Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-06-22

AAisNA
this case, we publish the following from the
| Democrat:
WATERTowN, June 18th, 1860.
| iN1. Editor A committee of the Franck-
| can Erangelic Lutheran Synod, the body of
which Rev. G. SANS IS a member, visited
your city on Monday, the 18th inst, for the
purpose Of inquiring into the difficulties in
which Mr.. SANS has become involved with
his church, and the German population gen.
| orally. The committee consisted of Rev. P.
Wieting, Rev. N. Van Alstine, and the writer,
accompanied by Rev. E. Fair, of Lena, H.,
and Rev. r. Smith, of GAINESVILLE, Wis. Due
notice was given Of our object to all known
to be interested, and not only was there an
unrestricted privilege granted to make accu-
sations against Mr.. Sans, and sustain them
| by proof, but the request was repeatedly
made that any who might have anything to
say against him should avail themselves of
the opportunity of doing so. The trustees of
the church, and number of other persons,
met the committee, made their complaints,
and offered testimony, both oral and docu-
mentary. AS a matter of simple justice to
all concerned, it is due that brief statement
Of our conclusions should be submitted to
the public:
|
by no ordinary perplexity. Our investiga-
tons could not put On the form, nor be
subject to the regulations of an ordinary
trial. Distracting excitements had left those
from whom statements were to be received.
in a condition more or less morbid The
pending suit, doubtless the occasion of much
of the unhappy agitation, was felt to be
serious embarrassment. Adding to all the
rest, and of itself no slight perplexity, is the
fact that most of US have but an imperfect
knowledge of the German, the language
spoken by the accusers of Mr.. Sans, and in
which many of the letters produced were
written. Graphing with so many incon-
veniences, we, of course, are less sanguine in
our OWE conclusions, and have less claim
upon the confidence Of the public. Never
theless we were unanimous in the pinion
that nearly every important fact received
attention, and every important circumstance
was permitted to have its proper bearing !;
and that accordingly, the truth will be found
substantially embodied in the following state
ment. Subsequent development may mate
rally modify, or radically change the aspect
Of the entire subject but it is believed that
the candid mind, receiving its impressions
from the resources to which the committee
had access, will not differ essentially from
tne JUG lueut hereby expressed,
l. It is entirely apparent that the unhappy
excitement here has, to very great extent,
been produced by evil rumors which the
enemies of Mr.. Sans have imported from
abroad, and industriously circulated with
view to injure him, without regard to their
truthfulness, and most of his friends, and
those who felt favorably towards him, have
allowed themselves, to be too much influenced
by those reports.
2. Some minor matters, involving questions
of veracity, have manifestly grown out Of
mutual Misunderstanding and unintentional
misrepresentation; and it is evident that in
an unexcited state the parties might have
been satisfied with explanations, without
even the suspicious of criminality.
3. The charge of an unnatural breach of
chastity, is, in itself, exceedingly improbable,
and could only be credited upon testimony of
the most Conclusive character. But We were
assured by the accusers of Mr.. Sans that the
only proof by which it is pretended to be
sustained, is contained in certain documents
purporting to be testimony taken in a suit
brought several years since for defan alton
of character, according to which documents
themselves, it was expressly the decision Of
the court that the charge was not sustained.
And it is due to add, upon good legal author
ity, that they are not sufficiently authenticated
to be received as testimony, by any court of
Justice in this State.
Respecting the charge that Mr.. Sans has
changed has name, that upon which nearly
everything else was made 10 defend, the fol-
lowing items are worthy of the attention of
those who are interested to know the truth:
| LIST. No testimony bearing upon the charge
has come to our knowledge, besides what is
contained in the documents above alluded to,
and certain letters, of the authors and au-
thenticity of which too little is known to
justify entire dependence upon them.
| I'd. The testimony derived from these
sources is not based upon the personal
knowledge of the Witnesses, but is of q
"hearsay" character, and involves several
material contradictions.
| Sd. But even such as it is, it entirely fails
to sustain the charge. 1t does not show that
Rev. G. Sans is the person who at former
time passed by another name.
4th. While these are the conclusions at
which the committee have unanimously ar
rived, from the means of information placed
in our possession, we are equally united in
the opinion that the position Mr.. Sans holds
before the christian public, renders it pre-
eminently desirable that any additional in
vestigation, calculated to cast light upon the
subject, should be faithfully prosecuted, and
any reliable intelligence from what source
soever it may come, will, by us, be thankfully
received. We are not prepared to make the
| negative declaration that none of these things
| can be proven; but adopting the we'll estab-
| lished principle that man must be regarded
| innocent until he is proven guilty, we cannot
but hold Mr.. Sans as still entitled to the con-
| fdence and respect of the christian public.
| Permit me, Mr.. Editor, to add that the
committee take great pleasure in rendering
their heartfelt gratitude to those citizens of
Watertown who rendered them essential aid
in their investigations, and whose generous
Inequalities they enjoyed during their stay
in the city. IL. l.. DOX, Sec'y.
| THE PROsPECT.--From every section and
| through every channel, we have cheering adj
| vices with regard to the Presidential canvass,
Men of widely diverse traditions, prepossessions.
the right chord has been touched a substantial
union of the Opposition secured, by the nomin-
| alton of Lincoln and Hamlin. In no State that
voted for Fremont and Dayton is there serious
doubt Of a Republican triumph in November.
| These give us ia Electoral Votes, to which
Kansas being most unrighteously kept out
| Minnesota "a new State) will certainly add 4,
making 118. We shall need 81 more to elect
Lincoln by the people and for these we shall
have to look to the following States New Jersey
| I; Indiana 13; Pennsylvania 81 Illinois II
Oregon In all, 81. Every one of these we
believe Lincoln and Hamlin will carry and we
do not despair of adding Delaware to the list,