President McKinley

     At present writing, Sept. 9, it seems on the whole probable that our beloved President will recover. He was shot twice, as all know, at Buffalo, September 6, by a would-be assassin. At first it was believed he would die, and deep grief filled the hearts of all patriotic citizens, regardless of party, and bitter detestation of the wholly unprovoked crime. Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley—purest and best beloved of our Presidents since Washington—why should the lives of these of all others be sought? Doubtless President McKinley, both from his judicious, kindly and conciliatory manner and from the circumstances of his election and incumbency, had fewer personal and political enemies than either of the others, fewer, perhaps, than any other President not excepting Washington at his second election. But all this counted for nothing in the sight of the anarchist who sought his life. Clearly our laws against anarchistic societies and the expression of treasonable sentiments must be more strict and more strictly enforced. Organized anarchy in this free country must be declared a capital crime. There is no occasion for its existence here. Immigration laws must be made more strict and be more rigidly enforced, and keep out the murderous, fanatical dregs of Europe, who seek our shores only because there is greater opportunity to carry out their dark and bloody designs.