Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-23

To the Editor of The EVENING STAR:

being conducted. is likely to become in some
senses as to consequences. a greater calamity
to the nation than has resulted from the perpe-
tration of the hideous crime itself
The universal sympathy for the tragic fate OF
the beloved and lanented President. the CON-
mon homage paid to his fortitude in all that
mastertul struggle for life. united all sections OF
the country, and Garfield. dead and entombed
lies encTcled by the aureoa of vicarious sacri.
fee.
While the vile crime. through merciful pro-
lection of Providence over the nation, reaped
no whirlwind of discord. unclaimed no new
forces OF destruction to their wild work, but
was recognized by all in its naked truth as the
demonlac act of one deprayed willard one
Gi0ne-ln al this dereIiction. God was merciful
TO u.s. as nation. Then this great country
submerged into depths of sorrow, rose equal to
the Sublime height of self mastery. and while
recognizing the magnitude of the crime. yet
calmly protected the criminal under the 9gis OF
law. He has been protected. that he may be
ieait with. not according to the just frenzy OF
the outraged people, but by process of legal
trial.
1t is Of this trial now in slow length Of pro-
gress. we would speak. This trial, now trans
p'ring, because it was the head of the nation
who was murdered is an historic event The
tators. This nation, through the wretch Gui-
teau. is therefore really under trial, with the
world as Judge of ultimate appeal. and history
to write the verdict. 1t is Just one OF
those occasions in which the exact quality OF
our bOasted civilization is being tested and. SO
far as we are weighed. we are found crude, very
crude How can any pen-pcture present even
skeleton of the hateful facts SO far evolved:
There sits judge conceded to be skilled in the
law and DESTROYS to be fair-minded. He
-al of hY,% -
murderer fair trial-and this one aim, per-
verified beyond its utmost meaning is allowed to
obscure all other issues. How pOwerIeSs, how
weak. is this judicial hand that would
mold even balanced the scales Of Justice. What
an amazing exhibition OF the harm to be done
by want OF force of character! And SO this
great trial. of transcendent Importance in its
nature, sinks TO the level of great farce where
Menus gibes under the Infamous gibbet But
We are told the assassin is of his own counsel
Does that fact permit him, in the assumed role
of advocate. to insult the court vilify and ira
duce the government and its witnesses, use the
vilest language and act in the most indecent
manner! Is this slur to be cast upon the noble
army OF advocates and the profession of law:
The remedy was simple. The Gerry first act Of
contempt Of court should have been firmly met
as SUCH 1t is nottOo late to exhibit the needed
strength. We have all had surfeit of gentle
means. Let mercy be tempered with justice.
There is much that is corrupting to the coun-
try in the permitted license Of this trial. The
assassin in conducting his own defence really
makes but one point-witn a lucidity, malice
an intensity characteristic of the demon that
inspires him. he necessarily arraigns '.the
Deity. The responsibility of crime and the re-
sponstbility of God is the one point this fend
incarnate makes.
And whittier are we drifting as a Christian
nation, when an honorable court, listens in 81
h7Ice to this sacriiegiOus aIragnment? Oh
long suffering God OF nations how long before
the cup OF our iniquities shall again be filled
anu We must be punished as nation?
1hls basphemy should never have been per-
mitted a second time. and the churches might
Wen offer up prayers asking God to pardon
the dissertation OF His holy name. Each time
the impiety is repeated it is an intolerable at
mont put upon the Great Jehovah.
Agan-one scene that was allowed to take
place was of such sickening horror that never
before In the history of the world has it had its
counterpart. We refer to the ghoulsh act OF
the assassin, handling the bones of his murdered
victim. There existed not the slightest need
thus to desecrate the great dead. These re-
mains should nave been held intact and sacred
out of respect to the nation who had elected
him to be its head. Alas. poor Garfield! ltwas
our privilege, through many years. to have
known him well. He was effusive, large
minded. warm-hearted and he had moreover,
an aesthetic nature which opened up to him
greater possibilities of attaining the ideal than
attain. The very last time we happened to ex-
change few words with him we spoke OF the
need of treating in manner more ideastic
the sculptured statues of our great men. He
always grasped at the ideal. even where he
failed to seize it. And was it reserved for him.
OF fine perceptions, to bear this last, needless,
bitter degradation?
This trial is filing the land like a
pestilence, and reads like some hideous
chapters OF the scenes of the French revolution,
where God being counted out, Satan or acks the
whip. The demOraZing spectacle seems to
serve to dntatse men, women and children, and
the press sends the poison broadcast.
But this. fOrsOOth, isnO laughing matter before
high Heaven. although one may smile at the
quaint remark OF an eminent baIrister who said
to friend on leaving the court room, where for
a short time he had been a looker-On, that he
was in doubt las to how it would all end
whether the court would convict Guiteau OF
Guitcau the court"
MADELEINE VINTON DAHLGREN.