In the annals of American history, few events are as shocking and bizarre as the assassination of President James A. Garfield in 1881. The man behind this heinous act, Charles Guiteau, has long been a subject of fascination and debate. But what if there was more to this assassination than meets the eye? What if Guiteau had an ulterior motive beyond his claimed “divine inspiration”? Let’s dive into the strange world of Charles Guiteau and explore the possibility that he killed President Garfield to promote his book.
The Man Behind the Assassination
Charles Guiteau was no ordinary assassin. He was a failed lawyer, a religious zealot, and a wannabe author. In the months leading up to the assassination, Guiteau had been trying to peddle his book, “The Truth,” which he believed was an important explanation of the Bible . But like many of his other endeavors, his literary aspirations weren’t exactly taking off.
The Fateful Decision
According to Guiteau’s own testimony, he “conceived the idea of removing the President four weeks ago” before the assassination . But what’s interesting is that during this time, he was also busy revising his book. As he stated in court:
“I had a good deal to do in the two weeks after the 1st of June until about the middle of June getting ready. For instance, I went to work and revised my book, The Truth. I knew there would be some demand for that.”
This statement raises an eyebrow. Why would Guiteau be concerned about demand for his book while planning an assassination?
The Smoking Gun
The most damning evidence of Guiteau’s book promotion plan comes from his own words. In a paper he wrote on June 20th, just days before the assassination, Guiteau stated:
“It will save the Republic and create a demand for my book”
When questioned about this in court, Guiteau admitted that one of his purposes in “removing” the President was indeed to create demand for his book .
The Divine Excuse
Throughout his trial, Guiteau insisted that he was acting under divine inspiration. He claimed that “the Deity inspired the act” and that he was merely “the agent of the Deity” . However, this divine inspiration conveniently aligned with his personal desires and ambitions.
When pressed about his book promotion plan, Guiteau tried to frame it in religious terms:
“One of the ideas, sir, was to preach the gospel as set forth in my book.”
He even went so far as to claim that his book was, “in a certain sense,” the gospel .
The Ivory-Handled Pistol
Interestingly, Guiteau’s concern for appearances extended even to his choice of weapon. When buying the pistol he would use to shoot Garfield, Guiteau chose the more expensive ivory-handled version. When asked why, he admitted:
“I think I said something of the kind, about putting the pistol in the library of the State Department, in one of my notes.”
This suggests that Guiteau was thinking about the historical significance of his act and how it would be remembered – perhaps in conjunction with his book.
A Man of Destiny?
Guiteau saw himself as a “man of destiny,” comparing himself to religious figures like Jesus, Paul, and Martin Luther . This grandiose self-image likely fueled his belief that his book was important enough to kill for.
He stated in court: “I claim that I am a man of destiny as much as the Savior, or Paul, or Martin Luther, or any of those religious men of the kind I was.”
The Political Excuse
While Guiteau clung to his divine inspiration defense, he also offered political reasons for the assassination. He claimed that Garfield had “proved a traitor to the men that made him, and thereby imperiled the life of the Republic” .
However, this political motive seems flimsy when examined closely. Guiteau admitted that if Garfield had appointed him to a diplomatic post, he wouldn’t have gone through with the assassination . This suggests that his motives were more personal than political.
The Aftermath
In the end, Guiteau’s plan to boost his book sales through assassination didn’t work out as he might have hoped. Instead of becoming a bestselling author, he found himself on trial for murder. His erratic behavior and outbursts in court did little to help his case.
A Twisted Logic
Guiteau’s thinking was clearly disturbed. He seemed to believe that killing Garfield was not only divinely inspired but would also solve the country’s political problems AND make him a famous author. He even thought Garfield would be “happier in paradise than here” .
This twisted logic led him to commit an act that shocked the nation and ended the life of a president. And for what? A chance at literary fame that never materialized.
The Legacy of a Madman
Charles Guiteau went down in history, but not as the great author and religious leader he imagined himself to be. Instead, he’s remembered as a delusional assassin who took the life of a president for reasons that still baffle us today.
His story serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked delusion and the extreme lengths some will go to for notoriety. It also raises important questions about the intersection of mental illness, religious fervor, and criminal behavior.
Lessons from a Dark Chapter
While it’s tempting to dismiss Guiteau as simply a madman, his case offers valuable insights into the complex motivations behind political violence. It reminds us to be vigilant against those who might use religion or politics as a cover for their own selfish or delusional goals.
Moreover, Guiteau’s fixation on his book and his place in history highlights the powerful allure of fame and recognition – a force that, when twisted, can lead to tragic consequences.
The Final Word: A Cautionary Tale
In the end, Charles Guiteau’s attempt to boost his book sales through assassination stands as one of the most misguided and horrific marketing plans in history. It’s a stark reminder that the pursuit of fame and recognition, when taken to extremes, can lead to unthinkable acts.
As we reflect on this dark chapter in American history, let’s remember the real victim – President James A. Garfield – and the senseless nature of his death. And perhaps, in doing so, we can work towards a society where such twisted logic and deadly ambition have no place.
