The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-01-12
" Wa&fliHgfOn Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. y G..

Su"!uS CioSC uppu irS Tb'I. anu ~ uc-
comes more anC more fixed in the
minds of close observers that the
wretch Guiteau has been w.avicg bis
own rope. The people Of Washing
ton, aud of the country, have been
Justly <incensed at the Hdisgraceful
scenes and outrageous conduct Of the
prisoner in court during the progress
of the trial. but the Que mitigating
fact iu counpction with it is that al
this has simply had the effect to make
justice Surer It has obliterated Every
vestige Of sympathy which at the be-
ginning some felt for the miserable
creature; has given the experts aud
Court an opportunity to study his
mind and character, and gore far to
enforce conviction upon the mirda Of
the jury. No one who has observed
the jury during the last two weeks ex'
presses the least doubt that their
minds are made up beyond the slight
est probability Of change 1t is likely
that within one week from this time
the verdict Of guilty will have been
returned, seuteuce Of death pronounced
and Guiteau will be lying in cell, his
brayado all gone, in condition Of ut
ter, cowardly, urpitied prostration.
After lie has given up hope there will
be 40 more doubt outside: the court
room OF his absolute accountability
than there is with those vic have
witnessed his daily manifestations Of
uugovernablc malice. brutal cgotisu,
depravity aud blackguarGisur. lie is
shrcwd and cunning when confronted
with the possible Consequences Of his
act, aud has expected by bis conduct
TO save himself from all punishment
beyond few years IN an asylum,
meanwhile having secured the uoto-
rlety he so much covcts.
TO Que who watches him in she
court room this thirst for uosoricty
seems sufficient in itself to account for
tine murder OF the President. His
egotism and the immunity III has
uanased 20 secure during loag series
u petty oFclscs probably Induced a
tchef that he would escape serious
| punishment for dis last crime. He
had: unhappilY, many instances III the
records Of criminal trials 70 base a
theory upon that temporary Insanity
would furnish hin an available tx-
cuse. Trere is not q redeeGiing trait
in this wretched creature, least c: all
tie excuse Of uoaccountabl!ity. lie
seems able TO recognize nc motives ex-
cept such as animate Liusti;s lie
i'm putes to witnesses only the most
vulgar impulses His rejoiudcrs to
counsel Tor the Government are the
suaris Of 4 kicked cur. His vltupera.
;iGe treatment Of his sister sud the
lawyer who So patiently has conducted
his case far better than even more
sk,llfui but paid counsel would have
done, his base threats against the wo-
mau whu ha2 orcc been his wife, his
references to the father who boIe with
him so long, to his dead mother, to
the brother who can gain no benefit
from bis attendance CO his trial, are
Developments Of the most astounding
evil character thar has perhaps ever
manifested itself to the world. In
making up its judgment Of Guitcau
the country cannot compare him With
its experience Of other criminals He
is unparalleled. | have been told by
experts and others who hare had lnti-
mate acquaintance with convicts that
SO bad q man. with wickedDess 80 mir
rored in his face, they have never
seen. He has excessive brutality
without courage. Wi gar assertion
without self-copddeuce when fairly
confronted, abnormal malice without
the capacity Of strong hatred. In
stances of his cowardice are known to
his jailcrs which have not and cannot
be told ii print He is bestial
wretch and capable OF any crime, but
as responsible for his uets as any such
human brute cau be- I want simply
to add that, in the light Of recent de-
velopmeuts, the Injustice Of the criti
cism upon Judge Cox. is fully appa-
rent. H. has had u hard case to deal
with, and has shown patience and
wisdom through it all.
Congress has assembled again, but
nothing of consequence will be done
for soma days. The holiday recess
has been an exceptionally dull one in
this locality. New Years day, how
ever, was a stirring time, and the re-
ception at the White House was very
largely attended. The impression has
gone out that the usual receptions
every two weeks during the Winter
are not to be given this season, and so
everybody in town eadeaTored to avail
himself of this opportunity ,tc see
President Arthur in the White House
as we'll as to take a look at the mansion
in its improved condition. There
was in consequence a great Jam.
The reception for the general public
was preceded as usual by the official
reception of army and civil officers and
foreign ministers. It was for many
reasons notable reception, marked
new faces and new names, with new
rhiaf hao,ietrota and tho tn;ast tO.