The Rock Island Argus., 1881-11-30
ToFFIUAL PAPER.
Wednesday. November 80, 1881.
Guiteau is monstrositY; AM analom

Guiteau is monstrosity; an anatomy to
the extent that we have seen none like
him, but vet it is undoubted that the world
holds many similar ones. His prominent
characteristic is egetism, and while it can
hardly be said that it was the direct cause
of the crime he committed, still it was a
controlling influence. That egotism was
SO strong as to induce him to feel lnsulted
that his application for an Office was not
faYorably met, and his lack of moral quail
tiles led him to revenge that fancied insult
with the death of the President.
1t was horrible crime, horrible in many
ways; and yet the intense egotism of the
criminal leads him to take pleasure in the
position in which he is placed.
He is at present, on account of the
crime which he has committed, the most
notorious man in the country, and that no.
toriety is to him enjoyment. He delights
in it as boy would in a new toy, and all
remorse for what he has done is swallowed
up in the reflection that the eyes of the
whole people are upon him. That delight
impels him to do and say things which
will make him the more notorious. He
revels in it and his every action
shows the enjoyment he takes in the posi-
ton he holds. He is on trial for his life,
but this fact seems never to enter his mind
He is interested in the trial but seemingly
not as to its outcome, that he seems not to
have in view but only the one single cir
cumstance that men are looking at him,
and for that reason he is anxious to have
it thoroughly conducted.
When the end is reached and he receives
the punishment he 80 richly merits there
viii come a reaction, but not till then. AS
idea in his mind that he can ever be pun
ished; if he feels the possibility he never
expresses it. He is posing as great ma
tional spectacle and the position he occupies
suits HIM to nicely: He would not alter
the present. circumstance if he could He
has no wish to change, things as they are
suit him too we'll
The moral sense of man who can take
the position he does is strange and remark
able He has committed most heinous
crime and yet he enjoys it. He has
outraged the entire nation and still takes |
pleasure in 1t. He has done q |
a deed that every man execrates and in
spite of it all claims credit for it. He pro |
fesses to- have done good deed and in
sists on it to such an extent that one must |
fain believe he means what he says.
His self assurance is wonderful Yes
terday he objected 20 going upon the stand
sion" and his kwholc demeanor is that of
4 man who feels he deserves praise in
stead of condemnation.
How far he is responsible for his deeds
he jury are selected to determine and SO
ar as the law is concerned their verdict
will be final; but outside of all that is the
ceiling of the people that although man
ike Guiteau may not be merely response
lie for his deeds, yet the treatm ent accord +
d TO this man may inspire Others like
i'm to commit similar deeds; and men can
lways be found who are doubtless crank /,
d, and still that very crankedness will
nspire them to do such acts and in the no
oriety thus produced find reward for
that they have done Many man will
old. .his life cheap in comparison with
ne prominence thus given. and the fact {
nat they are insane should be no defense,
ecause it was the insanity which led
lem on. e