The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-02-02
The Verdict in thu auiteau Case.

LILO VGIulCU III bl10 AIQltOe1o 06CO,
The VIRGINIAN of last week bore 20 It's
readers the first announcement of the YER
dict in the Guiteau case. and the tidings
were received in every quarter with appro-
val. On the first page Of to-day's issue. we
publish a graphic account Of the closing
scenes of the great trial. The jury's YER
section of the Union, and from across the
waters feryent amens have come. There
seems to be sense of relief pervading
everywhere. For eleven long weeks the
famous trial absorbed public attention to
the exclusion, almost, OF other national
topics Each day proceedings were watched
with intense interest, and IA the fatal web
was slowly and surely woven about the
miserable wretch, the interest deepened
until it became well nigh feverish. The
deaoument was reached in that fearful
Guilty as indicted" Then it was that the
tension relaxed and an indefinable feeling
of rest was experienced.
To che condemned criminal public SYM
pathy is apt to go out. However helnons
the crime might have been however richly
merited the punishment, there is. in almost
every instance, a reaction in public sentl-
ment which awakens to the touch of the
hangman's rope and envelopes the doomed
man in an atmosphere OF indistinct mar
tyrdom. Righteous indignation advances
4 - -, <f,,lI nj tl,n,,
merges into pity. The voice that cried for
condemnation, turns to cavil with justice.
The hand that beat the air with impatience
at the laws delay is half raised to avert
the impending doom. Human nature is
such queer compound tha5 its contradic-
lions can alone be relied on. And yet
we venture to predict that when Chas. j.
Guiteau swings from that fatal platform,
there will be less ofthis sentimentality than
has ever been evoked by a public execution
| The verdict was righteous one. From
every hamlet in this broad land the demand
for his blood was heard. IL was not the
raving of mad populace, but the delibeT-
ate Judgment of alaw-loving people. The
desire for fair trial was universal. The
| license extended the criminal and the
placing within his reach OF all the agencies
of defense were approved by the more
thoughtful. Even the unexampled indul
gence of the presiding judge, while i,
evoked criticism from the impatient, was
recognized by the reasonable as pre-emi
nently proper. The nation felt that it,
own character, az we'll as the fate OF the
miserable assassin, was on trial. And now
that popular belief has been confirmed by
the verdict of twelve men, sworn to judge
of the Law and the facts, no one will re-
gretthe time or methods employed to ena
BILE the jury to reach their determination
and there will be no reaction in public sen
timent when the last scene of the fearful
tragedy is enacted.
There is a universal acquiescence i'll the
justice of the verdict, and yet when WI
are called upon to face the conclusion, i
is painful to acknowledge that Presiden
Garfield was deliberately shot down by ,
sane man. Had ones own brother o.
father or son been the victim. it wOult
have been sad consolation to believe tina
the bullet was aimed by hand which
obeyed the will of brain diseased. rather
than that it should have been directed BY
malice.