New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-29
Az AMERICAN TRT4L.

AT the beginning OF ibis horrible tragi-
comedy which has lust ended in Washington
TIE TRIBUNE called attcntion to the di>tinc-
lively American features stamped upon the
whole trial: the laXity Of conventional rules, the
latitude allowed to the prisoner, the respect,
even Difference, with which his inccssant inter-
rup;ions we're received. The result Of the
trial is quite as significant of the National
character as any other part OF it. The jnlN
were very fair representatives of the great aver
ace mass behind them. They did not possess
exceptional intellect nor scientific nor legal
knowledge, neither were they markedly de-
Gcicnt in any way They belonged to the great
middle class in which are to he found the sound
common sense, quiet domestic virtues shrewd-
ness and energy which have given to the United
States it's character and name Mach of the
technical testimony of til" experts probably was
lost upon many Of them, as it was upon the
Nation at large so were the labOrcd appeals OF
counsel.
Guitcau cunningly tried throughout the trial
to bring the weight of public opinion to bear
upon them, by representing the press and the
couutrv ut large as on his side. Judge Cox de
clarrd that it was an insult to the jury to sup
nose they could be Influenced by such an aTgu-
mrnt. But the ease was on trial before the
whole American Nation as well as themselves,
and they knew it, The evidence was laid before
the people 70 the last detail. The fact that the
Nation believed Guitcau insane would natu-
rally inscnSibly impress perfectly honest jury
man with dstrt,t of his own opinion. 1t is
AN exceptionally strong man who can be sure
he is right with the world on the other side.
Both Reed and ScOvillc, too, introduced a
Western style of argument heretofore unknown
i'm Eastern courts, and which We hope viii re-
main sol. e., the jury were to acquit because
oi TIC effect which the verdict might have in
Eurouc. They attempted, also, at the instga-
ton of Guitcau (who is a Shewd,r-w itted man
than either, to excite The compassion of the
Jury by declarations that tie prisoner was PEN
niles,. unable 20 pay fora proper defence while
the Government paid the counsel for the prose-
cutiOn enormous fees, and the experts, men
most eminent in their profession for skill and
probity, we've induced to swear to Il lie by ths
lavishly spent blood money. Mr.. Scoyillc, in
his frantic cndcavor to ward OF the disgrace of
the calloWs from his OWL family, hurled accu5a-
ton, of perjury rs the mailman illugs fire
brands They harmed nobody.
The Jury, to their credit be it said, were ut
terly umnoycd by all these impertinent side
issues. Was the man sane or mailman
That was the one question they had to solve,
and they quietly brought their common sense
and force to bear on it alone. The evidence
was weighty, but the prisoner himself was the
best witness for the prosecution. If there be
single scruple remaining in the mind Of any
American as to the hanging OF this murderer Oh
the ground that he is insane, it should be re-
moved by the decision OF twelve practical men
who have had him cOuntcrieiting insanity daily
under their eyes f)r six weeks and who yet
unanimously pronounce him sane. Madness