The Death of the President

     The death of President McKinley has plunged the entire Republic deep in sorrow. The assassination in its startling suddenness came like a bolt from the blue. Peace, Prosperity and Plenty is not an alliteration which breeds disciples of anarchy. Our country, laden with the fruits of the fertile soil, listening to the noisy hum of the huge manufactories, all betokening an era of commercial solidity, may well be astounded at this dastard’s deed.
     It is but fitting that as medical men we do our part to study well the mental conditon [sic] of the anarchist and devise, as far as in us lies, the means of eradication which the whole civilized world demands. Alienists in our ranks owe a debt to man. All mental cases which approach such conditions as would inspire assassination must be recognized, and, being early recognized, preventive medicine once again may assert its advantages over treatment of whatever sort when the deed is done.
     We must demand stringent legislation, wisely conceived and intelligently executed. Anarchy, the plague of social life, must find no fit soil for development. In a healthy mind such infection is not possible. The unhealthy minds are, in part at least, under our hands for treatment. May God guide our hands!