The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-02
Case or Rev. DR.. Hamit ton, OF Mobile.
MOBILE, June o. 1854.

Ease OF Rev. Dr. Hamilton. OF MOb1les
MOBILE. June %. 1854.
The following paragraph appeared In copy of
your paper which reached here few days snce:-
A clergyman Of Mobile, Alabama, DR. W. r. Hamilton
Of tho Government street Presby eran Church 10 that
city, celrb-af ed II parts OF the Union for
his ability and lately discovered have
beer for years past running Of uuhided licen
tiouspess and profgscy causing the ruin Of several
respectable young Of his congreRa too
Rumors affecting his reputation have been ia circulation
for some time but such confidence was fell In his ineg
ri,y by his friends that it only whsa ramor gave
place 10 open charges that committee Of investigation
appointed, before whom such Of evidence
presented left doubt Of his guilt The Mobile
certain time, mob violence would be done him The
reverend prohigate took the hint, and left.
One who is conversant with the true history Of
the lamentable affair thus noticed, in view of the
widespread publicity it has now obtained through
sources naturally liable to Misrepresentation and
consequent distortion of facts, deems it duty to
the congregation alluded to, and with which be is
connected to correct the many errors Of the above
staten ent. In doing so. the circumstances will
justify and compel a faithful narration OF the case
In the first place, the Mobile Register is quoted
as authority in the above. How such q reference
could have originated it is impossible to conceive;
for not only has the Register been uniformly and
entirely silent as to the affair, but not line has ap
peared in any Of our CITY papers in relation to it.
No printed announcement was required for the in.
formation Of orr citizens. The full, saddening
knowledge came rapidly to the ears of every age,
sex and Glass; The sense of humiliation which per.
vaded the community, and the Indignation Of such
betrayed confidence, extended to the press, and
wouli have efectually senced it, had not other mo-
tives such as the position of the sons, and other
connexions Of the ruined man, restrained all publ
cation OF event shocking to every sense Of re-
igion. prOpriety and decency.
Alike totally without foundation Is the statement
of the " unbridled RIGHTEOUSNESS of the reverend
doctor, and OF his causing the ruin of several
mn
ton" Here, upon the spot, we are entirely igno-
rant OF any such accusat0n-apd we are perfectly
certain that not only is such charge tenable but
mere such has ever been suspected or dreamed Of.
On the contrary, the deferentia politeness which
was the Doctors habit in the presence Of lady, or
ladies', always was, and is a subject Of common re
maIk-which, if you choose, the sequel may ex-
plain. True, whisperings against his virtue have at
times been waited about-but the scene has univer.
sally been laid at distance, and in connection with
the humber walks of life and none of even such
have attained much credit even yet.
The crime for which DR.. Hamilton Is banished
from the pulpit, the church, his home and decent
society," is yet darker in it's character the most re-
revolving, lcathsome and depraved indeed that
can enter into the head of man to conceive. If you
will turn to the 18th chapter Of Genesis, or to the
9th verse of the lst chapter Of Paul to the Romans
you will be enlightened as to its nature. The per-
petration Of this unnatural crmewth one person is
proved-confe ssed-and it is pretty well known that
similar advances had been made to o1srs, at inter
walls during years passed-with whist success, is
naturally not so well known.
Those unacquainted with Dr. Hamiltons position
here can form but feeble estimate Of the height
from whence he fell. For twenty years he has been
pastor OF Government street church-a congregation
that any minister would be excusable in delighting
in. The building, large and imposing: the au-
dience, as choice as the Union affords; always
q demand for pews, far exceeding the supply !;
every wish on the part of the pastor com
piled with !, amount Of salary scarcely limit
nd TloN <1a hcv nc ~ ~
suburbs Of the city, empowered in acres Of highest
cultivation embellished by art secluson 80 com.
plete; facilities for mental elevation and the enjoy.
ment OF refined visitors, SO ample; q cabinet Of
that host of learned naturalsts might have reveed
In while money was of no consideration in adding
to the wealth Of his library. Having published
work few years ago in defence Of the unity Of our
race, entitled "A FREUD Of Moses" his congrega-
ton granted him years leave Of absence, (Which
terminated less than year ago. in order that he
might travel in Egypt, tbs Holy Land, &C., &c, "to
see If what he had written was true or not" as an
old lady OF an adjoining county expressed 1t fur
nished him with ample means for the prosecution Of
his researches and pleasures provided for his family
in his absence, and supplied bis place in his pulpit
during his travels His " "Reminiscences of Trayelin
Egypt" &C., was nearly ready to have been given to
the public. You can Judge from this faint outline
somewhat Of the effect upon our community Of such
fall, OF such man /; but yesterday the honored
guest OF Lepsuis, Of Bunsen of the venerable Hum
boldt, and with position at home that might ex-
cuse the envy Of any man.
DR.. Hamilton is o man of great eccentricity of
manner and habits; and the many msdemeanors
Of which he has been privately accused by many,
have been set aside as mere uncomprehended pecu.
liarites OF constitution and their assertion frowned
down by thus increased devotion Of his many ad.
mirers, and twisted into envious efforts to impair
greatness incapable Of appreciation BY ordinary
mnrtals! He is man OF distinguished presence
OF snowy ablities-laborious habits, rare industry
and tSVfn IT, l. II
leaves here an overwhelmed wife, some years his
senior, and three sons, all married, Of prominent
positions in their professions and in society
One further fact is necessary to complete this ex-
position. is the reverend gentleman's confession
of his sin. When the committee visited him to lay
before him the accusation, quietly waiting till they
bad fully announced it, he placed his hand upon his
forehead, and in accents Of torture exclaimed, +" I
am guilty before God and man; though ruined
man, covered with sin and shame, no lie can ever
poliute my lips. What fool have been! Guilty,
guilty, but not to the extent charged!' These are
nearly his words. Though more was said, this con-
tains the substance.
This frank confession, Of course, elected world
sally felt that had Dr. Hamilton, from his high p0-
sltion, hurled denial upon his accusershad he met
the expression Of 30 black sin as a devilish ca
lumny-he could have trampled in the dust tenfold
the weight Of evidence ready to be br ought against
him. Scarce member Of his powerful congrega-
ton would have hestated an instant but would have
rallied around him with more devotion than ever,
and easily fought down all such contests for him.
But from what motive persons Judge differently, he
faltered not to acknowledge his sin and ruin.
In addition to this, many items Of history might
be addaced, corroborating the pretty general con-
clnsion Of our citizens, that with Dr. Hamilton the
pulpit was chosen for the advantageous prosecution
Of studies which he enjoyed and as the best forum
for the display (Which he loved,) Of his peculiar
talents. The conviction has, through all times past
forced itself upon the great majority Of intelligent
persons who have been thrown into his society that
there was no well balanced mind there; while chart
ty throws the mantle of innate moral obliauity or
more temporary insanity over his memory.
A CITIZEN OF MOBILE.
Superior C0urf-General Term.
Before all the Judges.
isaac NJ. BGidioin agt. Peter b. S,ceeng.-Order
OF SnpCial IpIrn xus4L o,.4 aon4.