The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-02
RoosrvELr,s prsroI.

We have wondered that no more atten- tion has, been paid by the press of the country to the Presidents practice of ''pistol-toting." That gust of wind at Ellis Island on an occasion of gayety and festivity revealed not only to a lynx eyed reporter thereby. but to every per- son standing near the President. that he had pistol pocket with a pistol in 1t. That 1t was so seen was widely published at the time and has never been contra dieted. If the story was not true. 1t Is little likely that Roosevelt would have allowed such a publication to go broad cast without word of denial. He. with all his assurance. can not think the peo- pie applaud such violation of law, such an infraction of the ordinary decencies of civilized life. Doubtless he does habi- tually go armed and relies upon the fate of his predecessor to justify him in pub lic opinion. Certainly every sane man and good citizen must abhor the creature who is either an assassin or a would be assassin. He is of the very dregs of humanity. Every precaution likely to frustrate his aim and every penalty If he is successful should be inflicted on him. And if it is necessary properly to guard the President he should be authorized to carry concealed pistol. he by all means should carry one in our judgment. with out waiting for an act of Congress or statutes in the several States. clothing him with such a privilege. It seems to us. however. that In this matter Roose- welt Is violating the law in fragrant de- fiance of the calm. sober opinion of his countrymen. Never before has a Presi- dent felt called upon to go armed with pistol If they were. foolish and Roose- welt is wise. we must henceforth always picture President with pistol bulgng under his coat-taiL
 He himself set far more admirable example when at the beginning of his administration he announced all but pub- liciy that he thought Chief Executive could show himself without being con- stantly attended by a troop of uniformed soldiers and platoon of plain clothes de- tectives. It was an effort to persuade him to take the most ordinary precau- tions against surprise and he amused himself by galloping away at times from his escort and escaping into hiding. He continues to foot it about Washington in a Democratic way and while this may appeal to some. 1t is not so pleasant to think of him as armed to the teeth on these excursions.
 Of course somewhere and among some people there will be protests against our language and against mentioning the matter at all. We insist the President sets damnable example in going about armed as he does. No one has threat ened him and if it Is said his great post exempts him from the usual process of the law and ought to, why then may not every conspicuous man carry his pistol? The crazy man is not confined and does not confine himself to the most exalted
 No; there is in this violation of law by Roosevelt just another manifestation of the spirit animating the man. He as- sumes to be a law unto himself He shows this trait in his biggest as we'll as his smallest policies. It required united. persistent and determined work by Allison. Aldrich and spooner to keep him from calling an extra session of Senate in the interest of his negro Crum. We can but regret he did not get his way in this matter and so have another chance to exhibit himself once again in a self-willed, obstinate role