Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-07-14
Is Guiteau Insane ?

The question relative to the SAINT, or IN
sanity Of Guiteau has occupied the attention
Of many Of our best physicians, criminal
lawyers and detectives. and the most careful
investigation Of the circumstances proceed
ing. attending and subsequent to the attack
on the President. tend to create the uniyer.
20. belief that the man va, not even mo
nomaniac, but deliberate. calculating.
cold blooded criminal for whom no pun
ishment. under the law is adequate 4
writer, to the Tribune on this subject says
We do not ordinarily suppose that a sane
man. without motive, could assassinate
anot her with whom he had no personal al
tercation either prev iously or al the time
This presumption, however, which is only
in the nature Of first impression, Is re-
moved by events now known to have &C.
CURED both before. at the time Of, and after
the shooting. His purchase Of the pistol
his borrowing the money for that purpose
the selection of one of the most deadly
character the care employed in loading il ;
his inquiry with regard TO the time when the
President would leaYe the City of Wash
ington, and the railroad upon which he in
tended to travel his previous Yisiis To the
depot and his observation of the arrange
ments within the building; his engagement
of hack and directions as 10 where he
should be taken; his preparation beforehand
Of certain papers with reference both to his
previously formed intention TO kill the Pres
ident and 10 what be- expected would after
ward occur his visit 10 tht jail and his at
tempt TO examine the condition OF the cells
his reference to General Sherman and the
protection he expected TO receive from him
his frequent visits to the Presidents house
without making his special purpose known
his selection Of position within the door
Of the depot building SO that after the Pres
ldent passed him he could shoot him from
behind his carefully resting The pistol upon
hi. arm hi fiEing . second shot his at
tempt At immediate escape; his readiness to
surrender so soon a. be found escape i'm
possible; his anxiety 10 be hurried 10 the
Jail so a to escape the fury Of the crowd
rapidly gathering around the depot his
ayowal Of political motive for the assas-
sinaiion. and declaration that another man
would become President more favorable 10
his own political opinions: his expression OF
the hope since Imprisonment that the Presi-
dent would die-aii these things show de
gree Of deiiberatioR 80 entirely consistent
with intelligent and thoughtful action .. 10
| overcome the presumption Of lunacy, arising
from the apparent absence of motive. and
TO establish the absolute conviction of san
: ity.
has Guiteau shown any indications OF
monomanis il any of its forms? / think
not. Judging b, what his family say OF
him, and what is also said Of him by those
who have known him for severa. years and
in numerous places-by the printed publ;
cations he has made, by what is stated with
reference TO his OCCASIONAL public lecture,
| and by bis general characterize seems to
have supposed himself possessed of an in.
| tellect so superior to that Of the average OF
| men as to entitle him to become public
instructor upon divers subjects, including
religion and politics. His pretence Of wis
dom was not confined to ono. but embraced
both Of these. Nor has it gone to the ex-
tent Of mohomania upon either one Of them
He has written and published . pamphlet
upon the second coming of Christ, and de.
| liyered lectures upon that subject. But as
neither the pamphlet nor the lectures seen
| to have made any converts to his opinions