New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-18
TIE 6 coNSpR1cYg AG1LNSr GEIrEIE.


Badly stated, the counsel for President Gar
fields murderer stands up in Court and charges
the prosecuting officers with consprine against
the life of the confessed assassin. Was there
ever such an exhibition Of bIaZcn hardhood
and audacity? 1t outdoeS Guitcau himself
For the assassin scattering right and left Oh the
counsel and witnesses for the prosecution hi,
foul-mouthcd ribaldry ana abuse, has in IT all
the very evident purpose of Stimulating ire
spousiblc insanity. 1t is disgraceful Of course,
but considering the circumstances and the
course of events during the trial not 50 much to
be wondered at, that Guitcau himself in the
exercise of the large license that has been al
lowed him should charge conspiracy against his
prosecutors. But that his counsel, man who
makes no prctcnce Of being irresponsible,
should under such circumstances as surround
this trial indulge in the line of argument if it
can be called argument, which he has pursued,
seems incredible. 1t puts the cap-shcdf upon a
judicial proceeding which i'm every conspicuous
feature and in almost every detail has been
disgrace to the courts Of the country. Who
would have believed six months ago, when the
Nation hung i'm suspense over the bedside Of
this cowaldly murdcrcr's victim, that in an open
court of this country the assassin would ever
be justiying his crime upon the plea Of inspiIa-
ton, his counsel charging conspiracy upon the
prosecuting officers and experts, and the loath-
some creature himself posturng before Court
and public while making CHASTITY jokes and puns
to excite the laughter of a w.lc>s audience
1t is difficult to appreciate the shocking char
actcr of this dsgraceful show except rs We turn
bacG the hand upon the dial, connect the trial
with the crime, and imagine these scenes fol-
loving close upon the Presidents death and
burial and before the lapse of time had dullcd
the sense of grief and horror in the public
mind. But the spectacle is no less shameful
now no less disgracelul to the dignity Of the
Court, than it would have been six months ago.
1t is the same daStardly crlme the same cow
ardly assassin. The character OF neither has
changed. If any change has happened 1t is in
this: that the murderer himself has contributed
so largely to his own trial as to leave no doubt
in the public mind of his absolute responsibility
for the crime or the utter dcpavity of his
character. Early in the trial TIE TRIBUNE, in
the belief Of the possibility of his insanity and
with a desire perhaps that such a verdict might
be found in vindication of human nature, be-
spoke Il fair trial and suspension Of public
Judgment. But the behavior of the prisoner, his
counsel and his family friends has been such
AS not only to leave no doubt as to his sanity
and responsibility, but to arouse profound in
dignation at the brazcn assurance, the black
ingrattude and the insatiatc appetite f)r noto-
ricty of the whole Guiteau family Never was
a confessed criminal permitted such license as
this one never was kindness paid with such
base iugratitudc by himself and his friends
4 Il, ,r
United States in cold blood after week, of de
liberation and pistol practice. The Govern
ment whose Chief he murdered and whose peO
pie he plunged i'll grief, has protected him from
the indi gnant populace who would have torn
him limb from limb, has given him long and
patient hearing, and has paid his witnesses,
permitting him 20 summon a large number of
experts TO testify is to his mental condition
the newspapers and the public sympathZcl
with his counsel (>coyille) and lis family under
the mistaken impression that they felt the dis,
grace Of their hinsmaus crime and the annoy
8ucc Of their unsDugtt nOtOriety; on all sides
there has been an evident disposition to treat
the family kindly and give the criminal the
benefit Of every doubt as 10 hi, sanity. }1t the
cXpcrts-sOmc Of them summoned for the de-
lcucc-could not con,cientously say they be-
Hcycd Guitcau insane. The prosecuting
officers accepting their judgment, have prose-
cutcd him rs If sane, and conducted the trial in
that belief, simply DONG their duty and no
more. And for this Mr.. Scoyllle and the Gui-
team family cry ont against the Government,
tn" prosecuting officers the newspapers and the
public as con,priuR against the life of the uH
fortunate lunatic. The impudence of these
people may almost be said to be more ostound-
ing than the original crime. They act as if
they thought President Garlicd's life was of
small consequence, but that it would be mon
strous injustice to take the life of this miscr-
able wretch VINO never did worthy act OF an