Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-15

Mr.. Davidge counsel for the prosecution,
had occupied two days in addressing the
jury, and that effort and consumption of
time on his part showed the grave appre-
sion felt by the prosecution lest something
might have appeared in the case which
might make the jury say this poor man was
a lunatic and irresponsible.
Before Reed had been speaking half an
hour the prisoner began to comment and con-
tradict, contrasting the mercy of the Savior
toward those afflicted with devils (insane)
with the demands Of the prosecution in his
case.
Reed said: "They say hang him."
Guiteau shouted: "And the American peo-
pie say let him go. The American people
are on my side. Ped, now go on with your
sfseee4..1
Soon after the speaker had occasion to al
lude to the evidence of Guiteau, when the
prisoner again interrupted and called despair
ingly: "Well, he amt my reference; I've
got better men than he is for my reference"
Reed commented upon the incident re-
lated by several witnesses when Guiteau
struck his father at the supper table, and
Gulteau called out, vehemently; That
wasn't true; | never struck him; never in
tended to strike him. l don't fight any one;
Pm peaceable man. II / don't like any
one tell them so, and tell them to get out
of my way, and that settles them"
the first indication OF his insanity; he denies
it; probably he don't remember it,"
Guiteau (sneeriugly)- is owing to
my poor, weak mind and disoFdered intellect
Reed continued: "Davidge condescended
10 read yesterday portion of the evidence
in relation to this incident to show, as he
claimed, the depravity of the prisoner, and
Judge Porter kindly suggested to him that
Guiteau struck his father in the back The
record says on the neck or shoulder"
Davidge ingly)-Don't go back on
the witness.
Reed am reading from the record, sir.
1t says
Guiteau with an air of satisfaction at his
superior disceInmenD Why, that was in
tended for pun, Reed, but you don't seem
to see it. l don't know as that should be
wondered at, for it would require a micro
scope for an ordinary mortal to see it,
Re-. d continued: 1T does not require an
expert to pronounce the prisoner insane.
You have seen him day after day shutting
in before you. You have seen that strange,
unnatural look of his eyes, and it requires
the opinion OF no expert to convince you
that this is not the appearance of a sane
man." Continuing in this strain, the speaker
said: "In my opinion, if this poor creature
is sent to an asylum, he will be driveling
idiot within six months" these ex-
perts," said the speaker, "do not
swear to the fact, for none but the Deity can
know what there is in the brain of man.
They swear only to opinion, and you have a
notable instance of how far from the facts
the opinion of the NEST learned doctors may
lead in the sad case Of the late President.
We had bulletins every day giving his con-
dition; We had the announcement that a
probe had been inserted twelve inches into
the wound, and yet the wound really led in
exactly an opposite direction. l say il
ha ocho TO end Al
lows on the opinion of doctors"
Alluding to the structures. made BY coun-
sci yesterday upon the course of certain
members of Guiteau's family in sticking to
the prisoner when they should have cast him
off as wretch, Reed said: at is in evidence
that six years ago Mrs. ScoviIIe believed her
brother a mental wreck, an insane man, and
should she desert him now, that he is on trial
for his life, she would be unworthy the name
of sister,"
Referring TO the difficulty experienced by
the defense in securing witnesses, Reed said:
you can never know, gentlemen, how hard
it has been TO get people to come and tell
what they know. They would rather listen
to the cry, Cruelty him. than to come here
and save this poor man from the gallows and
the government from the disgrace of exc
cutting an insane man."
Guiteau interrupted in loud tones, "The
government don't want me to be convicted;
General Arthur don't want me to be con-
victed, and l amt going to be convicted"
The evidence of Brooks, the chief of the
treasury detectives, who visited the prisoner
in the night, and whose evidence the prose-
cution tried go hard to suppress, as they did
the notes Cf Bailey, the evidence of Detec-
tive McElfresh, and in short all evidence
that might in any way aid the
prisoner, Mr.. Reed claimed, came like
a godsend. Reed then went on at some
length with his argument to demonstrate the
insanity of the prisoner. His father was, he
maintained, insane on religious subjects, and
forced him into that vestibule of hell, the
Oneida Community. Before that he had led
pure life, and his father convinced him he
would go to hell unless he became member
of the Oneida Community, and he vent there
to save his soul.
Guiteau abruptly said: "When got there
got into hell, and did not get out for six
years"
During pause in the argument, the pris-
oner broke in: Il am going to have my
speech published in all the papers of Amer
lea. Then l am going to ask your Honor to
read it, and then [ will discuss the question
as to whether 1 shall deliver it to the jury.
Then l think your Honor will allow me to
deliver it."
In conclusion Reed said: Gentlemen CT
the Jury-You all said when you were sworn
and STAND up to it without regard to the
effect it might have upon you and your bust
ness. / adjure you to keep that oath. Falter
not in the performance of the duty which
shall save you and this fai- land from eter-
nal disgrace. ] assert that the convic-
ton of this man to the gallows
and his execution would be an
infamy beyond description, an indelible stain
on American jurisprudence and American
juries. Think OF the scene if you condemn
him to the gallows. Though not present in
body to see the sight, you cannot but be
there in mind. If such a DAY shall ever
come land do not believe it ever can come
under this evidence), think of this man,
brought out from his cell with the same pale
face and the same weary, wandering eyes, the
officers of the law gathering round him,
piniening him; binding him with cords, SO
that his muscles stand out, covering him
him with a black hood, shutting out the
light of day from him, and leading him to
the scafold.
The Prisoner-I would rather go that way
than be smashed up in the railroad cars as
some poor fellows were last night
Reed, continuing-Think of him, a luna
tic, condemned to the gallows; a lunatic
whom the Savior, if he were on earth, would
heal. The picture is not overdrawn. l am
very much obliged to you for your attention.
/ only ask You, pray do that which shall not
in after years bring the blush of shame to
your cheeks.
The Prisoner-Reed is good fellow, but
/ would not give cent a bushel for his rub
bish. If could only have a talk with that
jury / would give them the right theory.
The eourt then adjourned