The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-06-29

sideration or feeling shall drive me to Join
the masses Of ignorant and learned alike
who, through passion, are willing to turn
back the tide Of civilization, and hold that
the words and acts Of an insane man should
be measured by the same standard OF re-
sponsibiIity that Is applied to persons OF
sound mind.
The trial did not settle the question OF
his sanity. He was convicted upon the
antiquated rule Of law that il he knew the
act was legally wrong and knew the
penalty prescribed by law therefor, then
he must be found guilty. a large majority
Of the inmates Of madhouscs who commit
offences could be taken ont, tried, aud con-
victed under the same rule. Shall this be
a precedent for such practices! Shall our
asylums yield up their iibbering, senseless
inmates 10 he transferred to the felon's
cell or to end their lives upon the gallows
Humanity has but one answer to this
question. and in the end merciful ludg-
mcnt will condemn what is now enacted IN
obedience 10 blind wrath.
THE INSANITY ExrERTs.
But few witnesses dared 10 testify fully
and fairly, according TO their knowledge,
in favor OF the prisoner. ON the other
hand, popular ovation awaited any one
who could remember or manufacture q
point against him. Opinions holding him
sane were at such premium that some
scientific gentlemen could not resist the
temptation 10 invest. Defendants counsel,
who has been lately. il newspaper reports
he true. iraduced before the President Tor
incompetency, found it extremely diiiicult
TO ascertain and make proof OF facts
and opinions which really existed.
In more than one instance supposed
honorable expert witnesses disappointed
him in airing their opinions for notoriety.
A vast crowd Of that class OF men pressed
themselves or We're urged by their friends
upon his attention. He took such as in the
urgency OF the trial seemed best. Among
those rejected was DR.. George VI. Beard,
OF New York. who now seeks a petty re-
venge OF maligning him. 1t seems that
Mr.. Reed also has descended to like argyll
ment in his extremity for Executive favor.
Their reasons may be good, but think the
abuse / have received from the prisoner
and his family might have sufliced.
NOT A FAIR TRIAL.
Can trial be said to have been fair or
impartial when the entire press OF the
country was clamoring for conviction!
When the pulpit was fierce in forestalling
the issue by inycctiyc and denunclatlon
When the people at large were crying out
10 hang the prisoner, sane or insane
When out OF three open attempts 20 MUIR
der him while in the custody Of the law,
ONLY one offender has been brought 10 trial.
and his act has been made the occasion
Of glorifyine the most outrageous breach
Of military discipline and OF rewarding II
with wealth and honors.
An UNPLEASANT CONTRAST.
During the star-route trials, now in pro-
grcSs in the same court, the presiding
Judge has very properly seen fit to reprove
with severity the course OF certain newSpa-
pcrs that have been commenting upon the
action OF the Court, and attempting. 10y
published articles, 10 turn the course of JUS
tce I'm favor Of the defendants. In the Gui-
teau case the press INDUCED in denmcia-
tons and threats without stint during the
trial against the prisoner, his counsel, and
even the Jury and the Court, If a speedy
verdict OF guilty were not found, yet with
out reprOof. In the one case the Govern
mcnt. with all its power and prestige, It's
unlimited wealth, its brilliant array OF
counsel, is liable TO be slightly embar-
rassed 10y newspaper interference. and the
strong arm OF the Court is raised mena-
cingly TO strike the offenders. In the other
q helpless. insane man is on trial Tor his
life, without money or friends, hunted like
a wild beast, with insufficient and ineXpe-
ricnced counsel. asking only that the Court
guarantee fair trial upon the merits, and
the same newspapers TEEN with articles
daily TO obstluct the course of justice and
prejudice the case, and are applaudcd by
the people and at least tacitly approved by
the Court.
LetJu3tico be blind. nor seek the shame.
The passions Of mankind work In her name.
GEORGE SC0vILLE.
Mr.. Hicks had 4 long talk also with Sec
rotary Chandler. but it will be found that
nothing can swerye the President now. II
all this rumpuS had been made six months
ago, the Guiteaus might have expected the
appointment Of a commission, but it is very
unfair TO thrust it on The President in the
very last week OF the assas>in's existence.
ON TIE sCAFFOLD.
What the assassin will do and say upon
the scanold, beside, praying, in those few
evcntful moments preceding the execution
J. becoming subject Of general comment.
The programme is likely to be very simple.
Guitcau will hardly venture 10 sing for u
very practical reason-he cannot sing. He
has no more idea OF tune than bat. lie
has esSayed TO whistle but twice during his
confinement, and both times he quit dis
gusted. Up TO the present time he has
prepared no Z" last epistlc," nor even any
notes which might be used as the text for a
farewell discourse.
The exact time Of the execution has not
vet been definitely fixed. The Courts
direction was that il should take place be.
tween the hours OF noon and u. VI. In
this connection there comes up the curious
possibility OF some unavoidable delay
which might protract the execution until
after 2 O'Clock. Upon this point there is
no very definite authority. 1t is the opin.
ion of some, very well Informed upon the
subject, that the hanging would be illegal
before the appointed hour, hut within the
law any time upon the day prescribed after
such hour. So that should the scaffold
break down or should Guiteau be taken
suddenly violently i'll Il delay would make
no vital difference, and no special direc.
ton OF the Court would be necessary &c
execute the sentence any hour that same
day.
THE BODY-CRCSH FOR TICKETS.
With all the talk about pcddling Gui
teau's body around after death, selling oil
preserving his clothes, have no doubt The
body after the autopsy will be delivered &c
John w. Guiteau.
The crush for tickets continues, but il /,
gratifying to note that senator's and repre-.
scntatiyes in Congress seem to manifest