New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-31
with other known facts in the case can I'LL up the de-
tails OF q very ugly and very true portrait"
COMMENTS ON ALL SIDES.

VIEWS OF MAYOR HUNTER, ALDERMAN ROPES. AND
OTHERS on THE VERDICT OF THE COMMITTEE
Mayor Hunter of Brooklyn remarked on Sat
urday concerning the Plymouth Church inquiry, that
the Committees report would have carried more weight
if it had been more judicial 1t like an argi
nent In Mr. Beechers favor than report But the con-
clusion OF acQutta could not be mpugned on the evil
denee No impartial man would say that Mr. Beecher
guilty on the evidence before the Committee MI
Beecher's aceusers brought forward nothing which
would stand in court. TIE report may not change the
opinion Of any persons, because its conclusions we're
what everybody expected What else could be
expected on the evidence given the Com
mitteei The most unfortunate part of it
In appearance, was Mr.. Beecher's letters.
Be side these his offered only assertion and 1t
was no time for assertion. Proof needed. But 1t
has been shown that Mr.. Beecher weak In the case
The time when first felt painfully the lack OF nerve I'D
Mr. Beecher, said Mayor Hunter, was when he was in-
duced by Theodore Ton and extreme politicians OF the
Republican party to make what amounted to a retrac-
tion OF the sentiments of his well known Cleveland
letter. written just after the war; which advised modera
ton and policy OF reconciliation toward the South aud
treated party lines rather loosely. meeting was
called at the Academy of Music in this city, and Mr.
Beecher induced TO 90 before II and almost eat his
own words was present and felt panied to see his
weakness. At that time Mr.. Titon seemed to glory in
his influence over Mr.. Beecher. The weak
ness which Mr. Beecher showed then he
has shown much more powerfully IN this
matter. But what terrible life he must
have led for years! BY a bold course he might have
put an end all the trouble long ago. The disorder at
the Friday night meeting will bring no credit to
Plymouth Church. 1t o pity that Mr.. Mouton
should have gone there. There no reason why he
should. He could not affect the result. But 1t would
have done no harm TO let him speak. am confident he
would have said nothing OF Importance to the case,
nothing that would have shaken the opinion OF any
there. The day had passed for assertion 1t was
unfortunate, however, that the people Of Plymouth
Church did not act with more dignity
Alderman Ropes said that in his opinion no one was
surprised by the conclusions Of the Committee Of In
Qury Their report seemed more partisan than judi
cial but Its tone was probably fixed by friendship
rather than prejudice. The whole testimony should be
given to the public without delay. The Committee had
drawn certain differences from it In their report and
they should give all for publication, In order that
people might form their own judgments whether the
conclusions were warranted by the testimony. The
case has been wretched business throughout, said Mr.
Ropes and think the usefulness of every one who has
been connected with it will be impaired. The whole
thing should be left alone for the future without tho
publication Of more statements or matters Of that kind
But there was a spot brought to view that not
wiped out and he feared that the end yet Mr.
Beechers weakness had been displayed most unfavor
ably When asked what he thought OF the disorder In
that it was simply disgraceful.
prominent merchant of Brooklyn outside OF
Plymouth Church, who c0nversed with, expressed
himself we'll satisfied with the Committees report, and
said that the opinion OF most OF those with whom ne
cOnversed in Brooklyn conceded with his. The Com
mtee could do nothing else than acQuit Mr. Beecher
entirely on the evidence which presented They
had no halfway open TO them They must either
clear Mr. Beecher wholly condemn him. and they we're
no hal we'd hat IN
people were satsfed-that evidence had been
presented which furnished any ground for anything else
than a acqutta of Mr.. Beecher
The Rev. DE-. johnson, WHO has for over score OF
years active but quiet minister IN Brooklyn,
TRIBUNE reporter yesterday that, although
he had not critically examined the report or the COM
mitee, be had become convinced from the testimony
that Mr.. BePcher more sinned against than SIN
ming" During his long experience he had known the
trying positions IN which pastors were placed at
times while administering the various duties OF their
offices, aud il every circumstance Of busy life were
brought together and viewed under the magnifylng
not Ice made to appear in bad light no matter how
pure and innocent he might really be- There must be
without the usefulness Of the former would be en-
tirey destroyed The conduct OF Mr.. Moulton on Fri
day evening IN Plymouth Church was enough TO con-
vince any honestmnded and Unparalleled person as 20
his character Had ne kept his sefcontro there would
for him. but when he in anger and called gentle
men who disagreed with him liars, he stamped
mark upon his character enough 10 bIacken him
for life. His whole course Of conduct was completed
and made apparent by his acts on that OCCASION ana
mi,ead any person. DR.. Johnson thought that II any
had been injured more than another IN the inyes
CATION and Justly. too, ii was Francis ID. M0ulton.
reporter OF THE TRIBUNE on Saturday visited the
Produce Exchange and conversation with the mem-
ers ascertained their feelings on the SUBJECT or the
Committed report. O1e merchant said he had long
had his mind made up to the character OF Mr. MouI
ton and the value OF ms tesmony but the manner In
which he conducted himself on Friday evening was
open 70 sharp criticism. Another merchant said that
the whole course OF Mr. M0ultOn, Judged 10y his own
published statements was unworthy the countenance
or confidence OF honorable men.
prominent BROOKLYN ofiice-holder, residing In the
Eastern District, said yesterday that Mr. Beeeher
ought to OF Brooklyn guilty not guilty:
as he had caused too much trouble there already ana
II allowed to remain might create great deal more.
II Beeeher could only De kept ont OF the Plymouth
pulpit, his political power would very soon be worth
less but If retained there after all that has been said,
he would be popular than ever ana therefore
injurious to the political interests o BROOKLYN
LESSONS OF THE SCANDAL.
A SERMON BY THE REV. j. MILLER HAGEMAN.
To Uronllvp T. ID croTylpl LAST