The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-05
Trial of Guiteau.

|
And live with God In Heaven.
Trial Of Guiteau
Our readers will bear us witness that we
have not afflicted them W it'll the details of the
trial of the Presidents assass in. But as that
trial is drawing to close, to give our readers
some idea OF its conduct, we publish below
the afternoon proceedings of Wednesday last
1t was about the most exciting session during
| the trial of the cas-. The morning hour was
taken up in the examination of experts, and
the proceedings below are of the evening:
AFTER THE RECESS
MIR. Scoyille said that in order to be accurate
the defense had had plaster cast of the pris-
oner's head taken by Clark Mills, the sculptor,
and he would like to call that gentleman to
identify it. The prosecution, however, OBJ
jected to that course. While the discussion
was in progress the prisoner, with gratfied
smile, examined the cast.
The cross-examination was then resumed bv
Mr. Scoyille
| Suppose the person described in the prose
cution's hypothetical question believed that he
was in partnership with Jesus Christ & Co. in
the establishment Of the Theocrat that Jesus
Christ was with him as copartner in the bust
ness, and that 1t would be made success
to start the paper by direct command from
the Almighty, would that make any difference
in your answer?
Mr.. Porter (solemnly)-I object to that ques-
ton as irreverent and blasphemous.
Mr.. Scovile--l don't understand that the
in under the province Of divinity. The only
objection Mr.. Porter makes lie that the quee-
tion is rreverent and blasphemous. If the
prisoners belief that he WAS inspired is irrev-
erent and blasphemous and the Court rejects
it on that ground, there is an end of this case,
because We are not allowed any defense.
! Mr.. Porter-It is a question which purports
| to i'e'justifiel by the proof in this case, and
| which your Honor is asked to countenance in
the presence of the jury.
The question was repeated for the benefit of
the Judge.
| Mr.. Porter--rhere is no evidence, even by
| the oath of the criminal
| The PrsonertinterruptIng insolently)-How
do you know, you great plymouth you?
Mr.. Porter (,ontinuing)-That he believed
the Redeemer of mankind to be his partner in
business, and when the learned counsel for the
| prisoner puts such question in Christian
court and a Federal tribunal hold (whsteyer
| your Honor may hold) that it is time 10 re-
Duke both him and his client. II is a hypothe-
| sis that no man who believes that God WAS our
| Creator should be permitted for one moment
to present in d court of justice and before this
audience. If it had been presented to your
Honor in your private chamber you would do
in regard to the counsel what you have not
done in regard to the prisoner. The time has
come when, in behalf of the American Gov
eminent, protest against these blasphemous
utterances The counsel can predicate bis
question on facts which have been proved,
but not on those which assume that we make
no difference between the Redeemer OF man
kind and ourselves. Applause.
| The Prisoner How about Christ and Paul
| Paul was in partnership with the Saviour.
Haven't just as much right as Paul?
| Mr.. Porter-I must insist, your Honor, in
| behalf of the Government and to vndicate it,
that this criminal shall be remanded to the
| dock
| The Prisoner-You had better mind your
own business, Porter.
| Mr.. Porter-It is my business to-day. My
motion is in obeyance, and on the question of
| blasphemy, when this court has been filled
with it from the first day until now
The Prisoner-No blasphemy; it is the truth.
Mr.. Porter (continuingl-lt should be heard
coming from the counsel table. There is not
that man at the American bar who would not
have been dsgraced and silenced by coercion
| if he had uttered what this man, under false
pretense of being counsel in this case, has ut
tered from time to time to your Honor.
should say here that it was only the Interrupt
tions Of the prisoner which induced us to dis
turb the order in which Mr. Davidge desired
to present this question. But on question
which touches the hearts and conscience of
the people of this Nation l now invoke your
Honor's action, not only in regard to the de-
cision of this question, but in reference to the
disposition to be made of this prisoner
THE ASSASSIN AGAIN EXCITED.
The Prisoner texciteGly)-The American
people are with me more and more, and that
| is the reason you are mad about it, appear
as my own counsel and his Honor has no
discretion in this matter.
Mr.. Scoyille ito MIR. Porterl--Ths case is
not on trial before the American people.
Mr. Porter-Then why do you and your
client, with your ADVICE address them!
Mr. Reed-That is not true, Mr. Porter, and
you know it is not true.
Mr. Porter-I only answer that it is true,
The Court called the counsel to order and
asked whether it is desired that the proceed
ings should be suspended for action on Mr..
Porter's motion.
The PrisOner-lt is not worth your Honor s
notice. That is the answer to this kind OF
talk from Porter.
The District Attorney-We arc ready to
enter on that question, your Honor.
I VIEWS OF THE PROSECUTION.
Mr.. Davidge then rose and said he would
briefly present the views of the prosecution
4 Yesterday, he said, was The commencement
of the seventh week Of this trial-the trial Of
the prisoner for the assassination Of the ruler
Of fifty millions Of people. From the incept
{ ion of the trial to the present time with the
exception Of yesterday not single day had
passed without being characterized BY asper
lsions on the part Of the prisoner in contempt