The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-01
THE HOMICIDAL CRANK.

| mites from when our SOutnern COMMUNITIES
as yet are happily exempt, namely, the pres
ence OF cranks with disposition to murder
celebrated persons. 1t is true that we have
/ amongst US cranks Of a different kind. Wehave
our bores. and may their shadows ever grow
! less, We have our devotees Of fads who are
anxious 10 make converts, but we have no in
| divduals like Guiteau. the political crank,
with an inclination towards assassination. or
a social crank like Rath, who sought 10 kill
| Dr. Hall because he alleged that the famous
| Presbyterian pastor was engaged in q conspi-
racy against him.
The homcida crank is the peculiar product
OF the Northern States and Is a characteristic
outgrowth Of its civilization. it is impossible
10 assert with correctness that he is positively
insane and yet it is perfectly apparent that
his reason is not in a normal condition. This
WAS the case with Guiteau. who was prepared
TO imbrue his hands in the blood Of presi-
dent TO crafty his morbid vanity. which
thirsted for notoriety. even IL It we're only at
ta.nable at the expense Of his lie. No one
will say that lie was not Justly hanged. aud yet
it must be admitted that his mind at the time
that he committed the act which consigned
him 10 the ealiows was more or less unh.DEed.
1t is averred that the would-be murderer of
DR.. Hall shows some indications Of an unset
tied intellect. but the probability is that he
will be Hund TO be a species of the genus 10
which Guiteau beloneed-that is, homicidal
crank whose principal object was to gain a
brief notorety by taking the life Of one Of
the most distinguished ciergymen in the city
Of New York
The practical confinement Of the homicidal
crank to the North is the result Of the mar
rowness Of the bounds which divide fame
from notorety. which Is so observable in its
populous communities In the city of New
York as we'll as in the city Of Washington
there is very considerable class who are
simply notorious, men who are constantly in
the public mouth and public eye. without
having any claim to respect or any right TO
publicity beyond impudence in personal bea..
Ing or the reputation OF success in questiona-
bic political. social and financial adventures
These men are received with marked atten-
ton Of kind. and their names are exploited
in the columns Of the daily press. They of
course find many imitators
There is very large number Of persons in
the lowest ranks who would like 10 follow in
their tracks, but owing TO the circum-
stances Of their lives are deprived of the
opportunity Of doing so even at a
great distance. To this class belong the
Guiteaus and the Raths. Here and there a
man is discovered in this class who is so NOR
bidly DESTROYS of lifting himself above his as
sociates that. finding 10 other means Of &C
comprising his purpose IN his reach, he
sei2es upon deadly weapon and
one shot the life Of person who
IS so eminent that an attack upon him,
whether successful or not creates a profound
sensation and is announced from one end of
the country to the other. This was the real
motive Of Guiteau although he. asserted that
his only object was TO heal the breach in his
party, and it was the motive of Rath in his as
sault upon Dr. Hall.
IN foreign countries the homicidai crank
confines his efforts towards the destruction of
life TO kings, queens and prime ministers. but
abroad he IS generally actuated by political
motives In England few men Of any pTomi-
hence have fallen victims to the homicidal
crank. The knives of FELTON, and Bellingham
ended the existence of Buckingham and Per
ciyal. but these assassins were influenced in a
measure by private revenge On several oc-
casions the homicidal crank has made at
tempts upon thelife of Victoria. but for many
years these attempts have not been repeated
1t IS IN America and IN America only that
the private citizen of national prominence be-
comes the target of the homicidal crank in
his determination to render himself con
spcuous object in the public eye. Let Us
hope that he Will never appear in our South
ern communities. however populous they may
grow and however many illustrious men they
may possess. The North is welcome 10 the
homicidal crank as we'll as to the crank who
is so often found in the same section who
murders his sweetheart because she sees fit to
reject his suit.