The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-10-26
lhE CLERICAL SCANDAL
CHAPTER LAST

~ ""ihs is the concIudinr n,nor
lblNn.1a we promised in our last issue in this
'ia n0'eu case in which colored servant r;,,
al' Da;a,D q Clergyman of No. 1 standing in
na 49,. 10y. ana the church with being guilty of
70 most damaging crime. We, as faithful
"a W., A'''S's' have given all the circumstance
y :. MY ny Ease on both sides as soon and as fully
' wv nave obtained them. in order that tho
y pa ; 'a'snt have all the light possible in
\ wa just conclusion. In this course
u we know that we incurred the ,s,.rs fol o.n
g sur y, certain class of well meaning mo-
p'' VINO seem to think the best way to
d 49, "'" proper understanding of a case
IS 10 keep all of that part hid which thew
!, u0n IKE to think is true, and publish as
i s. "s possible in the party's favor who
ought Tor the good and fair report Of
so''e'y' 10 be proven stainless. Experience
o'e'y instance that has come under our
'''. '"'io'i, has proven this to be the most
un"'se course to obtain the desired object
',''' Is 1t possible to pursue; and the pop-
ui'f expression of the day, "whitewasn-
"s' applied to all Investigations which
'.'A' partial IN their proceeding, expresses
'ne contempt the public have for en- nsrte
statements or trials. The yirluence with
"n'cn we have been assailed by some of
WIS c'ass OF thinkers, has served to show
'neir anlmus while it exposed the weak
hess OF their defence, which in eyerv in
stance fell to pieces before the least resist.
ance on our part.
oo"e shallow reasoning folks, seemed to
'hlnk that because, as publishers of a news
paper we laid the most exciting local top
IT'S oi the day before our readers, that we
were taking an individual interest in put
ting Mr. Mathews down! How absurd,
We would much rather have published a
counter statement in his favor, had there
Deen any furnished. Of what possible in
tefest or qualification could the ruin of an
innocent clergyman's character, have been
to us, who for years had lived a neighbor
and been on the most intimate terms with
MIN? We forbore to express an opinion
or analyze the numerous statements which
were published about the matter, except so
lar as we were compelled to do in repelling
assaults from unwise superserviceable
friends Of the minister. We have given
all the information that has seemed to JUS
THY publication in the matter, leaving out
number of stories having more or less
bearing on the question at issue, and which
Ii proven true would be very damaging to
the accused. With the facts before them
every one can form their own opinion.
REPORT OF PREsBYTERY.
The following is the paper formally
adopted by the Presbytery, in the Mathews
case:-
At stated meeting of the New Castle
Bresbytery held at Newark, Del, on the
goth of September, communication was
received from the Rev. II. Mathews, stat
ing that false, malicious and criminal
charges had been preferred against him by
a woman, formerly living in his family, as
a servant, and asking that thorough in
vestigation of them be made by the Pres
bytery. In compliance with this request
committee of investigation was appoint
ed, consisting of Rev. John Patton, D. D.,
Rev. J. L. Vallandigham, Rev. J. H. Johns,
and Elders Hugh Steele and ]. Y. Foulk.
The committee, after thorough investi-
cation, made the following report:
1st.-That the charge against the Rev.
II. Mathews rests only on the declaration
and oath of the woman, who has accused
him, unsupported by any corroborating
testimony or circumstances whatever.
2d.-That her testimony was utterly
unworthy of evidence or regard, for the
following, among other reasons, because
her previous character was proved by her
own admission and the testimony of re-
spectacle witnesses to have been loose as
to her own conduct, and false and SANDER
Gus concerning others; because her testi-
mony against Mr.. Mathews destroys itself
by being positively and materially contra
dictory in its sworn statements concerning
the times and circumstances of the crimi-
nal acts, which she charges upon him, on
the other hand she swears that these acts
we're limited to three occasions, all within
a period of six weeks On the other hand,
with equal deliberation, she swears that
they extended to many occasions during
period of two years; because her sworn
declarations in which she charges Mr.. Ma
thews with having gone with her to Balti-
more, to find a boarding place, have been
proved by many witnesses to have been
false and without foundation. four or five
witnesses testifying that she was brought
to the place by hack driver from the
railroad depot, and that no other person
accompanied her, or came to the house to
see her during her stay.
In all their investiG cations the committee
have not met with any circumstance, act
or word, proceeding from MIR. Mathews,
which involves, or even seems to involve
him in any approach even to criminal, i'm
proper OF doubtful conduct toward the per-
son who accuses him. or toward any other
nersou, whatever. Nor does any person,
whatever, come forward to offer any sub
stantial semblanee of proof of the womap's
charge; on the contrary, one unbroken
mass of testimony to the unblemished and
pure character of Mr.. Mathews, is afforded
us by our long and personal intimacy with
him. by his character and work as minis
ter of tho gospel for twenty-four years,
twelve of which have been spent in Elkton,
and during his whole life from boyhood to
the present hour.
Influenced by these convictions of ma
ture deliberation, the Presbytery take the
following action.
In view of all the testimony concerning
the criminal accusation made against Rev.
n Mathews, this Presbytery find no ground
whatever for prefering charges or enter
taining suspicion against him. and do de-
clare their continued and abiding conf
depce in him and most cordially commend
him to his congregations, to the church
and public at large, as worthy Of all the
confidence hitherto reposed in him, and the
affections cherished for him, as fully as if
this false and malicious charge had never
been made.
The above was passed unanimously by
rising vote, twenty-seven ministers and
nineteen ruling elders being present.
Port Deposit Items.