The Baltimore County union., 1881-07-09
THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF
THE PRESIDENT.

Our whole Nation has been both ast0unded and
shocked at the dastardly attempt made on Satur-
day morning last, I'd inst, soon after O'Clock, by
vile, would-be murderer, to assassinate James
A. Garfield, President of the United States at the
depot of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, in
Washington city, as he was about starting for New
York and other portions of the North. The deed
was perpetrated by man known as Charles J.
Guiteau, hailing from Chicago and other parts of
the West, who had been hanging about Washing
ton during several weeks past. He is between 35
and 40 years of age, an American by birth, born
in Illinois, but supposed to be of French descent
We give fuller particulars Of the outrage elsewhere
in the UNION of to-day.
We desire particularly to direct attention, edi-
torially, to this monstrous and high handed out
rage that, with others of the public press, may
aid in denOuneing so henOus a crime. Language
cannot be found strong enough for the condemna-
tion which it merits, nor could the inAiction of
punishment upon the perpetrator be too speedy
and severe. Let us hope it will be meted out to
him and an example made never to be forgotten
by the civilized Nations of the earth. Whether
President Garfield live or die-and we gladly say
there are now great hopes of his ultimate recovery
let the punishment of this iend in human shape
be made to pay the adequate penalty of his great
offence to its fullest and farthest extent. Let it
be shown that not only individuals but Nations
thus feully wronged must be avenged. The crime
is one that strikes not only at individual but
National life. 1t is assassination of the most in
human and deepest die. The very attempt at so
foul a deed-though the laws in our country do
not admit Of it-ought to be made capital and ex-
plated with death to the offender.
The attempt upon the Presidents life is such as
to involuntarily command the sympathes of all
citizens of our country, burying in the shades of
fOrgetfulness partizan feelings and animosities of
every kind and complexion. There can be but
sentiment and that one of for the
afflicted, suffering President, Indignation at the
enormiy ofthe deed and detestation of the offender
1t is outrage upon the American people that
inuendOes have appeared in some public prints
and harsh expressions been made by excited par
tizans, intimating that high-toned gentlemen and
able statesmen, not exactly in accord with Prcsi-
dent Garfield and certain of his measures, con-
nived at this attempted assassination in order to
Outwork ends congenial to their own purposes
We cannot for moment entertain even a remote
thought that such could have been done, nor do
we imagine the accused ever dreamed of such a
thing. The whole truth of the matter simply is
that the assassin, Guiteau, is sort of dementcd,
crazy, devilish fanatic, who took up the idea of
numbering the President, just other wild unates
have hitherto done in reference to other victims,
and that he alone did the deed of his own accord,
nnaided by any one. This is the most consistent
and charitable view of it. He is evidently crazy
upon the subject which occupied his mind at the
time, hence the terrible consequences. Whilst a
dreadful calamity it is grevous misfortune.
Let US hope for the best, and that our noble,
revercd Chief Magistrate may speedily recover and
again be enabled to discharge the full functions of
his exalted station. If, on the other hand, Provi
dence orders otherwise and he should be called
hence, still we have reason of despairing when
possessed of so great and prosperous a Nation,
with another in the person of Mr.. Arthur as its
Chief Executive.