Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-05
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star

On the morning of Saturday, July 2,
1881, President Garfield was shot in the
back by Charles Jules
Garfield Shot Guiteau at the Balti-
more g. Potomac Rail-
by Guiteau. road Station. at the
corner of Sixth and B
streets, as he, with Secretary Blaine. was
about to board the train fer the North.
Within a few minutes afterward The
Star issued an extra edition and other
extras followed at short intervals
throughout the day, and, indeed, for
several days afterward. The crime
naturally created tremendous exciteS
ment in Washington as elsewhere Ia
the country. Crowds gathered about
The Stars extra and regular editions
gave the news in sequence OF publ
cations not equaled even during the
Civil War or at the time of the assassi-
nation Of President Lincoln. In The
Star of July 2, the day Of the assaSsina-
ton. Is the following editorial express
sion:
AN event little less startling than
the assassination Of President Lincoln.
and hardly less momentous In its posi-
BILE results, occurred In the waiting room
of the Baltimore & Potomac Railway
Station this morning in this city.
President Garfield had arrived there at
Is minutes past 9 O'Clock to take the
limited express train. which was to
leave five minutes later, for the pur-
pose Of joining his family at Long
Branch, when he was shot twice by
persons standing in the crowd which
usually assemblies on the arrival and
departure Of trains.
This dreadful affair must be pro-
ductive of grave and varied thoughts
and suggestions. Its most startling
feature Is the fact that assassination
has come to be recognized mode Of
reaching those for the time being called
to the head Of our Government. lay
ing aside its effects upon the incum-
bent of that high place and those
Immediately connected with him, and
without attaching much importance to
the character or purpose OF the muir
derer, the fact that two Presidents have
fallen by the bullet of the assassin
raises the question whether the simple
heretofore adopted BY our Presidents as
consistent with the genius of our insti-
buttons and becoming to the head Of .
republican form of government are, after
all, wise and sufficiently safe. II the
Chief Executive of the Nation Is to be
the target of the bullets Of lunatics.
disappointed aspirants to ONCE or
sary to surround the ofdce and its
incumbent by more formal and efficient
means of protection than have yet been
devised or thought necessary.
In the case Of President Garfield. as
in that of President Lincoln, political
disappointment appears to have been
the inspiring motive Of the assassin.
The circumstance makes the affair the
more deplorable and impressive, and 1t
l. Al~;~ ~ he -YrlaS kInk rvvf1Y
deserve and doubtless receive the most
serious consideration. That the act in
this instance was that Of single indi-
vidual probably a lunatic. doubtless
without accomplices, does not take away
from the situation any Of its danger
Gus probabilities. Indeed, that fact may
be said rather to add to them.
the President cannot be accurately fore
told. There are, however, ample
grounds for apprehending the most
serious result. But this can be said:
Whatever his fate may be, that dis.
tinguished gentleman and his family
will have the profound respect, the deep
sympathy and the fervent prayers not
Of the American people alone, but those
of every civilized nation on the face Of
the earth"
In one Of the earlier extra editions Of
Inc otaE was pIhUco Ine 1ouoWlng
appeal to the citizens of Washington
issued by the District Commissioners:
In view Of the serious condition Of
the President Of the United States in
consequence of the assault upon his life
and the state of public feeling. the
Commissioners earnestly request all
citizens and residents to aid in the
efforts Of the authorities to maintain
quietness and order and especially to
repress all noisy demonstrations ON tno
Fourth iustanhe