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[[Charles J. Guiteau]], a mentally ill office seeker and former Democrat, supported Ulysses S. Grant in the 1880 Republican primaries. Believing that simply backing a Republican would be enough to obtain him a government job due to the spoils system nature.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> Guiteau prepared a fiery speech to draw out enthusiasm for Grant, only to replace all mentions of him with "Garfield" when the Ohio Republican was instead nominated.

[[Charles J. Guiteau]], a mentally ill office seeker and former Democrat, supported Ulysses S. Grant in the 1880 Republican primaries. Believing that simply backing a Republican would be enough to obtain him a government job due to the spoils system nature.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> Guiteau prepared a fiery speech to draw out enthusiasm for Grant, only to replace all mentions of him with "Garfield" when the Ohio Republican was instead nominated.

Instead of speaking in front a loud audience that heavily applauded his speech, Guiteau only spoke towards a small puzzled crowd, and continuously begged party leaders in order to be given the opportunity.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> Absurdly believing that Garfield's ultimate narrow victory was attributed to his speech, Guiteau believed that he was deserving of a high-ranking position. He sought a consulship to [[Paris]] and drew harsh irritation from Blaine, who snapped:<ref name=npsbasicinfo/><ref name=guiteauinsanity>Bellamy, Jay. [https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/guiteau A Stalwart of Stalwarts: Garfield’s Assassin Sees Deed as a Special Duty]. ''National Archives''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref>

Instead of speaking in front a loud audience that heavily applauded his speech, Guiteau only spoke towards a small puzzled crowd, and continuously begged party leaders in order to be given the opportunity.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> Absurdly believing that Garfield's ultimate narrow victory was attributed to his speech, Guiteau believed that he was deserving of a high-ranking position. He sought a consulship to [[Paris]] and drew harsh irritation from Blaine, who snapped:<ref name=npsbasicinfo/><ref name=guiteauinsanity>Bellamy, Jay. [https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2016/fall/guiteau A Stalwart of Stalwarts: Garfield’s Assassin Sees Deed as a Special Duty]. ''National Archives''. Retrieved November 28, 2021.</ref>

{{cquote|Do not ask me about the Paris consulship ever again!|||James Gillespie Blaine, May 14, 1881}}

{{cquote|Do not ask me about the Paris consulship ever again!|||James Gillespie Blaine, May 14, 1881}}

Upon realizing that his effort to obtain a position within the Garfield Administration were futile, Guiteau sought to "save" the spoils system by killing Garfield to elevate Stalwart Vice President Chester Arthur to commander-in-chief.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> also believing it was "God's will."<ref name=guiteauinsanity/> After stalking the president for some time, Guiteau assassinated Garfield on July 2, 1881 with a pistol. When caught at the scene and dragged away, he exclaimed:<ref name=guiteauinsanity/>

Upon realizing that his effort to obtain a position within the Garfield Administration were futile, Guiteau sought to "save" the spoils system by killing Garfield to elevate Stalwart Vice President Chester Arthur to commander-in-chief.<ref name=npsbasicinfo/> also believing it was "God's will."<ref name=guiteauinsanity/> After stalking the president for some time, Guiteau assassinated Garfield on July 2, 1881 with a pistol. When caught at the scene and dragged away, he exclaimed:<ref name=guiteauinsanity/>

{{cquote|I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts. Arthur is now President!|||Guiteau, July 2, 1881}}

{{cquote|I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts. Arthur is now President!|||Guiteau, July 2, 1881}}