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David LawrenceWallace IncidentTragic as was the attack on Governor George Wallace of Alabama, the incident hardly justifies Uie denunciations which have teen made against those who have been engaging in demonstrations or protesting the utterances of speakers with opposing viewpoints.For the episode was not typical of the attitude of the crowds that gather in America to voice their discontent or to join in political rallies. From the information available, it was the act of one man who had deliberately planned to shoot Governor Wallace.For a long time it has been suggested that national legislation should be adopted to control the sale af guns, but evai this probably would not have prevented what happened at Laurel, Md., when Governor Wallace was shaking hands with the people who wanted to greet him. For he was obviously attacked by a person of unsound mind, and unless some way can be found to keep such individuals from ever possessing dangerous weapons of any kind, gun control would be of no use in preventing crime.IT HAS BEEN ARGUED that candidates for the Presidency should not mingle with crowds and should not shake hands even with those standing alongside their line of travel on foot or by car. Secret Service men, of course, can previously observe the behavior of the people and try to detect any persons who might be carrying weapons or who act suspiciously.The Federal government now is giving protection to all presidential candidates of both parties. Secret Service men are with them constantly and try to guard the Presidential aspirants against assault.But, meanwhile, it seems clear from an examination of the facts that the man anested for shooting Mr. Wallace was not connected with any organization or involved in any demonstration against him. He is an individual who, it is charged, had visited a Wallace meeting previously in Michigan and had been questioned then but not held. The police, however, did not get any evidence early enough to prevent what happened in Maryland.Although the Secret Service will do their best to scrutinize Uie arrangements made by a traveling candidate, cany on a search of halls or other areas where he or she will appear and watch for suspicious individuals or activities, they realize that safety measures are limited. The great danger comes when candidates mingle with people to shake hands, as this puts them right into the midst of possible trouble. The Secret Service always advise the persons they are guarding not to do this, but candidates get into crowds just the same, and frequently the agents lock arm s to prot ect Ihem from being mobbed.SOME OBSERVERS are beginning to say that much erf Uie campaigning for the Presidency will eventually be done in studios by means of radio or television or through the press and that the risks of meetings where the general public is admitted will be avoided.As a matter of fact, there are grave doubts whether actual contacts with a relatively few citizens make a big difference in the votes cast in any state. If an aspirant for public of rice makes his views known to the voters, he stands a belter chance of getting support than by merely shaking hands with a comparatively small number of people.The whole subject is one that has been debated for years, but a remedy has never been found. Governor Wallace paid Ihe penalty of open campaigning, and other candidates now arc likely to be more cautious about the type of campaigning they do. Indeed, the discussion is turning lo the question of whether fxesidenls will take the same kind of chance in seeking re-election. They. too. svill probably have lo depend upon the press and radio and t ele vi si r.71 rather than going out among the people.Governor Wallace has the sympathy of the country, and the miversal wish is that he may recover soon from his injuries. It is being suggested that he may recover to ad as Governor of Alabama even if he has to use a wheelchair, just as did Franklin D. Roosevelt. The latter was unable to walk and yet served from 1933 lo IEH5 as President, being elected four times to that office.Governor Wallace is reported to be anxious lo resume some of his campaigning, and many of his supporters are eager to see him do so.
Newspaper Details
Derrick
Oil City, Pennsylvania, US
Sat, May 20, 1972
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USA 15 Jul 2019
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