Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-01-12
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lFrom our Rsgui0r cOrrespOHdeHt.l
WASHINGTON. D. c.. Jan. 8, 1881,

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 8, 1881,
The long drawn out trial is now COM
ing close upon its end, and it becomes
more and more fixed in the minds Of
close observers that the wretch, Guiteau.
has been weaving his own rope. The
people of Washington and of the coun-
try have been justly incensed at the dis
graceful scenes aud outrageous conduct
of the prisoner in court during the pro-
gress of the trial, but the one mitigating
fact in connection with it is that all this
has simply had the effect to make JUS
tice surer. 1t has obliterated every yes
tige of sympathy, which, at the begin
ming, some felt for the miserable crea-
ture; has given the experts and court an
opportunity to study his mind and char
acter, and gone far to enforce conviction
upon the minds of the jury. No one
who has observed the jury within the
last two weeks expresses the least doubt
that their minds are made up beyond
the slightest probability of change. 1t is
likely that within one week from this
time the verdict of guilty will have been
returned, sentence of death pronounced,
and Guiteau will be lying in cell, his
bravado all gone, in condition of utter,
cowardly, unpitied prostration. After
he has given up hope there will be no
more doubt outside the courtroom of
his sabsoIuteaccountability than there is
with those who have witnessed his daily
manifestations of ungovernable malice,
brutal egotism, depravity and black
guardism. He is shrewd and cunning
when confronted with the possible con-
sequences of his act, and has expected.
by his conduct, to save himself from all
punishment beyond a few years in an
asylum, meanwhile having secured the
notoriety which he SO much covets.
To one who watches him in the court
room this thirst for notoriety seems
sufficient in itself to account for the
murder of the president. His egotism,
and the immunity he has managed to Sc.
cure during long series of petty offences
probably induced the belief that he
would escape serious punishment for this
last crime. He had, unhappily, many in
stances in the records of criminal trials
to base theory upon that temporary in
sanity would furnish him an available
excuse. =. There is not redeeming trait
in this wretched creature, least of all the
excuse of unaccountability. He seems
to recognize no motives except such as
animate himself. He imputes to wit
nesses only the most vulgar impulses.
His rejoinders to counsel for the govern
ment are the snarls of a kicked cur. His
vituperative treatment of hissister and
the lawyer who so patiently has con-
Quoted his case far better than even a
more skiilful but paid counsel would
have done; his base threats against the
woman who had once been his wife; his
references to his father who bore with
him so long, to his dead mother, to the
brother who CAP gain no benefit from his
attendance on this trial, are develop
ments of the most astounding evil char
'0cter that has perhaps ever manifested
itself to the world. In making up its
| Judgment of Guiteau the country can
mot compare him with its experience of
other criminals. He is unparalleled. !
| have been told by experts and others who
have had intimate acquaintance with
| convicts, that so bad a man. with wick
edness SO mirrored in his face, they have
uever seen. He has excessive brutality
| without courage. vulgar assertion with
out self confidence when fairly confront.
ed, abnormal malice without the capac.
ity OF strong hatred. Instances of his
cowardice are known TO his jailors which
have not and cannot be told in print. He
\ is bestial wretch and capable of any
crime, but as responsible for his acts al
4 any such human. brute can be. wan
simply to add that, in the light of recent
developments, the injustice Of the criti
cism upon Judge Cox is fully apparent
He has had hard case to deal with and
has shown patience and wisdom through
it all.
Congress has assembled again, bu
0othing of consequence will be done fol
! some days. The holiday recess has beer
an exceptionally dull one in this locality
New Years day, however, was stirring
time, and the reception at the White
blouse was very largely attended. TIL,
Impression has gone out that the usua
reception every two weeks during tn,
winter are not to be given this season
and SO every body in town endeavored tc
avail themselves of this opportunity t,
see President Arthur in the White Hous
as well as to take look at the mansion
in its improved condition. There was, il
consequence, great jam. The reception
for the general public was preceded. a
usual, by the official reception of arm,
and civil officers and foreign ministers
lit was for many reasons notable recep
tion, marked by new faces and nev
names, with a new Chief Magistrate an,
the almost total ignoring of old customs
The President enjoyed the day, an
when informed that his receptions wer
larger than any of Mr.. Hayes and eS
oeeded in number all of Grants but one
he expressed satisfastion for the compli
nent. Yet it was not altogether to b
interpreted in that way. By the way
speaking of Grant, now that he has sud
denly come over to help undo the grea
injustice that has been done Gen. Fit
Joha Porter, there rs a great deal Of GU
riosity to know what his friend Loga
will do. Logan smashed things nigh
and left last winter in opposition to tn
Porter bill in the senate and if he nov
takes the same position it will be the frs
time he ever disagreed with his chief.
| PHoN0.