Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-15

Scov1Ile on the Rostrum-Pleading for
 Public Opinion i'm Favor of the Prison
 er-A Remarkable Lecture.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-At Lincoln Hall to night, on the occasion of MT. Scoville's lecture, the audience was small This, how ever, may have been caused by the rainy weather, as Scoville's friends claimed that large number of tickets had been disposed of. Scoville came on the platform alone and was greeted with applause He plunged at once into his subject, stating that the lecture was somewhat out of the ordinary course of pro fessionai etiquette, but he felt himself justi- fled in taking this step. The press, power full motor in affairs of public life, did not treat the case fairly. He did not wish to ex- tenuate the crime, but protested against ex
 cited expression against the prisoner in the press and pulpit. The press was inclined to pander to depraved or mistaken public senti- ment in regard to this case. Ministers of the gospel were impetuous and unchristlanl1ke in their comments on Guiteau. Nineteen-twen- tieths of the letters received by the prisoner contained threats against his life. MT. Sco- vile read one breathing Christian prayer that the assassin might be brought to 8 proper condition of mind. After scathing rebuke to Talmage, Beecher and other prom inent preachers for their unseemly attacks on the prisoner, he suggested that they ought not to speak on the subject unless they visit ed and tried to reform Guiteau. He pleaded for a suspension of opinion in re gard to the prisoners act and went on to say that there was general feeling of revenge felt by most people who talked or wrote about this case. q have good reason to be- lieve," he said, t'that the prisoner will not live ! til the conclusion of the trial. I do not say | this for sensational effect. On the same day | he was shot at spoke to the authorities, but no extra precautions were made for the pro- | tection of the prisoner. Marshal Hen- ! ry said there was no danger outside, but \ danger existed in the court room and he had distributed officers all around for Gui- teauis safety. told him the danger was outside and went to Corkhill and told him | the same thing. He said he would do what | he could. No extra precautions were taken | and that same afternoon the prisoner was shot at. ana not going to fight for the life of this prisoner in court except under the forms of law. am here to see that he has 8 | fair trial, to see that the evidence for and against shall be properly presented to the | court, and to see that, so far as the law is concerned, proper forms are observed so thai nothing can be laid to my charge afterwards. l I say to you and the public generally that il ! precautions are not taken I do not think | the responsibility rest where it may. I give
 warning" MT. Scoville then declared ir quiet but earnest tones that he wished the American people not to have the stigma oi the assassination of tke prisoner This part of the lecture was loudly applauded, an6 when he proceeded to eulogize Judge Con as possessing careful, candid and judicia mind, and that he was the best mar in the court to try this singulal case, loud and protracted demonstration of approval followed. The reflections ot the press on Judge Cox's conduct of thu trial were unfair and uncalled for. The ante
 cedents of the Guiteau family were nex traced They sprang from the Huguenot
 of France, and had always been deeply ina
 bued with religious principles. Traces O
 insanity undoubtedly existed, but the lecture did not believe in hereditary insanity. ant
 himself and wife were perfectly easy in mins l in regard to their children. After makinl
 this explanation MT. Scoville related his earl, connection with the case, showing how h was dragged into it Mrs ScoviIIe was tn
 only one who felt for the prisone
 after the killing of General Garfield
 There never occurred criminal case befor
 where man ever had less sympatheti
 friends Mrs. Seoville, however, urged hin I to undertake the defense with sisterly tender
 ness and at her solicitation he did so. Thi part of the discourse was delivered in slow earnest manner which made deep impres
 Eion on the audience, which seemed to be i ! sympathy with the speaker. Capital pun