Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-04
His Own Unsupported Act.

His Own Unsupported Act.
Howsoever the late deploraole attempt upon
President Gar1eldP5 life may ter innate, it is
greatly to the credit of the American people,
as II Will crafty those OF every civilized coun-
try In the world to know,-that the act was
tina II person OF unsound MUD without &C
com2l;ces or instigators; that 1t had no con-
nec'ion near or remote With political or per-
soDal efrairs; and that no other significance
cln Justly be attached to 1t than would be
asst aed to any other mad freak of semi
lunstlc. 1t Is rare. TO be sure that an
1Isa.e impulse Is productive of such momen-
fous lCsults, but that circumstance does
not er the facts In the case. The attempt
male n some quarters to snow conspiracy
OF scme kind or to connect any section OF a
political party or group of individuals with the
dread III affair is as foolish as 1t Is cruel and Ill
advised The more the matter is Investigated,
the loser al the facts and incidents preceding
AMI injected with it are scrutinized, the
cearer does this appear. In spite OF the bonn
basti utterances OF Guiteau under the exciting
Circumstances attending the commission OF his
study Of his previous life and a care
full Weighing OF all the eotemporary tes-
timc or information throwing any light
upcN &c can lead to no other con-
clus IN than that the shooting OF the President
wa re prisoners own individual act, without
aic suggestion from any quarter. 1t is true
the he dreadful affair was attended by some
ey ices OF reconciliation and provisions for
esG -. but these demonstrations are entitled
to more weight than the cunning and FORE
SIC Z; so frequently shown by confirmed luna
tic 10 carrying out a hidden plan or In eluding
the vigilance of keeper.
Probably the most important and reliable
testimony In regard 10 the character and ten
deDcies OF Guiteau Is that furnished In letter
written by his father, to another SOD, as early
as March. 1873. This sad expression of paren-
tai Trials and foTebodiDgs is printed In full In
another column. and is entitled to the fullest
confidence and the most serious consideration.
Archer conclusive piece of evidence
pointing In the same direction Is Afforded by
the professional experience OF DR.. Hood, the
medical referee OF the Pension hTreau
In this city. Several mouths ago, as
we SIZE informed. the application OF
-Gu teau for aSpension came before that officer
for Investigation. After examining the docu-
ments fled by the prisoner, followed by sew
eral interviews with him, DR.. Hood came to
the conclusion that he was insane, and so
Endorsed In writing his opinion az the time.
This decision, reached by a medical expert
when there was nothing In the case as pre-
sented TO disturb or Influence his Judgment,
would seem. when added to the earlier and
positive convictions OF the father, to forever
settle the question o. the prisoner, menta!
uIs oundness beyond all doubt.
That Guiteau was Lot identified with that
portion Of the republican party not exactly In
harmony with the President on matters affect
Ing altisan or personal interests, that he did
no. sympathise with it, and that his de Clara
ton that he was "a stalwart." was n after
thought or the ou'growth of an egotis lc ss're
to attach importance TO himself, Is eq ially
clearly shown by the letter, published In Sat-
urday'a STAR. which he wrote to the President
some time ago, and doubtless long before the
thought Of his awful CT me had entered his dis.
ordered brain. In this, 1t will be remembered,
he sad:
al regret the trouble that you are having
With Senator Conkling. You are right. and
shcuId maintain your position. You nave nv
support, and that OF all patriotic citizens"
What should be the punishment melted to
Gui;eau 1t Is not necessary to discuss here.
The only present object is to relieve the Amer
ican character from the oboquy which would
properly follow connivance or sympathy with
so horrible crime. In doing 80 we have not
thought necessary to dwell upon the absolute
imrcssibllity of any Of the persons or interests
toward whom attention has been directed being
associated with or even harDoring the thought
OF tragedy so terrible in itself and so deplor.
able in its results. Such suspicion is too hor.
Iio.e 10 contemplate. and 1t ought not for mo-
nent be entertained in any quarter, much less
iDshuated or expressed
~o~.---