Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-07-14

-
This ofscourse Is groundless, for no thinking
man could hardly conceive this would be con-
cocted as q remedy, apart from the .distins
gnishsd character Of the leaders Of the oppo-
sition to the administration.
The New York Sun relatos as parallel
instance the attempt Of Richard Lawrence to
assaesinete President jackson in 1885, while
he was attending at the capitol the funeral Of
Warren II. Davis, o distinguished member of
the House of Representatives from South
Carolina. Tho assassin waited for the close
Of the ceremony and as the President was
leaving the capitol snapped two pistols suc-
cessvely at and within few feot O. tho
President. tho caps exploding. bus failing to
ignite the powder. The pistol was found to
be carefully loaded with powder and ball.
The assassin was declared to bo lunatic,
who imagined the Presden. had killed. his
father. AT that time, says the San. tho Globe
published On article which reflected on Mr.
Calhoun's course and speech on tho day be-
fore as probably prompting the act, to which
Mr.. G. replied. We publish in this issue this
piece Of history.
Wc know tho tendency to seek a motive for
crime, but do not think any plot was ever
formed to kill President Garfield. On the
contrary wo believe the assassin was for tho
time demented, though his conduct elbows
method in his madaeSs. This, too, sooms to
be the theory OF prosont accepted, as the act was
both unexpected and uncalled for.
The administration Of tho Government un-
der Garfield has not been Objectionable to tho
people, unless it bo to the Staiwart element of
tho Republican party. Even with this faction
tho difficulty has arisen rather from the dis
tribution of tho spoils than from any act Of
maladn,inistratiou or any violation Of tho
fundamental principles of the government
lilo has been too fair and too conservative to
please the Stalwarts, but his course has been
such as met generally tho approval of tho
great body of the people of all parties, who
valued the progress and prosperity of tho
country above party ascendanoy.
Tho effect of tho attompt has been to mako
President Garfield tho most conspicuous man
in the United States. His past mistakes are
either forgotten or wiped out in his blood,
and his present and future administration
bids fair to moet the appreciation and support
of tho whole country. With anything like
care he cannot only promote largely the in
forests of the whole country, but can put off
his robes Of Office at the end of his term en-
joying tho highest respect and confidence of
his country. That which proved to bo most
serious misfortune to himself and family and
to the country has become blessing in dis
guise, not only securing general sympathy
for his administration, but in opening out
much of his private character and domestic
virtues, securing to him as On individual the
affection and confidence of men of all par
ties.
It's effect on tho country promises to be. to
conciliate, descctionalizc aud unity. Tho
messages of regret for tho country, Of sym
pathy for tho President and Of coincidence for
his family. forwarded by loading Southern
men and Democrats oil over tho country, bo.
ing tho heart feelings of tho people, cannot
fail of good effect. 1t is reasonably hoped
that the i'll aimed bullet of the assassin will
suddenly work moro peace and good feeling
betwcon the sections aud parties in week
than the canting, hypocritical speeches Of
demagogucs and politicians have accomplish.
cd in fifteen years. In this way order may
como out Of confusion, happiness out of ca
lamity and friendship out of sectional hate.
Whatever be its effect. and whether or not
the President recover, tho assassin Quitegu is
mono the less guilty or deserving Of punish.
ment. His crime in law may not be murder,
still in q moral point Of view he is as guilty
Of taking lifo, as if lis bullet Ind produced
immediate DEATH