The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-01-20

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Historically. Judge Cox instructed Mr.. SEQ
Vile to read over the prisoners manuscript
and report to the court II 1t contained any
thing he desired to have 60 before the jury.
FORTY THIRD DAT.
Mr.. Davidge resumed his argument for the
prosecution, and spent the day in a matter-of-
fact and, at times, rather tedious review OF the
evidence. Passing lightly over the moro unm-
portant parts he laid marked emphasis upon
the damaging testimony OF John w. duiteau
who, he SAID, was most unwilling witness
against his brother, but who was obliged, as q
man OF truth and honor, to affirm the prison.
er's sanity and his hateful, domineering.
egotistic temper. John Guiteau's testimony, at
the time il was rendered, was universally COM
mented upon as very bad for the defense, and
the skillful use made OF II by MIR. Davidgo
shows what Importance the prosecution at
tached TO It, This witness was from the very
first opposed to the plea Of hereditary insanity
as it touched himself and his children as nearly
AZ II did the prisoner. Hence he rendered the
prosecution very material help in attacking this
line of defense. 1t is understood that he feels
very indignant at Mr.. Scoville for making this
theory 30 prominent, and that after the trial Is
concluded he will set himself right before the
pubic on the matter.
Mr.. Davidge, while he in no wise encouraged
Guiteau's Interruptions, noticed them where it
served his purpose, and Oh several occasions
made them the text Tor apropos and ling
comment His description Of the prisoners
own testimony was given III graphic sentences.
He had been put on the stand. said Mr.. Dav-
idge, as a last hope, but, so far from sustain
ing the defense, he had removed any doubt
which remained as to his sanity. He then
commented on 0uiteau's character as testified
TO by several Of the witnesses for the prosecu-
ton, showing that he was thorough scoun-
drel, whose insanity consisted in an absurd
idea of his own consequence, which led him
to disregard all the rights Of others which in
terfered with his own convenience.
"He may be crank" said the speaker,
scornfully, "but he is responsible enough to
be hanged"
He proceeded to discuss the medical testimo-
ny, taking up the hypothetical question of the
defense and claiming that its bases were not
sustained by the evidence. He also pointed out
that the inquiry begged the question at issue
and was artfully incomplete aud unfair. Then
he turned to the inspiration theory. of he
was inspired" said Mr.. Davidge, cit was from
the devil-not from God. Substitute devil for
God, and the meaning OF much OF this pressure
Is clear. Guiteau struggled against il as every
man tempted of the devil struggles, but he did
not resist: He succumbed, aud sin brought
forth DEATH"
As the orator drew his speech to a close the
prisoner made several OF his spiteful demon
strations, and singled out Corkhill for another
TRADE OF abuse. quoting. AZ he has often quoted
before, the action of the mills of the gods He
said that they would, in their grinding, make
slow but sure work OF Corkhill.
ToRrY-FoURTH DAY.
At the opening of cour. Guiteau stated that
he had thirty checks, representing about Sl5,-
000 some Of which were worthless, and that he
wanted no more OF the latter kind. When Mr..
Scoville asked if the prisoner would be allowed
to speak to the jury the assassin exclaimed
that he wouldn't trust his case la the hands of
the best lawyer in America. Judge Cox
said it was safe TO assume that Gull
teau would abuse the privilege OF
arguing in his own defense, for which reason
it would not be granted. Mr.. Reed then COM
menced an argument which consumed the day,
and was subjected to frequent Interruptions
by the assassin. There were portions Of the
speech which seemed to considerably impress
the jury-notably the very pathetic passages
in which Mr. Reed denounced the crime for Its
atrocity. and pictured the widow nightly pray
ing that the murderer of her husband might
be- pronounced insane. Those who closely
watched the jury observed that there were
tears III the eyes of some. Reeds method was
earnest and deliberate. HIS expression was
always serious. He fought to prove that,
from the time Of his birth, Guiteau was q
victim OF mental disease. Commencing with
the period OF his mothers maternity, he showed
that all through the weary months she was
an invalid, and argued that Guiteau was
the sufferer from this. The boy could
not talk till he was years old, and WAS whip
ped by his father because he could not
whipped from boyhood, Reed argued, be-
cause the hand Of God was on him. He led
blameless life from that hour; it was MAIN
tanned, to the age of 10, when he struck his
father That. the counsel claimed, was an act
of madness. Then Luther Guiteau, worthy
man as he may have have been III all other
respects was insane upon religion, and no
forced young Guiteau to enter the Oneida
Community. which was the vestibule
of hell. From that hour, Reed endeavored to
show by Guiteau's letters, which the prosecu-
ton had introduced, and by the testimony of
the Government witnesses, the prisoner was
insane. The circumstances surrounding tho
shooting he dwelt upon with great emphasis, as
indicating this. Reed drew a parallel favora-
bio to Guiteau from tho various promi-
nent political assassinations OF history
ending with William Lawrence's attack upon
Andrew Jackson. He even quoted the case of
Charlotte Corday az one OF insanity.
Reed quoted Guiteau against himself to
prove his insanity and mildly characterized
his outrageous outburst as to some extent
boisterous manner" When Reed went 10 far
as to predict that Guiteau would become n
drivellDg idiot, the latter from the dock Kissed
out an indignant "Pish y
In conclusion, Reed SAID: "Gentlemen OF
the jury, you all said, when you were sworn,
that You would be governed by the evidence and
stand up TO it, without regard to the effect it
might have upon you and your business.
adjure you to keep that oath. Falter not In
the performance of the duty which shall
save you ana this fair land from eternal dis
grace. 1 assert that the conviction of this
man to the gallows, and his execution. would
be an infamy beyond descrption-an indelible
stain on American jurisprudence and Amer
lean 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. Ii such day shall
ever come (and / do not believe it ever can
come under this evidence) thJk OF this man
brought out from his cell with the same pale
face and same weary, wandering eyes The
officers OF the law gathering round him. pin
Joining him, binding him with cords 80 that his
muscles stand out, covering him with the
black hood, shutting out tho light of day
from him, aud leading him to the scaffold.
Think OF him-a lunatic--condemned to
the galows-a lunatic whom the Savior,
II Ho were OH earth, would heal
The picture Ia 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 blush of shame to your
checks"