Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-09-04

tendencies Of our modern civilization and
existing social conditions. A still more
emphatic reminder of tho latest national
tragedy is seen in the presence at the very
beginning of a receiving line at every re-
ception given the President of n stalwart
man who closely scrutinizes the hands Of
all who advance to grasp the hand of the
President. Time was when precautions like
these were not thought of, but If any one
is moved to complain, let him count and
see what proportion of the Presidents of
the United States since the Civil War have
fallen a victim to the leadcn pellet of some
befuddled crank or fanatic anarchist
1t may now be allowable to say that
owing TO the existence of anarchists In
certain section Of this State there were APP
prehensions concerning the possibility of
some demonstration and unusual pre-
cautions were taken, when the President
was in that region. While the President
was making his address, a particularly re-
pulsive looking individual stood directly in
the front rank of those confronting him.
and whether he knew it or not two secret
service men, who had nothing to dis
tingush them from others listening to the
President, so far as the average onlooker
| could discern. never removed their eyes
from this suspect. lie kept one hand con-
cealed from view, and the secret service
men were ready to meet any movement
that he might make. Fortunately for the
reputation of our State and for all con-
cerned. nothing happened to mar the sue
cess and enjoyment of the visit of our
chief executive to our state.
1t must be somewhat humiiating to the
whole American people to consider that
precautions of this kind are deemed neces-
sary wherever the head of our nation goes.
So long as the spirit of anarchy is abroad
in the land and the fires of class hatred
are busly famed by demagogues, we must
not complain if we are compelled to bear
somet thing of the penalty following the al
lowance of these things.
We have sought to afford our readers
some idea of the inside workings of a
presidential train to depict varying con-
ditions surrounding our chief executive as
he goes about the country for the purpose
of coming into closer touch with the peo-
pie and thus learning what their sentiments
are. We can say, on the other hand, that
those who have come into contact with
! MIR. Roosevelt have been impressed by the
manner in which he has broadened uud r
the grave responsibilities of the plcsi-
dency. While frequent CLEANS Of his
strenuous spirit are still seen. the Prcsi-
dent has developed degree of self control
which enables him to meet the most vary
ing contingencies automatically. tic is still
"A unique character, and it may be that he
is the type of what the coming American,
representing many strains of blood and
combining the best of all is to be, just as
the martyred Lincoln was a type Of one
class of Americans and the lamented Nc
Kinley of another class If this is SO, then
there is bright promise for the future OF
American statesmanshipand public life, for
/ towering above every other pronounced
characteristic of President Roosevelt is his
rugged and strenuous honesty. the chief
source of his remarkable strength in the
affections of the American people.