davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Unnecessary Delays.

lfrOm the HarLlOTu llmes.J
The mysterious delay OF Mr.. Beecher in MAKING
mis- statement Is attributed by the Associated
Press report to the objections or Tracy. his over
Jealous lawyer. Whoever may be the Directing
party Mr.. Beecher owes 1t to himself and to the
pubic 10 put an end to this damaging hesitation
ana delay. 1t is announced that his statement is
an ready, but that 1T is kept back because Mr..
Moutoa mas not yet given his testimony This IS
scarcely SUFFICIENT reason. Mr.. Beecher's jurors
were seiected by himself; they hold their sessions
with closed doors; the two lawyers who stand at
their elbows tand with whom the members hold
protracted interviews outside the regular pro-
ceedlngs) are Mr.. Beecher's lawyers; the other
side $50 lar az TINS investigation goes) seems 10
have no lawyer, and alt0getherit wears the appear
ance OF somewhat one-sided nyestigation-not
that the members OF the committee are not honest
and good men, but they must necessarily leel, in
such situation as theirs, KIND OF tacit obiiga-
ton to do the best that can be done Tor the great
preacher. 1t is at least lenlent and kindly
court-such as it Is. Now, If Mr.. Beecher's state.
ment Is completed, why delay ity One would
think it might have been made week or two ago,
but being made, II 1t Is only the simple truth, why
the necessity OF waiting TO hear from Mouiton :
Mr.. Tiiton's allegations are specific. TheF are OF
such nature as to absolutely require an answer.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03

those who are best quained to Judge as an exem-
plary Christian, who neyertneess in moments OF
contrition will berate himself to such an extent
that a stranger might suppose him guilty OF MUIR
der. Macaulay adverts to this disposition In MS
essay on the "Life and Character OF John Bunyan,"
and shows conclusvely that Bunyan's bographers
nave, through u lack OF discrimination on thls
point assigned to the immortal dreamer char
acter IN early life winch was not really his.
There cannot be greater mistake" says Ma
caulay. than to infer. rom the strong expressions
IN wnlcn ueVout man bemOanS his exceeding
slniulness that he mas led worse lie than
his neghbors Many excellent persons, whose
moral character from boyhoOd 10 old age has been
free from any stain discernible TO their fellow
creatures, have in their autobiOgraphes ana
diaries, applied to themselves, and doubtless with
sincerity, epithets as severe as could be applied 70
Titus Oates or Mrs. browning. 1t Is quite certain
that Bunyan was, at eighteen, what in any but
the most austerely Purltanica circles, would have
been considered as young man OF singular
gravity and innocence. = v rector oil the
school of Laud would have held such a young man
up 10 the whole parish model But Bunyan's
notions OF good and evil had been learned In a very
different scnool and he was made miserable by
the conflict between his tastes and his scruples."
Unless we recognize THIS tendency on the part OF
men OF sensitive conscience, the language OF
Jonathan Edwards, whose pure lie and fervent
piety were scarcely inferior to his greatness OF in
tellect, would often utterly misead US.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
A Sensible View.

From the st. Paul (Mnn. DESPATCH.
1t is creditabe to human nature that so many
are ioath to believe the serious charges against
Henry Ward Beecher 1t is credltable that the
public should be slow to accept as true scandal
relative to man who has so long occupied the
foremost position in the American pulpit. While
ali this is commendable IL is neither just nor
proper for Christian men and women to blind their
eyes to facts and refuse to receive consider any
evidence except In favor OF the accused. III Henry
Ward Beecher is guilty and Is not Endorsed by the
church the stigma rests upon min alone, but II the
church. In the face OF positive proof endeavors to
shield him, then the church becomes pdrticepS
c,fnaf,is, and the shock to religion and morality
involved in Mr.. Beecher's fall Is as nothing in COM
parlson with the shock which the cause OF Christ
would suffer at the hands Of its pr0esSed trends.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Spiritual Affection.

From the Palmer (Mass.) Journal
This spiritual affection" which Henry Ward
Beecher speaks OF In his relation to Mrs. TitOn is
rather a dangerous thing. 1t is an Affection
which seems to exist only between brethren and
sisters Of the church, and in this case seems to
have led to deplorable results. We doubt, how
ever, whether this spiritual anectonn differs
very much from the affection OF common sinners,
Or at least, whether 1t Is OF sucn nature as to be
sale luxury to indulge in. We suspect that the
Rev. Mr.. G-sndenny, Presbyterian minister OF
Jersey City, and Miss Julia PoinerOy, his organst,
have INDUCED in this same spiritual Affection"
for the lady has just given birth to a child, and
swears that her pastor is the iather of It, 1t NAV
be difficult to discriminate between spiritual
atfectiOn' and that which is not spiritual" and
Tor this reason clergymen had better not recon-
mend the former unless they can point out way
to prevent it from degenerating into sensual
love and creating great scandal
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Truly Charitable.


To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
For some time past the Beecher-Tilton dificulty
has been lldeed the staple Of newspaper matter
throughout the length and breadth OF the land.
Many are the opinions given IN relation TO the
scandal; and all who are in any way connected
domination according to the bias or different stand
points from which the people judged them. Some
there are however, VINO have reserved their de-
cision, waiting patiently till the first excitement
shall have passed away. and when sober second
thought" untrammeled by cliques creeds or
party spirit, VIII allow pood sense and justice to
rise superior to passion and prejudice.
wishing To nave the appreciation or his clerical
brethren, and particularly oil those who hold and
teach q creed different from that pr corrugated by
the Plymouth pastor, consulted several religious
journals, and. strange to say, not unlrequently
found that men vi Mr.. Beecher's cloth have been
There are, however some honorable exceptions,
and 1t Is OF these would speak particularly. Few
among the Catholic papers commented on the
all absorbing topic, while it is most notable ana
pralseworthy fact, that two OF the leading
Satneo II New York city
to the scandal. | cannot but commend their
charlty, which prompted them to refrain from CIV
ing further publicity to this sad story; also their
h1gn sense OF Justice which forbade the condemna-
portunlty OF indicating his vocation and his
honor. Truly the spirit which prompted this con-
duct ID ore OF charity; moreover the religion
wnicn teaches this ioroearance is well worthy the
attentive consideration OF all men. but partcu-
larry OF those whose names end families have been
held up, perhaps to lasting shame, disgrace and
ignomlny. NATIVE AMERICAN.
BROOKLYN, July 20, 1874.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
The Whole Truth.

From the Petersburg Index and Appeal
The HRRALD's comments on the meaning of the
late .Brookyn Blight" as it apty entities the re-
cent scandals and exposures, seems to US very
pointed and truthful. 1t says:-
Here, perhaps, is the key of the whole trouble.
religion like Plymouth church, that seems to
have ignored the old landmarks OF faith and OrthO-
doxy, that rested simply on the elOquence and the
genius OF one man. That adored Henry Ward
Beecher instead Of Jesus Christ, could only result
in this downfall
We do not believe that any plain, Old fashioned
orthodox religious paper in Virginia could have
pierced the heart OF the matter and exposed its
significance with more directness and emphasis.
The whole trouble lies In the nutshell to which the
shipped Beecher and not the God OF whom he pre-
tended to be the prophet and servant And they
have found out that they bowed down to worth
less and wooden idol.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
HOW TO REDUCE fHE PRICE OF GAS,
From the Glasgow Herald.l

From the Glasgow Herald
America is the celebrated land OF inventions, ana
we usually expect something startling from our
transatlantic cousins. The manager OF the Dunn
fries Gas Works, in Scotland, has made great hit
in the manufacture Of gas, and the Scotch papers
are very jubilant over It. At meeting In Glasgow
Mr.. Malam read paper on the subject, from which
1t appeared that he has devised system Of disti-
ling gas coal by which he can avail himself OF
very high temperatures, AMI thereby convert what
would otherwise be liquid hydro-carbon compounds
into permanent Illuminating gas. or course, py
larry matter and What he does s obtain IS less rich
in what are generally termed the secondary Or PIN H.
however IS practically OF little or no importance
10 tn be po IS sS 81 TAKE from
three and hall to Jour thousand ieet OF 1luminat.
ing gas ont OF ton OF cSa ooa tSau 20 IN
general practice among gas managers. AND let
Il be understood that the gas produced does not
ordinary diutents, such as carb0nic acid, carbOnic
oxide or hydrogen gas, for the iiumina ting powe-
OF the very complex product known % cos. gas 10
in no way diminished by his pew system OF work
ing he still gets seventeeu-candle gas from New
scotch camel coal. while the actual Yield OF the
marketable commodity Is brought up to eleven
million cubic feet per ton OF raw mineral in the
former case, and TO nearly fifteen million cubic
feet per ton in the latter. Already the
Dumfres Gaslight company have begun to get the
They have certified within the last lew DAYS That
previous to the reconstruction OF their works ac-
cording to The new system In 1879, they had very
gas in the winter, whereas nothing of the Kind
was experienced during the past season, ana IN
deed some OF the "benches" of retorts were not
kindled at oil. There was saving Of $50 tons OF
coal during the year, which was equal to thirty
per cent, as compared with the previous year
under the ordinary method Of working. This saw
ing mas enabled them TO declare their usual dlv-
demo- which OTHERWISE. with the high price q c0s,
they could not have done. The DumfrieS Gas
Company and their ingenious manager seem,
therefore, to have solved most important Quess
ton. "AQw to reduce the nrice oiGaA~
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Beechsr Tested by Bcecher.
from tie Cincinnati Commercial

Leave out the fact that until his wife
left his house aid openly arrayed herself on the
side Of her pastor he never committed to paper
any charge against her or any evidence the
real nature Of hb accusations against Mr.. Beecher
save the single quotation OF q passage from the
iatter's letter q apology; leave out all this and
all the statements OF others, apd the thousand and
case OF Mr.. Beecler BY Mr.. Beecher upon evidence
furnished oy hinfeif, and with due allowance fer
ness, and all tina, and vet can any man eay can.
didly that the explanation furnished by Mr..
Beecher is at I'll adequate to account for the
tremendous aprehensiOns OF grave consequences
to himself Should the ''secrct wnich he and his
friends cOnspird to bury in the darkness of
oblivion struggi(tnto light.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
A White Livered Sneak.

IrEVIu VIC OIHOiHHu1I UdAeVVo'I
In his sixth charge against Beecher Tilton says
that his wife declared that she encouraged Mr..
Beechers attentions in order to show him that she
could resist his solicitations! And Tilton, hus-
band and father as he was, stood by calmly and
saw this acquaintance progress for more than two
years Saw it without word OF indignant re-
bukel And afterwards this selt-acknOwledged
cuckold alleges that he discovered Mr.. Beecher IN
Tilton was able to satisfy him with her 'plausble
explanatlOnsm For two years rtOn knew, he
amorous pleas, and he neither raised his hand to
strike Beecher dead, nor did he attempt to exert
his martial authority to prevent TINS outrage on
the sanctity and purity OF home. Would any one
have believed so white livered sneak lived II the
sneak had not himself proclaimed 1T ?
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Overwhelming and Crashing ms the
Evidence Appears.
From the Albany Journ

From the Albany Journal
And 1t is our first duty to urge that all should
await MIR. Beecher's reply before pronouncing
judgment. The other side OF the story is yet to be
presented. Mr.. Beecher denies the accusation OF
criminal wrong. Mrs. Tlton denies 1t. The proof
against them offered by Mr.. TltOn Is not direct and
absolute. 1t consists OF his own allegation and OF
series OF letters when nowhere distinctly define
the wrong, and which leave 1t TO be inferred from
their tone and nature. Under these clrcum-
stances-overwhelming and crushing as the EVIL
dence appears, difficult as 1t seems to put more
than the one awful construction upon the
letJerslt Is still only the dictate OF common JUS
tice 10 walt for such explanations as may be
presented before declaring verulct.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
sLet 1t Go to the COurts!''
From the Milwaukee Sentinei,1

II they not the best agency for settling ques-
tlOns Of fact, then civilization is considerably
behind our boasts; Tor perhaps the rpest product
Of our civilization is our Jurisprudence. But, in
iact the courts the very best machinery at the
command OF society for probing a matter OF this
kind. Then let them be brought into use at once.
There is no OCCASION Tor delay. The verdict OF the
present committee or OF any like tribunal will sat-
Is1y nobody. Let the Plymouth church commission
adjourn, or II IL is determined to execute its Office,
let Mr.. Beecner write its verdict forthwith and
prorOgue 1t. Then let the trial Of Mr.. Tilton for
libel before some competent court go on apace. so
snail the public know the truth, and be ready for
some more savory topic for the street, the parior
and the uress
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Popular Verdict Against Beechcr.
From the Chicago Tribune.]

From the Chicago Tribune.]
Looking at the case from an unbiased stand
point, 1t must be confessed that the popular ver-
dict will be against Beecher. His statement and
IT, at OF Mrs. Tllton, unless corroborated by other
testimony, are entitled to no more eredence than
the statements of accused criminals in their own
defence. The public VIII demand more proof OF
the faisity Of the charges than the SIM
pie unsupported word Of the accused. with
the committee before which tie case is
being heard 1T may be different. 1t is
composed of avowed partsans OF Mr.. Beecher,
each one OF whom worship him as an idol-a being
Who can do no wrong. Conviction before such q
committee Is highly improbable; whitewashing is
almost q f0regOne conclusion.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
"Nine Men Out OF Every Ten Pronoun &C
Mr.. Beechcr Guilty.
[FroM the ClncinnatI Gazettc.1

4
member 1.-THE investigating Committee is re-
ported in the New York Times to have said that as
matters now Stood the committee would bring in
a verdict OF atquittal. Such verdict would not
be in accordance with that which the majority of
the pubic is t-uay rendering. We Judge simply
from what we Tear on the streets and see In our
exchanges. Nine men out OF every ten pronounce
Mr.. Beecher guilty. Mr.. Beechers friends hold
their judgment'In suspense" They are anxious
to have him proved innocent. They are looking
and praying ia. such q vlndication as viii iorce
the conclusion tat he has lived spotless life.
Frank MOulton can do more to establish Mr..
Beecher's innocence than any other man, as the
evidence now sands. He should be called to tes-
THY, by all meals.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
TIE PRESS ON THE SCANDAL.
A Word for TiltOn.
from the st. Louis Globe.l

Ten years ago Theodore Titon was unqueston-
ably the most popular young man III America. He
had won for himself a name and influence hardly
rivaled by any other. As editor, author, lecturer,
poet, he was the net of the literary and the Chris
tan public. His lecture tours were ovations. His
editorials were read and copied from end to end
OF the land. His opinion was gospel with Young
America OF the philanthrOplc and religious sort.
His pen was unquestionably brilliant; his words
cut deep grooves. He was dashing fearless,
trenchant, clear visioned and not a theological
slave He began his editorial career In the I1depend
emit when sects were strong, when denominations
supposed they owned oil the churches and the
iiQious press. Each sect had its organ 1t was
the duty OF their editors to grind them. All OF q
sudden, about eight years or more ago, the Iade-
pendent organ played a new tune. We must con-
less It was grand one, but then 1t was new. 1T
declared In plain terms that we, Theodore Tilton,
OF Christianity, and not OF the Congregational
sect. In these days nobody would De startled at
such an announcement. But the worlo has rolled
over very fast OF late. AT that date men were
amazed. The party who were supposed to own
the Independent and Its editor were simply en-
denounced as traitors. He was vined by all
the petty whipper-snappers OF tne denomination.
lie journal, owed Its origin in part to desire to
cripple Titon but so long as Bowen sustained his
editor the battle was a brave one. 1t was in some
respects injudicious, but IL was plncky and manly
anu 1t stuck out some truths OF vast Importance
But finally the pressure became too strong
Bowen Suuueuly CduCtncu HIS cHHdHcWcuJs WIN
4ilton-Aung Him OF helpless, and without an or
gan through which TO meet his enemies. This left
him almost penniless, and possibly almost
Iriendless. His ices were jubilant. They could
say and they did say what they chose Of MT.
Triton. They villifed him without stint They cir.
cuiated outrageous and baseless charges Most
men would have been utterly crushed. Tilton at
once started the Golden Age. What foolish things
he may have said done IS not to our purpose to
discuss. Whether IN the dispute with BeeCher he
is right or wrong must be settled by testimony.
It was who first unmuzzled the religious press
from its party and sect bigotry, and opened the
campaign for religious goodellowship. Sects to.
day are comparatively nothing. Christianity IS
vastly more important than the petty barnacles
for which each keel was quarrelling. II Titon be q
to be, yet give even the devh hts due.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03

II. And il Mr. Beecher is so little master OF himself
latter dark" as TO write or dictate matter which
In broad dayllQhJ he feels he must disayow isn't
IL possible that, during the same "witchng hoursn
he may do things winch next day he viii have OF
necessity to denyY There are tricks OF express
n-unmistakable Observation-Disclosures these dOcu-
ments which are strong intrinsic proof OF their
Renulpeness: but they are admitted, and there ~
no need to prove them. Mrs. Tilt0ns testimony
Is unfortunately, open TO the objection that she Is
something more than o party IN interest. she ID
one OF the accused. and, II the charges be sus-
tanned, an accomplice In the crime.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Beecher's Aiterthought.
IFrOm tne Cincinnati Enanirer.

IFTUM tnt CIHcIunati EnQuirer.l
1t is singular that Mr. Beecher In all his letters
10 rlton narrating his distress OF mind in conse-
quence OF great injury which he had done him
should never once have made alluson to what he
now says was the cause--viz.. advice to Mrs Til.
ton to procure divorce from her husband That
is undoubtedly an aiterthought, and poor one at
that, 10 which few will attach any credit. No one
would wish he was dead or say he was suffering
the tortures Of the damned because, forsooth. he
might have honestly given wrong advice on a
divorce question.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
TiltOn Unworthy OF Belief.


Mr.. Tilton has proved so thoroughly untrusI-
worthy that it seems unnecessary longer to teIe-
graph to the country what he says. No depend
ence can be placed on his statements. II he has
any substantial proof to ofer let MIN at once put
1t before the public, who have had enough Of his
unsupported assertions, and have learned more
OF his character than Is pleasant TO know.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
THE PRESS ON TILTON'S STATE
MENT.
Beecher ~ Doomed Ma n.

From the Kansas City lMo.) Timesl
AS the matter now stands the public look with
sorrow and disgust upon Beecher as doomed
man. The bare thought IS painful: but even such
a fall Will teach its needed lesson and work out
its sautary part in the great plan. II forty years
OF brilliant Christian ministry mad not cooled his
blood and disciplined HIS passions, We must lear
that Mrs TiltOn Is not the only victim, and that
other households have been by the
hellish pnllosophy Of free love which his brother
accuses him or having always taught in his
pastoral visits.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Those Ugly Documents.

IET0m the chicago Tlmes.J
If Tllton has been mised then the documents
which he has quoted have certainly furnished SUM-
cient cause for his error and they must be ex-
planned to the full satisfaction OF impartial spec
tators before he can reasonably be expected TO
hold Them harmless. Thus far neither the state
ment Of Mr.. Beecher nor that OF Mrs. WtOn fur
nlshes such an explanation. Mrs. TiltOn's strong
est plea is her weakness, and her weakness In this
is the poorest plea that could be put forth Tor
Mr.. Beecher.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
Beecher Stands Before the World rs q
Dunghili Covered with Flowers.

lrTOu TIC LOulSVllIc SUUTlcT-JOuTudI.l
The dreadful, dismal, nasty and revolving domes-
tic revelation which IS laid before the readers Of
the C0u1e1'Journdl this morning calls for no par
tcular comment. Every reader will judge it and
the parties to it for himself The mass OF evidence,
positive and crcumstantal. IS overwhelming
against the pastor OF Plymouth church. For weeks
1t has been evident that extraordinary efforts to
shield him from great impending shame were
being made by the leaders Of his congregation.
Had he been innocent there would have been no
shufflng. Had he been innocent he and mis- friends
would have made no light TOR time. He and they
would have been prompt, eager TO throw open the
doors and defy the world, the flesh and the devil,
no matter what shape they might assume. There
was no escape, and the crash Is all the worse for
their tactics.
We have 1t not in our heart to inveigh against
Mr.. Beecher. He stands before the world as a
dunghill covered with flowers, rom which the
sooner the public eye is removed the better. 1t IS
beside the purpose that other men are no purer
than he. II we are not to give over the scheme Of
morality under which we live, and establish openly
the doctrine that men may violate the seventh
commandment with impunity, there should be dis
played In the OF this false shepherd the most
certain and uhequivOcal testimony that we are not
ready to become nation OF CuCkOds and strum-
pets. taking license Tor ourselves by the OffenseS
Of sinners more mischevOus, brilliant and con-
SplcuOuS.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-03
A Question of Character.

To THE EDITOR OF THE UTICA OBSERVER
brief word TO my friends IN Utica. Letters
from several OF them awaited me at the 0fice this
morning, all concerning what the Associated
Press has sent broadcast over the country from
Boston personal to me. have taken no notice Of
the libel elsewhere, but please say to my friends
Utica that 1t contains not one sentence OF truth
My character Is now what 1t was when lived III
their midst w. j. GAYN0K.
BROOKLYN, July 81, 1874.