Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-05
His own Unsupported Act.

His Own Unsupported Act.
Howsoever the late deplorable attempt upon
President Garields life may terminate. 1t is
greatly TO the credit Of the American people,
as 1t Will crafty those of every civilized coun-
try IN the world to know,-that the act was
that CT person of unsound mind, without ac-
completes or instigators; that 1t had no con-
nec.fcn Lear or remote with political or per
sonal sff airs; and that 10 other significance
can justly be attached to 1t than would be
assigned 10 any other mad freak of a semi
lunstic. IL is rare. to be sure, that an
IL SAFE impulse is productive Of such monen-
tous results, but that circumstance does
not alter the facts In the case. The attempt
made In some quarters to snow a conspiracy
OF some kind or to connect any section OF
political party or group Of individuals with the
dreadful affair Is foolish as 1t Is cruel and Ill
advised. The more the matter is investigated,
the closer al the facts and Incidents preceding
and connected with II are Scrut1nlzed, the
clearer does this appear. In spite OF the bonn
bastic utterances of Guiteau under the exciting
circumstances attending the commission OF his
crime and his prompt arrest. deliberate
study Of his previous life and care
ful weighing of all the cotemporary tes-
timony or information throwing any light
upon IL can lead to 10 other con-
clusion than that the shooting of the President
was the Ir'soner's own individual act, without
aid or suggestion from any quarter. 1t is true
that the dreadful affair was attended by some
evidences OF generalization and provisions for
escape, but these demonstrators are entitled
10 no more weight than the cunning and fore
sight so frequently shown by confirmed luna
tics In carrying out hidden plan or In eluding
the vigilance of keeper.
Probably the most important and reliable
testimony In regard to the character and ten
denotes CT Guiteau is that furnished in letter
written ty his father. to another SOP, as early
as March 1878. This sad expression Of paren-
tai trials and forebodiDgs is printed IN full 10
another column, and is entitled to the fullest
confidence and the most serious consider alton
Another conclusive piec3 Of evidence
pointing In the same direction is afforded by
the professional experience Of DR.. Hood, the
medical referee OF the Pension bureau
In this city. Several months ago. as
we are Informed. the application OF
Gulteau for pension came before that officer
for investigation. After examining the docu-
ments lied 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 at 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 fatte-, TO forever
settle the question OF the prisoner. menta'
unsoundness beyond all doubt.
That Guiteau was not identified with that
portion OF the republican party not exactly In
harmony with the President On matters affect
ing partisan or personal interests, that he did
not sympathlse with it, and that his Ge,lara-
ton that ne was "a stalwart," as IN after
thought or the oufgrowth of an egotIs lic esire
to attach importance TO himself, is eq laIIy
clearly shown by the letter, PUBLISHED In Sat-
urday'a STAR. which he wrote to the .es dent
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 said:
ST regret the trouble that you are having
With Senator Conkling. You are right. and
should maintain your position. You nave my
support, and that of ali patriotic citizens"
What should be the punishment meted to
Guiteau 1t Is not necessary to discuss here.
The only present object Is to relieve tie Amer
lean character from the obloquy which would
properly follow connivance or sympathy with
so horrible a crime. In doing so We have not
thought necessary to dwell upon the absolute
imposs!oliiy Of any of the persons or interests
toward whon-attention has been directed being
associated with or even harbortng the thought
Of tragedy so terrible In itself and so deplor-
able IL its results Such suspicion Is too hor.
Ifb,e 10 contemplate. AID 1t ought not for mo-
ment he entertained in any quarter, much less
insinuated or expressed