Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-11-20

THE WooDmULL-B BEEcHER SCANDAL
The allegation is this A criminal intima-
cy once existed, if it does not still, be-
tween Rev Henry Ward Beecber and Mrs.
Theodore Tilton The fact that Mr.. Beech
er is clergyman, and hitherto unsmifch-
ed in reputation by the faintest whisper
of reproach, and that the Woodruff is a
is notoriously bad woman, 60 far to ex-
onqrate the accused. For 25 years the
Plymouth orator has been before the pub
lie. HIS spotless reputation raises very
strong presumption in his favor. AS be-
tween the accused and his accuser, no per-
son whose opinion is worth anything would
hesitate a moment. But in the shape
Mrs. Woodruff has put her accusations.
the relative regulations of the two persons
are not decisive. 1t is asserted that Mr..
Tillton himself knows all the allegations
'h"uO W NC u uC dlSu. ludb ptIs. Glihd-
beth Cady Stanton and Mrs Hooker, Mr..
Beecher's own sister, do. A Mr.. Frank
Mouton, member of Plymoth Oh urcb, is
another authority given Here are four per-
sous named as conversant with the facts
III the case. They can severity or jointly
protest that, so far as they know and be-
lieve, the charge is false. Having been
dragged into the affair, these persons cam
not remain silent without asserting to the
truthfulness of the charge ffade. This is
its good feature. 1t gives power to the
charge making it impossible for Mr. Beech
er to brush it away with wave of his
white hand Mt the same time it enables
him to rest his vindication upon the most
substantial ground. Mr.. Tilton edits the
Golden Age; NJ IS. Stanton is widely known,
and so is Mrs. Hooker. We are informed
that Mr. Moulton is gentleman of high
standing Their duty is plain. IT would
be great mistake to suppose that the rep.
utation of Mr.. Beecher is of itself ample
reputation of the charge. We all know
that men and women of the very highest
standing, sometimes fail, never to rise
again. The black list is not without its
revernd doctors and its seemingly sanity
women. Had Woodruff refrained from
giving any names, there would have been
no direct way Of demolishing her scan.
dial, nor would it have amounted to much,
any way. Itwould havepassed for mere.
ly the Malicious bahle of vile woman.
But now it has 'trength, only it is a
strength which may be made its weakness.
The public has right to demand utter.
ance from the four witnessns named.
:, Such man as Mr.. Beecber belongs to the
public. Heis a distinct factor in the
civilization Of this day He is a host in
himself. What affects him affects all, only
in different way and degree. He has
exerted wider influences upon the moral
purpose aud religious thought Of the times
than any other maa Of the century and to
allow The least suspicious ofimmorality to
TEST ON his name would be serious mis-.
fortune Once more, then, we urge the
men and women mentioned as authority,
to speak. No elaborate defense is needed.
Ifthey. answering for Mr., Beecher, chuld
join in an unequivocal "not guilty" that
would put an end to the scandal immedi'
ately, and for all time TO come. Chicago
, Journal.
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