The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-07

there should he an official touch lent 70 the
occasion by the presence either of militia or
blue-coats The crowd he was told might
overrun the yeranda and. possibly. do damage
TO the Little White House" Governor Will
sons reply was characteristic of Democrat:
4 would rather have that happen he said,
than TO have soldiers or policemen on inc
grounds"
May We not reasonably hope from this re-
with strong-arms that when Woodrow Wilson
becomes President the country will be spared
the parade of police. secret service" agents
and private detectives which of late years had
made every Presidential movement look as
though it we're taken in the fear of assassina-
ton. The older Presidents did not so consider
the intentions Of the country. They went
about with Democratic simplicity, whore they
pleased counting upon the loyalty of the Amer
lean citizens and trusting for safety in their
regard for the Presidential office. 1t was only
when Mckinley was elected for second term
that emphasis began to be laid on the ueces-
sity of protecting the President" by the con-
d
not until Roosevelt came to the White House
ms result of Mckinleys murder that the
practice grew into its present form of insult to
every community into which the President VEN
lures and every place in which he is enter
tanned.
How Tar this undemocratic habit has been
carried is thing not guessed at by the average
citizen Wherever the President goes, there
goes with him bunch of bulgi1g -sleeyed
thugs. armed to the teeth prepared not only TO
find trouble. but to make It, If the President
is invited TO lunch to dine. some of these
detectives" must needs examine the house
and interview the servants and. presumably.
rip up the carpets III a search for bombs Even
at table, one or more of those of them who
have learned the "a, b c's' of knife and fork
are on hand to see that the chef does not use
any poison seasoning, And on the streets,
in restaurants and cafes. the most innocent Of
citizens is put under the lynxeyes Of those
who guard the Chief Executive. II Is an Incl
dent SO common as TO escape notice that men
carrying unusual bundles, who have an
impeachment in their speech, who wish 10
shake the Presidential hand, venture some
advice on running the Government are either
arrested or assaulted, All of which goes under
the name of protecting the President"
There would be some excuse for the Presi-
dent keeping such company if the records went
to show that his guards actually save him
trouble or danger. The records, however. show
exactly the contrary. No attempt on the life
OF a President has ever been thwarted by them;
but they have failed to thwart attempts which
have been wofuily successful Mckinley was
surrounded by sleuths who were fooled by
the palpable dodge OF a pistol held in ban
daged hand, Garfield publicly shot as
was Lincoln That this will be the case. al
ways goes without saying. Whoever wishes
to XIII President has only to have the requi-
site nerve and shrewdness, and all the detec-
tives in Christendom cannot prevent his carry
ing out his purpose With the present high
powered rifles any criminal could pot the
President as he comes down the streets OF any
/ city. That being true. why the detectives, to
annoy the welI-meauing, without remotely dis
turbing the criminally inclined? If the Presi-
dent must. after all, trust in the anectinnate
respect Of the people. SHY should he not do SC
openly. without the trappings OF seuths and
gundghtcrs to confuse the public appreciation
of the fact?