Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1881-07-09 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

PRESIDENT CARFIELD AND HIS  ASSAIL ANT.  The dastardly attempt on the life of the ; President of the United States excited greater surprise, horror, and indignation throughout the civilised world than the terrible assassination a few months ago of the Czar of all the Russia,. The reason for this is not far to seek. The deceased Emperor was the incarnation of that ancient autoora tic form of government which its sworn enemies—the N ihilists —firmly believed could only be destroyed, and displaced by a constitutional system more in keeping with the spirit of the age, by striking boldly and ruthlessly at the living crowned head. It was universally known that the Nihilist conspirators were plotting to compass the violent death of the late Emperor; unsuccessful attemps had already been made on more than one occasion; and, therefore when the tragic end came—when thedeadly bomb did its fell work—the world, though it shuddered at the deed, looked upon it as some-thing inevitable, like the shattering burst of the thunder-bolt from the black impending clouds. But there was nothing of this kind having the remotest association with President Garfield, who was quite recently installed in office, and whose election appeared to have given satisfaction to hove who were at first in favour of more conspicuous aandidates. On every side the political horison seemed clear and promis• ing, and growing brighter as it gradually got rid of the noxious vapours exhaled by ex—Senator Conkling and his array of selfseeking ab=itters. Such being the actual condition of affairs, the political passions stirred up by the late election cooled down and everything going on with apparent smoothness, men might well be excused, whether living in the United States or in other countries —in the New World or in . the Old—if they at first regarded the start— ling intelligence of ihe attempted assassin. ation of President Garfield with an  incredulity which for a time stifled their sense of indignation. It was hard to believe the any person but a maniac could have fired at the President with the diabolical intention of killing him unawares on the spot. What had the head of the Government done since he took up his official residence at the White House to stir up against himself murderous animosity? When he recovered a little from the first shock of the shots that brought him to the ground, the wounded President is said to have asked Mr. Secretary Blaine, who kept close by him, if he could imagine any motive for the deed on the part ef the would-be murderer. The motive was soon made clear enough when it became known that Guiteau was merely a disappointrid office-seeker, and this oircuinsutuce, revealing the despicable originof the crime intesuilied the indignation which was everywhere aroused. It is true that in a letter, addressed "To the White , House," which was taken from his pocket by the police, the would-be murderer attempted to give apolitical complexion to the outrage of which he had been guilty. The President and Mr. Secretary Blaine are said to have declared emphatically their disbelief in any plot having for its object the prolongation of political jobbery by perpetrating an atrocity which would have the effect, according to the constitution of the United States, of making the VicePresident, General Chester A. Arthur, the objet of the Executive. General Grant repudiates all acquintance with Guiteau except that when President he had to deny the man admittance into his presence on account of his persistency as a place-hunter It appears that the French Canadian was extremely anxious to obtain a Consular appointment, without considering whether he was at all fitted for the post or not, and it was for no other reason than that he was unsuccessful in his application that he resolved on shedding the President's blood. "The South is avenged !" was the melodramatic shout of Booth on the stage of the Washington theatre after he had assassinated President Lincoln. "Guiteau is avenged!" might similarly have suited the imitator of Booth when he saw President Gatfield full to the earth from the effects of his two shots. Though seriously injured, it is to be profoundly hoped that the President may recover and, among other good works, carry out his expressed intention of making a radical change in the vicious system which makes "lobbying" or piece. hunting a profession in the United States among a numerous class largely composed of such despicable self - seeking attorneys as Charles Guiteau