Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-07-06
GUITEAU.
Final Close of the National Tragedy.
CLEMENCY REFUSED.
THE ASSASS|N'S LAST HOURS.
Temporal and Spiritual Arrangements Tor
the last Act in this Eventful History.
"GLORY!-READY!-GO p
Gods Man Gone to his Reward.
CONSISTENT TO THE END.
Tho Nation Formulated.
THE ASSASS|N'S LAST HOURS.
"GLORY!-READY!-GO!'
Gods Man Gone to his Reward.
CONSISTENT TO THE END
The Nation Propitiated
A DELICATE POSITION.

DELICATE POSITION.
For week preceding last Friday, the CEN
trail figure of attraction in Washington City
was Charles Julius Guiteau, the assassin of
President Garfield. AS the appointed time
for the execution of the dread sentence Of the
law drew neal, the public mind again reverted
to the national criminal, and no small degree
of interest was manifested as to what would
be the result of the efforts of earnest counsel,
a sympathiziIg brother and devoted sister in
securing executive interference with the man-
date of the criminal court. The President
was placed in delicate and embarrassing po-
sition. He knew, as common observation had
taught every one, that a large majority OF the
American people belived Guiteau to be of un-
sound mind. He no doubt thought 80 him
self, and had the victim of the asSaSsin's bull
let been less conspicuous person than the
President of the United States, that fact would
have went far in favor of the culprit ending
his existence in lunatic asylum instead OF
shutting off this mortal coil at the end of a
rope. When Mr.. Reed, the faithful counselor
of the assassin, was permitted final interview
with the President, he found the chief execu-
tive greatly moved. 1t is represented that so
marked was the Presidents emotion at times,
that it was difficult for him to speak. Mr..
Reed only asked respite until next Novem-
Der, 80 that he could lay some newly dis
covered testimony, as confirming the insanity
theory, before the President, which he hoped
would then lead the President to appoint a
commission of enquiry. He pressed upon the
President the possibility that the autopsy of
Guiteau might reveal such unmistakable, i'll
disputable evidences of insanity as would con-
vince the world that the man had been improp-
erly treated. Of course that would be too late
to remedy the wrong, and too late to benefit
the assassin, but it would not be too late for
remorse, regret and desire to make things
right. The President only replied that he
should be guided largely by, the advice OF his
Cabinet, to which Mr.. Reed suggested that in
question of this nature the President should
attach no more Importance to the opinions of
the members of his Cabinet than any other
persons he might consult.
UNAvAILING EFFORTS.
Besides the efforts of Mr.. Reed, John w.
Guiteau submitted to the President mass of
documentary testimony. being mainly extracts
from private correspondence, some Of it dating
several years back, affirming the insanity OF
his brother Mrs. Scoville, under date of
June 18th, addressed womanly appeal, only
such as could be inspired by a sisters devo-
tion, to the President, her appeal based on
the insanity theory; and Mr.. Scoville, who
had practically withdrawn from the case, also
felt it incumbent upon himself to address the
president, reviewing the case from his stand
point. Mr. Scoville only asked respite, that
the question of Guiteau's sanity might be
settled by competent commission. He al
legged however, that he did not have fair
trial that but few witnesses dared to testify
fully and fairly according to their knowledge
in favor Of the prisoner, and that he was
convicted upon the antiquated rule of law
that, if he knew the act was legally wrong
and knew the penalty prescribed by law there
for, then he must be found guilty. Upon this
assumption large majority Of the inmates of
madhouses who commit offences could be
taken out, tried and convicted. An associa-
tion of medical experts also petitioned for a
respite, solely on the claim that Guiteau was
insane This paper was referred to the attor-
ney general, who, in replying to the petition
ers, after briefly stating the main points in
the history of the trial, and the several re-
views of the proceedings upon motions for
new trial, pointed out very forcibly that the
occupied much of the time of the court. The
murder was practically admitted, and there
was no room for doubts as to all the facts
connected with it's commission. The fullest
discussion was given to every feature OF the
inquiry upon the subject of insanity, and the
largest latitude was allowed the prisoner and
his counsel. The attorney general also ex-
pressed the opinion that the petitioners failed
to furnish the least reason to justify the Presi-
dent in interfering in the most unusualan ex-
trsordinary manner proposed. In the opin-
ion of the attorney general, the views of the
few who had petitioned for the respite ought
not to prevail against the preponderance Of
opinion on the part of the medical profession
that Guiteau was legally responsible for his
acts. There was no difference of opinion
whatever in the Cabinet in regard to the pa
per of the attorney general, and in fully and
unanimously approving the same, the Presi-
dent was the first to express his views, and he
gave the most emphatic assent to the positions
taken by Mr.. Brewster. This was to the
President the shortest way out of the diff
Guilty, and by the endorsement of the attor-
ney generals positions, he practically rejected
all other petitions for respite or clemency,
though his treatment of the unfortunate rela-
tives of the prisoner was invariably kind and
considerate.
s'BREAKING THE NEWS GENTLY"
After it was found that the President had
taken his position, and from which he could
not be swerved, it remained for the spiritual
adviser of the doomed man to convey to him
the intelligence that his last ray of earthly
hope had fled. This spiritual adviser, as
Fate seemed to decree, is none less than
Rev. DR.. Hicks, kind of politico-religico
crank, who, while he prayed with Guiteau
fervently and unctiously, humored him in
all his fanatical conceitS. AS an etficaciouS
mode of "consoling'' Guiteau he never doubt
ed the "inspiration" idea, nor did he COM
bat the solacing thought of Guiteau that
he alone was Goods man. Hicks was a
delegate to the Chicago convention from
Florida and chairman of the Florida delega-
tion. He supported Grant for the Presidency,
and it was he who nominated Judge Set
tie for ce-president. His relations with Ar
thur, however, are intimate, and he never per-
mitted an opportunity to pass without express
ing to the President his opinion of Guiteau's
absolute insanity.
GODS MAN.
As was to be expected, when the Reverend
gentleman broke the unwelcome news to Gui-
teau, which, however, was conveyed in the
most pleasant manner, the prisoner gave vent
to a paroxysm of rage, and said to his spiritual
adviser: go and see Arthur and shake your
fist in his face. Tell him l made him Presi-
dent by my inspiration and he must give me
an unconditional pardon. If he does not,
God will blast him forever. am Gods man,
aud God takes care of his own" But as Mr..
Hicks knew that the President took no stock
in the inspiration theory, instead of bearing
this impertnent message, in breezy, CHEEKY
way he began to talk to his parishioner about
the beauties of the New Jerusalem and the
mysteries of revelation. 1t is always interest
ing to see how cheerful men are when they are
advising others who are to die in a few days
or hours. In this instance both parties were
cheerful. Guiteau especially grew quite en-
thusiastic over the mysteries of the shining
realm, and entertained no doubt whatever of
his triumphant entrance upon bountiful re-