West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1881-10-21
And 10 Keep Democrats and Reb-
els Out Of Onice.
Simply Followed the Antecedents
and Precedents of the Party
with which He Trained.

L
Special Correspondence ct the Register.
WAsHINGTo., October 1S.
The usual enterprise Of the New York
Herald secured for its columns the first
publication of Gniteau's so-called contes-
sion Wo lay before our readers this
morning, a still more important docu-
ment, procured through the energy of our
representative at Washington. 1t has
been known for some days that the pris
oner, unable to procure other counsel, and
having little confidence in his brother-in-
Jaw, Scoville, has been preparing his own
case. The argument with which he pro-
poses to address the jury is now compile
ted, and we have the pleasure OF laying it
before our readers this morning in ad-
vance of any other paper in the country.
1t is as follows, although Guiteau says,
that in the oral delivery, he proposes to
amplify considerably some of it's points.
and to increase his citation of prece-
dents:
MAY IT PLEASE THE CoURT-GRNTLR-
MEN OF THE jury ropel with dsdain
the defense of insanity. l ask no favor
on any ground that implies mental or NOR
al weakness, or want of appreciation
of the decd have done. 1
admit that fired the shot which killed
President Garfield. l acqlit Bliss and
Company of any hand in that result, and
| stand here to-day TO confess the act and
justify it. IL is not, assure you, hastv
or i'll CO.. sidered deed. 1t was resolved
npon after calm ard mature deliberation.
and done after many days patient waiting
FIR the favorable occasion. My design
and my wish was to infct immediate
death. That the distinguished victim lin
gered 50 long and suffered so deeply
have always regretted, but even this has
had its compensation, for his prolonged
suffering touched the popular heart, and
gathered about his last DAYS sentiment
which will
ALWAYS ADD LUsTRE TO ms FAME.
From that fame would not detract in the
least. AS / had in my heart no drop of
of malice for the living man, l have no
word of reproach for the memory of the
dead one.
But you ask, gentlemen, why commit
ted this capital act, and upon what ground
rest my defense With you and with pos
teri,y. Listen patiently aud / will toll
you frankly.
sm theolugan and d politician; in
each a stslwart. For years l have been n
member Of the most advanced
section of the Republican party: have
drank IN the teachings OF its leaders, and
applauded its most radical measures.
have scorned the cant Of Liberalism. and
have sat al the feet of tho Beechers, Ha-
vens and Fultons of the Logans, Chan
dlers and CCnklngs, and gloiied in their
fierce Gnsthemas of Rebels md Democrats
In their robust school learned that psrtv
success IS the first and chief end In poh-
tics, to he secured fairly if practicable
but at ell events to be secured; that this
end jus,ides, sauctifes and makes bonors-
bic meane that elsewhere were crimiu,l
or degrading. The virtue, the intelli
gcnce, the pieIY Of the country arc in the
Republican party; The vice, the ignorance.
the dcpravity of the couatry are in the
Democratic party. The Administration.
with its immense power and patronage.
must ever be kept in the hands Of the
faithful and deserving.
This ia the substance, the sum total Of
the creed we profess, aud upon which we
have acted with never broken consistency.
In iis application we have enfraucbjsed or
distrauchised, es necessity demande1.
havo eel Up and pulled down State Gov
ernments; have oYerridden olcctions; have
BROKEN rVEoucn LAW AND OVERTURNED
COURTS
Trained IN such a school ard manfred
by such teachers, it was plain necessity
and duty for me to kill General Garfield.
The salvation and continued supremacy
of my party required it, Elected with
the utmost difficulty aud by the faithful
cooperation Of the party, his first &C
tions tended 10 open AGAIN, and % Der.
peiuate that schsm which bad begun in
tho nervcIess reign of bis predecessor. I
saw the chasm daily widening which
threatened TO open an casy way for Dem.
ocrats and rebels TO come into power
which, iu any event, shut on, from place
and patronage the real leaders Of The mar.
". There was clearly but one remedy
for coming disaster. The death of Gar.
held, ihe accession Of 5ialwart Roppbli. /
canism 20 the Presidency would avert
both evils. The party would again mite /
under its genuine leaders, and Democrats .
and rebels would not only remain I'm dc.
teat, bot would be made 90 feel the strspg
arm of mastery over them. detcrn.ned .
to consummaio This glouoas result. I was .
only fearful that the honor w,uId tc 1
snatched from me by some one eo1srv .
clear sighted and equally heroic. hast /
o. 60 La. ID