Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-02
PORTER PRESSING GUITEAU.
QUESTIONS AS TOTHE MURDER
LAYING IN WAIT FOR THE PRESIDENT
STILL HARPING ON INSPIRATION.

STILL HARPING ON INSPIRATION,
There was the usual eypectant crowd about the
court house this morning, and the usual pushing
and showing at the doors The prisoner was
brought up at the regular hour There
smaller crowd than usual watching for the arrival
Oh The van, fact which Guiteau commented upon
as indicating falling off In interest. The crowded
aiSles Of the court room, however. indicated nc
lack OF interest. Among those present were Mrs
Dr. Edison, who was of the late Presidents at
tendants during his illness, Congressman Mason
OF New York: DIR. Dexter, Assistant Postmaster
Parker, Register Bruce, and Representative Vaen-
tine, of Nebraska. To-day every one was earlier
than usual. Judge Porter arrived a quarter of an
h our before the court opened. He carried large
portfolio under his arm. Register Bruce sat among
the experts.
AN INTRUDER BOUNCED.
An interesting incident that happened little
before the court opened the collaring and for
chile removal by Deputy Williams, OF a spruce
young gentleman who had reached and secured a
seat at the defence table false pretances, as 1t
was charged. He said that he had been requested
by Gliteau to attend. AS there seemed to be no
foundation for the statement, he was unceremo-
niously removed. Marshal Henry made his
usual short address before the court opened,
counSelling the maintainance Of order
Guiseau's Opening Remarks.
HIS NOTICE TO Mr.. PORTER.
Even the judge was earlier than usual this morn
Ing, and the court was called to order at 10 :05.
The prisoner was brought in few minutes later
and placed Immediately in the box. He turned
his attention at once to some newspapers in his
hand. but was shortly interrupted by Mr.. Porter.
Before Mr.. Porter could get out his first question
the prisoner stated:
81 desire, Judge Porter, to say to you and to this
honorable court. that l decline to answer any
questions that will be a repetition of anything |
have said If you have cot anything new on this
subject Will answer, otherwise Won't,unless the
court directs it."
CrOSs.eXaminatiOn Resumed.
Mr.. Porter asked if his purpose in removing the
President was to get sale for his book.
The prisoner answered indirectly that it was to
preach the gospel Being compelled by the court
10 answer the question directly he said: "Yes,
Sir: with modification. as previously stated to
preach the gospel as set forth in that book"
GUITEAU CLAIMS THAT HIS WRITINGS ARE IN
sPIRED-''THE BIBLE BROUGHT DOWN TO THE
PRESENT TIME"
Being asked II he considered his writings as the
gospel and inspired, he said: SIT is collateral and
parallel inspiration to the Saviour. Twill say that
the book is the Bible brought down to the present
ume,-w1th all due respect to the Biblical writer's.
1t came from the same Deity that inspire them"
MIR. Porter referred to the Napoleonic ring Of
certain OF GuitaauS declarations.
The prisoner said he had never read much about
Napoleon or Caesar; these sentences were from his
own brain; his book had lots OF specimens OF the
same style.
man OF brain power, and remarked that he thought
the jury agreed with him.
81 thank yOu," said the prisoner.
"It is an honest opinion,' said Judge Porter.
VI stake my chances on this court and jury to
see see said the prisoner, "that the Deity inspired
the act and am no fool. The Deity never en-
ploys fool to do His work.
MAN OF DESTINY.
Being questioned as to whether he did not be-
leve himself man OF destiny like Napoleon, the
prisoner said: 81 want TO say claim that am a
man OF destiny. As much the Saviour or Paul
or Martin Luther or any of those kind of men,
''Was your destiny to remove the President?"
"My destiny was to execute the Divine Will"
THE PRISONER wORRIED-A QUESTION WHICH WAS
NOT ANSwERRED.
"When were you first inspired?"
81 decline to discuss this question with you any
further"
Being questioned further. he said: 81 won't be
annoyed this way any longer. If your honor please.
ask the protection OF the court from this kind of
crOSs-cXamnatjOn"
Mr.. Porter asked if the prisoner was not inspired
to start . theOcratic daily
The witness said "IeS."
Mr.. Porter asked il it was not a failure a ulles-
tiOn which stuck the prisoner
GUITEAU'S LETTER TO THE ONEIDA COMMUNITY.
The district attorney here gave Mr.. Porter some
papers. One OF these-a letter-was handed to
he said: Ths is my letter, sir; and will read it'
Mr.. Porter objected to it at first, but the pris-
Oncr insisted
'sThis was written" he said "about the time
left the Community, in April, 1865, but it is not
dated" The prisoner then read the letter, which
follows:
$40 the Conan,onity:'
81 am about to leave you. The movement about
to be made has been long pondered and well con-
sdered, and make it in obedience to an trresistl-
yicfinn hiatt do fDnf yvilJ la
me- The most painful thing connected with it is
leaving so many warm hearts; but cannot yield to
pleasure-seehtng spirit, and therefore must man
fully obey the call OF God God and my own con-
science drive me to the battle, and dare not draw
five years ago,driven into this Community and run
through a most crucifying experience. 1t all means
preparation for the great work Of my life which is
to give Jesus Christ a daily paper: know that
have received a vastly better education in the
Oneida Community than ! could have received at
thank the Community for their forbearance and
patience with me, and hope God will, in due time,
avoid all unnecessary talk about this move
ment, and let me withdraw as quietly as possible.
II the Community would make me free to visit
them whenever 1t may be expedient for both par
ties should deem it a great favor. Should our
folks choose to visit me they would be heartily wei
81 have not seen this letter since then" said the
prisoner when he concluded.
A Roll Of Musty Manuscript.
MIR. Porter then handed up large roll OF muSty
manuscript and asked the prisoner to identify it.
The prisoner gr1nned as he turned over the pages.
"My name is signed to it," he said. 81 am not
prepared to swear that this is my handwriting. 1t
may be forgery. 1t doesn't look like my hand
writing now"
The prisoner was allowed permission to look
over the paper, and when he had glanced over it
said he would read 1t aloud.
Mr.. Porter objected.
81 wouldn't trust you to read it." said Gutteau.
"The document looks as though it had been mutt
been cut off,"
"Thats not the question" said Mr. Scovllle.
"Well, 1t is very important question:" said the
prisoner, "if they have mutilated this paper and
then want to put it In as evidence"
MI ScOville said that he would like to look the
paper over before it was read aloud; SO it was
handed to him for peruSaL
s'It is full Of theOcratic ideas and Inspirations
and sounds, just as used TO talk at that tille,"
said the prisoner, as he surrendered the paper.
The manuscript was long statement OF his pur-
poses and reasons for establishing a "theOcrdtic"
daily.