New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-11
THE GUITEAU TRTIL.

II seems likely that the coming trial Of chi
teau the assassin will furnish valuable cOntri'
buttons 70 medical jurisprudence and tho
literature of hOmcidal mania. The counsel fol
the deferce have wisely for their client and in
the interest of Justice as well, decided to prac-
tcally rest their whole case upon the plea OF
insanity. Even if there were a lOOphOle OF
escape for their client upon any technical plea,
it would have been unwiSe in them to have at
tempted to breast public sentiment in endeav-
oring to free the assassin from the consequences
of his crime upon a technicality; and, what
may seem paradoXical, it would have been more
pcrilous to the murderer to be acquitted on
such ground than anything that could happen
to him. For it is quite certain that this mans
life, were he left at large in almost any COM
munity in this country, would he in con-
slant danger The counsel have been wise in
selecting the only ground of defence that offers
the possibility of rescuing Guitcau from the
scafold The plea of insanity, if substan-
tiatcd may save the worthless life Of this mis-
cradle murderer, but it shuts him up
from the possibility of harming or being
harmed by his fellow-mcn. If found by jury
to be insane he will he imprisoned as an insane
con Wet If found by the jury to be of sane
mind be will hang.
These being the alternatives. whatever the
verdict Of the iury on his sanity-death by
! hanging or Imprisonment for lifc-thcre need be
no fear on the part Of those most clamorous for
! his punishment but that justice will be done
! him. The public may lool, on calmly while
| the testimony in the case is produced to
the jury, and the question fairly argued
hot sr uul lao Grin al
aud irresponsible person or Of a cold bloodcd,
| deliberate assassin. TIL" discussions that have
thus far been had in the press and elsewhere
have not seemed to be conducted with the Mt
most calmuos+. There has been So far as we
can see very little disposition to discus, the
question Of GuiDcaus insanity upon its own
merits. The effects of the de, i-on upon society,
upon foreign nations, upon the safety Of public
officers, and upOn the Prominence of free iusti-
tutons, have been the chief points touched ON.
II is maintained, on one hand. that it would bee
% severe blow 10 republican Institutions and
great olcoUIdgcmcut 20 the advocates of strong
government 10 permit il 70 ~ forth that the
life of % ruler chosen hv the people isuCt safe
from the people themselves, and that our i'm
sHtutions produce D elias, of Office seeker, who
become a>sa,,ius when disapp1utcd cousc-
qUcuty for the sake OF the precedent Guitrau
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