West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-02-03
AFTER TIE VERDICT.
EvIrEsS,S APPEAL 10 THE
AMERICAN EEogEE.


The next day after hie conviction
Guiteau sent the l~ollowing TO the
press for publication
To The American people:
Twelve men say l ~~ickcdly murdered
James a. Garfield. They did it on the
false notion that l am a disappointed ofico
seeker. Ny speech, they cay, made NJ
impression on theu. l sm not surprised
at the verdict, considering their class.
They do not pretend to be Christian men,
and, therefore, did not appreciate the
idea of inspiration. They are men Of the
world and of moderate Intelligence, and,
therefore, are not capable Of appreciating
the character Of my defense. According
to one Cf them, "We all had gravy at
each meal, and a CHAR attcrwa, d. which
showed their style and habit. M-n of
this kind cannot represent the great
Christian Nation of America. Had they
been heightened Christian gentlemen,
their verdict would nave been Not Gull
ty'-not because Of insanity. The mere
Outward act of the shooting would have
been the same whatever the motive. If
had been a disappointed office seeker,
which iS absolutely false, as l prove by my
papers and by Mr.. Brooks testimony. on
July 2l and 81, the outward act OF shoot
ing would have been the ssme as if ! had
been directed by Deity TO do t., or belioy-
"a myself SO directed TO DO It, which is the
literal truth, as | proved by all my papers
and talk on the subject. This jury had
not sufficient Intelligence 10 sec that point
end have entirely ignored the political and
patriotic necessity of the act which all
Christian and intelligent people see. For
this reason l am entitled 10 a new trial, If
for no other, and we have n ~prodigious
amount of exceptions. l want to employ
two or three first-class lawyers to take
charge of my case. The principal point
TO show nov is tho jurisdiction of this
Court to try this indictment, because the
President died in New Jersey. Authori
ties on this point are conflicting, but some
of the best lawyers in America say the
predominance OF authorities is against the
jurisdiction of this Court. / desire the
Court in BInc to pass upon this question,
aud | have no doubt but tho heightened
Christian men representing the Washing
ton Court in Bauc will give it their care
full attention TO the end, and that If Doity
intended to protect me from the legal liza
bility herein, by allowing the President to
depart gracefully and peacefully 10 New
Jersey, l shall have the benefit of Deity's
intention. l consider it especially provi
DENTAL 10 my favor, and ask the Court in
Banc TO so consider it.. 1 have received
some checks, but many Of them have
proved worthless, which shows the low
character of the men that send them. /
need money to employ counsel. There
are many people in America that believe
IN God and my inspiration, and that | am
a patriot. To you, men and women of
America, / appeal. In the name of jus
tice ONE speedily to nv relief. CO ne in
person or by letter. Ii YOU send money
send postal order or check TO my order.
With competent legal help l can get out
of this with the Lords help, and I am
sure OF that. But good lawyers do not,
work fol- nothing. l want to employ two
or three first class lawyers TO do my work
before the Court 10 Banc. If ] had had
competent counsel | should not have talk.
ed so much in Court. But | disagree with
the theory Of Scovills and Reed. and il
has made II unplea ant for both partiea
and has been a great damage 20 my de
fensei Judge Porter says ] am right. and
l agree with him, although / know he has
abused and yiliihed ne ontrGgcously,
when l had no alternative save to answer
back, which l did III my usual plain way.
l have been convicted, but the verdict can
not be enforced until ia JAY and proba-
bly, not until September. ! give myself
no anxiety on account Of The verdict. /
hardly expected M acquittal. Tue most
/ expected was a disagreement. Then I
proposed to test the question Of iurisdic
tion in the Court in Banc. II IS q purely
legal question, and if the opinion Of some
Of the best lawyers at the American bar is
sustained by the Court 10 Banc, IL will end
this case. / can get q hearing Of this in
April. make special appeal to the ladies'
Of America 70 come 20 my rescue. Some
OF them have written me delightful letters.
and / ak each and every one OF them 10
respond to the extent Of their means. and
zee me in person, If possible. 1 return
ny sincere thanks for their letters and
sympa.hy. You, ladies, bell We ia God
and in my Inspiration, and tha. 7 have
really saved the Nation great trouble and
great exp-usc, to-wit. Another wsr.
Last ppyiDg General Garfield had the Re.
publican Party In a frightful condition.
and IL was getting worse every hour. To-
day everybody with sense ls Satisfied with
General Arthur Administration, and the
country is prosperous cad happy. DIV
good has come from General Gsrg,I.s ~.
moyal, which is c~ouc.u-iye evidence that
the inspiration came from Deity. lie 6a.
repeatedly confirmed my act since july
"a, therefore, let sIl persons Quietly &C.
quiece 10 The expressed viii Of D.i'v. !
am Gods man 10 tht5 matter, i1-t as truly
~ ''the dospised Galileau" wac COOS man
They said be was blaspbemcr, q e,1,,ss.
etc, and II seemed a a14Il thing l5r b5.
acquaibiancas tr kll him, brt his drath
stirred The wrath Of The Almighty But
he got even aIth them forty years later a.
HHn M..Hw.mHH-. "a .