divine
right OF our rulers. 10 be exempt and
likewise safeguarded from pains and pen
alties. in a rapid hurry.
As was wisely said on the floor OF the
house. This bill erects the president into
q peculiar potentate. whose rights as an
individual are merged in his majesty as
an Official, and Il includes in this awful
circle Of its solemn protection all who
stand en- the shadow Of the throne and
expect the glory OF the crown"
Such a measure will put six Of our chief
federal officials In protected class 10
themselves. five Of them attending 70 no
duty OF the president, so long as ne Is
alive and IN active service.
After President McKinley's death there
were some hysterical interviews published
down IN Georgia remember one judge
who said The states should pass strin-
gent laws .n-ainst the assembling together
OF persons for any unlawful purpose. or
for any purpose that cannot be spoken OF
with open doors" Do you appreciate the
meaning2 DO our people see and under
stand where we are drifting under the
Influence OF such vicious legislation What
sort OF freedom viii be granted this coun-
Try after awhile under such espionage as
thss7
II is even now called treason 10 criticise
and condemn the inhuman officials who
water cured the Filipinos and passed an
order 70 kill and burn down TO boys ten
years old who were found with arms in
their hands
Look at your own 10-year-old child or
grandchild. and you viii see what sort Of
q war was waged in the Philippine is
lands.
5 one editor OF a Manila newspaper wrote
up the inhumanity and he was banished
under a promise Of what more would be
done 10 him the next time unless he walk
ed the chalk line Of submission. on, IL
Is a sweet pass we are coming TO In this
once free countryt
The only effective protection that can be
given 70 human life lies in a government
which rests on the consent OF the gov
erned-
All the laws that may be written viii not
check an anarchist pure and simple. What
care they for the effect on themselves IL
they accomplish their set and sworn pur-
poser Nothing deters them They know
they are daring fate when they make an
attempt on a ruler. They like the adver-
Using il brings. and the dread they inspire
in high place.. And you may walk around
with an anarchist for blessed month and
never suspect his purpose until HIS time
has been fulfilled IL would be preposter-
Gus 10 arrest on suspicion every man or
woman that criticises public officials in
this country. We have no Siberia 10 ban
fsh suspected persons 20. and II is well we
have not. The men who have made repu-
tations and agitated needful reforms have
always been such cities OF unpopular
government II people are 10 be hauled be-
fore courts tried and sentenced for such
offenses. then goodby republic