Publication information
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Source: Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier
Source type: newspaper
Document type: editorial
Document title: “Blotting Out the Assassin”
Author(s): anonymous
City of publication: Ottumwa, Iowa
Date of publication: 5 November 1901
Volume number: 53
Issue number: 67
Pagination: 2

 
Citation
“Blotting Out the Assassin.” Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier 5 Nov. 1901 v53n67: p. 2.
 
Transcription
full text
 
Keywords
Leon Czolgosz (execution: personal response); Leon Czolgosz (incarceration: Auburn, NY).
 
Named persons
Leon Czolgosz; William McKinley.
 
Document

 

Blotting Out the Assassin

     The assassin of President McKinley died in the electric chair last Tuesday morning. The manner of his death and the seclusion in which the wretch has been kept has disappointed the anarchists who would have made a hero of him, if such creatures have any conceptions of heroism; at any rate they would have made of him and the occasion an opportunity for advertising anarchy and attempt also to draw sympathy for the assassin. All such schemes however, were brought to naught through the good judgment of the state and prison officials and Czolgosz has had no more opportunity to pose as a distinguished criminal than if he had been a snake or a vicious beast that is put to death for the public good. Nor will his relatives have a chance to place him in a grave where anarchists can see the mound beneath which his bones will moulder. The prison officials were discreet to secure from the assassin’s brother a relinquishment of the remains and his body will be buried in the prison grass yard where perhaps quick lime [sic] will facilitate the decomposition of his worthless carcass.
     The assassin as well as his abettors were disappointed [in?] all that transpired after the death of President McKinley. They had hoped to create intense feeling which would lead to the present and future benefit of anarchy but the wise course was pursued of isolating the criminal after he was condemned. He was dead to the world from the time he entered Auburn prison until he was admitted to a brief interview with relatives and to the presence of a priest whom he scornfully rejected. There is absolutely nothing in his miserable existence since he became a murderer that can appeal in the least to the sympathies of either good men or good women. His anarchistic friends were intimidated and overwhelmed by the public sentiment and have not dared to make open demonstrations. Anarchy instead of being strengthened by this murder has been crippled and its loathsome head has hidden from sight fearful of the righteous vengence [sic] of a people who will not permit such a sentiment to exist in this country. It is possible that the conspirators believed that the assassination of McKinley would not be seriously resented by the minority party that voted against him but they see now how they have been deceived. There was an instantaneous welding of all factions and parties agaist [sic] the vile sentiment of anarchy which is at war with not only all governments but against the vast mass of mankind. The poisonous reptiles of a country have no more claim to sympathetic consideration than the promoters of anarchy; they each have to be trampled out in order to ensure public safety.

 

 


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