Cut the Taproot of Anarchy

Yes, by all means devise repressive measures against anarchists, but why not seek to change their dispositions before they become enemies of society? Suppose that in his boyhood the wretch who shot the President had been brought under the influence of Dr. Schauffler’s mission in Cleveland, or had felt the touch of the excellent mission work in behalf of the Poles in Detroit, both of which are referred to elsewhere in this issue. Something might have taken place in this now universally execrated man similar to that process which has already made law-abiding and useful citizens out of Poles, Bohemians and Slovaks resident among us. Out of a foul and malignant heart came the impulse to betray and murder the nation’s head. There has never been any permanent cure for any desperately wicked human heart other than the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. We must go straight to the fountain head of vileness, and every wise attempt to stamp out full-grown anarchism must be accompanied by efforts to prevent the seed finding its first root.