The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-11-24
THE Gu1rEAu CASE.

From our Geographic reports it will be
seen that the interest in the trial Of the
assassin at Washington is daily on the in
crease. This interest, too, is being mani
tested by class of visitors to the court
room who are there to study the case, there
to watch the disposition of questions of
great moment, not only in the trial on
hand, but questions of such character as
when settled in so prominent contest will
possibly become controlling principles in
future causes of similar nature. The first
and second days of the examination the
rougher element filled the courtroom, an
element drawn there by nothing more than
idle curiosity, the controlling feature of
which, no doubt, was desire to get a
glimpse of Guiteau. But this class has be-
come satisfied and gradually dropped out
Of court, and we are informed that now a
really Intelligent audience occupy the court
chairs from day to day. The trial
has now been in progress some
six days, and bids fair to be
Drawn out at considerable length. As yet
nothing new or startling has transpired.
Guiteau, it will be noticed, has been max
ing himself doubly conspicuous on the
trial and has given rise to scene on each
succeeding day. 1t is, of course, mooted
question whether these manifestations of
temper and dissatisfaction on his part are
the genuine fruits of insanity or whether
they are preconcerted exhibitions designed
TO influence the minds of the jury.
1t is more than likely that this
latter theory is the correct one, for
while there is evidently, as we say in COM
mon parlance, "a screw loose, in the mans
brain, he Is too intelligent to believe that
are not necessary in his case or
that he could possibly defend himself, and,
indeed, his one fear seems TO have been
that he would not be properly represented.
II is very doubtful, however, if the jury
are impressed, as he hopes to have them,
by such conduct. The jury for the most
part are plain, laboring men, and not in
he habit of INDUCING in hair-sphtting
theories on the, subject of either law or
and will be pretty apt simply
o look at and Judge from what they see and
hey will not probably be very strongly in
lined 10 certify to the insanity Of man
Who can argue law questions and display
amiliarity with court defense, man who
ignifies his dependence ultimately upon
he right Of appeal, and who PROPOSES 10
have an idea OF justice. 1t is compare
lively easy for those who are accustomed to
watch closely different mental tempera-
nents and note the influence Of hallucina-
ions upon an apparently sound mind
o appreciate the presence OF insanity in
uch MAJ rs Guiteau, but the unlettered,
natt cr-offact individual cannot see such
hines, and viii very rarely give credence
D their existence. Then.again, that insanity |
lhich the law recognizes az an excuse Tor
rine IL q peculiar kind. II such as de-
lrovs All Kind Of obligation, sweeps away !
.orn the mind all distinctions Of right and
rrone and leaves its victim, q moral wreck.
fnder these peculiar circumstances II win
kelv prove Quite q difficult matter
y Mr.. scorille. with The preiudices
rainst nj. client, 70 convince The
nv hat the assassin Il too insane 70 be
"a accountable forhis murder0usacis. An
thsr point that the defense VIII probably
re with equal force uith the plea ofiusanity
The question as 10 What constituted really
be cause q the death. This VII no donbt
,-,.~e new interest and be regarded with
l-rs weight e. controlling article q De
~. b. Guitean's counsel. since the recent
--ussion In The North Americnn Review
. he subject Of The surgical treatmen. q
r. late President No les eminent
.fl.nrIfv than d. Hammond. q
- Tort apt rrieis1 rio stan1s a he
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