New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-08
NNCNTTIrDC OF THE CASE.

The interest in this case when once before tho
courts canrot fail to be greater than IN almoiS any
OF the great trials for whatever cause in TIC history
Of the country. The consequences ID tle two IIti-
gauts are momentous. Eternal infamy for Baecher
or long puni3hncnt for IiJOn must follow IL case
o. positive decision ono way or another. Ihe
trial shortly to be begun can hardly fail - b9 indo-
cisye: the parties to the scandaous issue will prob
ably 90 down To their graves with Tat Issue IN
settled Nevertheless the interest in it never b193.
The wide acquaintance Of both Ir. Brecher and
fr. TiltOl in every direction, ut hO.3 and abroad,
tho recognized ability OF tho two men as
lecturers and Writers AID tho strong hold
which Mr. Beccher has had upon tho people
as a teacher of ChIstian morals, make this 'iaI an
exception among tho greatest. 1t ID in no sense a
local affair." in w1ch state or eYena single country
Is interested, bus it has been given place in tho
newspapers Of very many fo-eiga nlione and han
forced It's way into tho conversation Of
even respectable soaiety everywhere. Il las
developed parties in this country almost
az ditinct and intense as opposing
political factions in the midst Of q campaign; and
publicly 3nd privately the adhereuts OF either side
have declared themselves with much warmth Of cx-
preston. aside from the ou;spoAcn position Of the
large majority Of newspapers, both SIR. i .echer and
Mr. Tilton have received letters from all parts Of
the country expressive OF sympathy aud urging
them TO tako no step backward Added
10 these letters. which arc numbered by
hundreds if not b. thousands. the appliel-
tiors to lecture have been almost fabulous IN
number as weu as in the remuneration offered.
More intensity of interest could not well DC mag
iued than has from tho first been exhibited in this
scandal. It Is 10 tho whole country what similar
ones usually are to tho local communities in which
. IL .l.-f
minister. then i'll Cbarestown, Mass, was discovered
some years since to hay, comAted a Ike oiienso to
that with which Mr. Gcccher Is now charged Il
created much excitement ana aroused great local in
digna.ion the church Of which h9 was pastor, and
the city were quickly made too threatening for him;
but the outside world heard little or nothing OF
il. Tho miniature scandals Of recent date In
Jersey City and in Western Nassachn-
cetts, in many respects tho dui licates
of 10 BROOKLYN mystery. not|ith5tandiug the IN
ducnccs Of this last TO mako such stories ?llataJc
to the community. have attracted hardly more than
local attention although III either case the feeling
has been much the same in their Immediate neigh
borhoods that his been experienced regarding the
BROOKLYN scandal through the Eastern Middle, and
Western States. Ii ia worthy Of notice that tbe
nulpit his boon remarkably silent during the pro-
grcss OF this controversy Bat while ministers have
said little from their desks directly concerning me
subject. uLmistakable references have been made
in most pulpitS indicating tho convictions
Of tho pastors. and perhaps no class of
citizens have followed tho developments more
closely OF with greater care There have been
few exceptional cases. however, on which very de-
cidod sermons have been preached aud widely diff
fused With few notable exceptions, the religious
journals, edited for the most part by prominent
,1,otr f;Vn NJ ions
have been moro outspokcn than the pulpits.
betraying their fears and instructing Mr.
Beccher What courses were open to him. Their
criticisms of the Investigating Committee ard Of
its abortive work were more than those from
almost any other source. An earnest discussion has
meanwhile been excited regarding tho relations OF
ministers to their female pensioners, the whole
argument of which has been based upon the Brook
Iyn scandal. Upon this and kindred topics the pull
pit and religious press have ventilated their views
with great freedom.