Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-26
PUBLIC LEDGER.
Tnu,.aay evening. Jan. as. hasa.
ATLART.

Il uHUA nCdNClN NAO A4AA10AebAN AsNA -
called a trial in the Guiteau case cam'
to close rather suddenly YESTERDAY
evening. The jury had been out only
halfan hour when it was announced
that verdict had been agreed upon
The court, which had taken a recess
was hastily convened, the jury filed IN
and voiced the deliberate opinion Of
the American people by finding the
prisoner guilty as charged. The YER
dict was received with tumultuouE
applause, and was read this morning
with intense satisfaction by millions
of people. Whilst the jury did nc
more than its duty, the people at large
will not fail to express gratitude and
pleasure at the verdict. The jurymen
are entitled to credit for their forth
tude and patience in listening to the
regular proceedings which were SO
often interrupted by the shameless
blatherskite on trial. This is, per-
haps, the first time in the
history Of assassinations when the
criminal was allowed by the govern
ment and the court to turn prosecut-
ing attorney and day after day badger
and insult the counsel representing
the State. The license allowed this
egotistical villain is without precedent
and we are tempted to add without
arrant under any view or standard
known to the jurisprudence Of the
country. The public mind is not more
convinced of Guiteau's guilt and moral
deprayity now than on the day he was
brought out for trial. At FIRST it was
thought the trial would be very brief
Ne one could be found to defend him;
even his btother-in-lsw when request
ed, shraak from the task and ap-
preached it apologetically. 1t must
be admitted, however, that Scoville
made the most of his case and gave the
lawyers for the prosecution good deal
of trouble. The court started out in
q spirit of gushing sentimentality to
give the prisoner a fair trial and to
show the world, we infer, that
in this country, and especially at
the national capital, a man can have the
fullest chance to defend himself before
jury, even when public opinion is
against him. 1t would be a contrast
to the speedy trials and executions
given those who attempt the life of
royalty in Europe. This seemed to be
the idea that governed Judge Cox
The prisoner was not oaly protected
from personal assault, but allowed to
become his own attorney and the lion
of the day. Having given him such |
liberty, and it was difficult and deli |
cate matter to stop the arrogant and
voluble criminal. He continued, from |
week to week, to make an offensive |
exhibition of himself, greatly to the
disgust of all decent people, and es
pecially to the surprise ofal European
nations. In' their eyes, the dignity
and character of our institutions have
suffered. In illustrating the theory
that one man is as good as another
and that it is no more a crime to kill
the head of the government than
the humblest citizen. Judge Cox
overdid the business. His intentions
were doubtless the best, but in per-
mitting brawling assassin to say and
do things that no shyster could do
with impunity in a police court, he
let down the dignity so becoming in
court, and weakened the popular
respect for the judiciary, in which SO
greatly lies the safety and righ's Of
thepeople. We believe that it would
have been more creditable to the
American people if a we'll organized
mob, while popular feeling vas at its
height, had taken the covardly assas-
sin from Jail by force and hung him to
limb, than for this trial to pass into
history. The mob would have exc.
cuted the mandate Of both vengeance
and justice. and carried into effect the
verdict Of fifty millions of American
people. But the trial is over, after
dragging along for more than tive
months, and the whole country breaths
freer. He is not hung yet, but there
is prospect, a remote chance that
he will be some time. Under the
forms Of law this may be delayed pos
sibly until after the anniversary of the
praqidentis death