The New York herald., 1874-08-30
Various Views of the Church
"Acquittal."
MIR. MOULTON'S CARD.
His Verdict Opposed to the Be-
lieving Brethren.
THE DRAMATIC POINTS.
A Survey of the "Unhallowed"
Scenes.


THE FEELING IN BROOKLYN.
Yesterday, attendant upon tine publication OF the
long delayed report Of the. committee OF investiga
ton In the case OF the great scandal OF the nine
teenth century, can best be described perhaps, by
the use that expressive though intelligent term
"mixed." The statement of conclusions arrived
ut by the committee OF six was "thing Of
beauty" and, consequently, a. source OF 'joy for
ever" to the pious pewholders OF Plymouth
church who have all along clung to the sentiment,
1--WE will stand by Mr.. Beecner in this matter,
right or wrong, believing that he Is innocent be-
cause his accusers are unworthy OF belief" II Is
unnecessary to say that there were thousands
OF people outside the pale Of Plymouth's 8
now festive portals who caught the spirit OF en-
thusiasm engendered by the verdict of the sage
senate on the scandal, and who would not listen
to anything that would for moment tend to
throw doubt upon the correctness OF the ver-
dict mot guilty." which has been flashed through
ont the land and sent beneath the waves to for
eign climes, that it is known ere this to all men
who care to hear it. But there was, and it cannot
be concealed, vast number OF intelligent and
even so-caled Christian men who took very
different view OF the position of MIR. Beecher be-
fore the world. There were those who claimed
that the defence was insufficient; that the proofs
were not all in, and who did lind that
there was something In the evidence ''that
should impair the perfect confidence of
Plymouth church and the world In the
Christian character and integrity of Henry
Ward Beecher." The expression was heard upon
many sdes Nobody is surprised at the result OF
the investigation of the scandal What other
result was to be expected from a committee OF
personal frends and warm admirers of Mr..
Beechers But that will not alter public opinion
upon the subject one way or the other" And as
1t was. there were those VINO cung tenaciously to
the dogma of Beecher's infalibility, and there
were those who were SO extremely sceptical upon
the subject that they grew profane when the sub
Iect was discussed with Plymouth church people,
and the topic was certainly of great warmth and
Of most absorbing interest everywhere. The in
different upon the issue Of events in the case re.
marked that they were glad the committee had
concluded Its labors one way or the other, such
4 result was indicative OF q speedy cessation OF
hOstilties, and promised relief to the readers OF
the newspapers from further necessity OF read
Ing 1t.
member Of Plymouth church with whom the
reporter conversed yesterday touching the visit OF
Moulton to the meeting on Friday night, said -
"That man M0ult0n had no right to come to that
church upon that occasion. He came there for a
uipVoS, ouu puut WIS w CIcdtc u mOD anu eXcltC-
ment, 80 that 1t would react and reflect discredit
upon the church. He knows what he Is about very
well, and relies upon his cunningness to hoodwink
the public on this event. by telling them that he
merely went to the meeting to listen, and nothing
more He is not a member Of the church, and he
knew his appearance would cause just such u
scene as did actually transpire."
Alderman Ripley Ropes, OF the First ward, re-
marked TO the writer that he believed Mr.. Ray
mond acted unwtscy in speaking in tine language
In which he did OF Moulton, and he added, ''Tne
end Is not yet"
Interview with Frank Moulton.
Yesterday the writer, animated by q desire TO
obtain the views OF the American edition OF "Our
Mutual Friend" visited Mr.. Frank Moulton at his
residence in Remsen street, near Columbia. and
talked with him concerning his treatment by the
pious people of Plymouth Church and the state
menf. The scribe was cOurteously received by
Mr.. Moulton, who appeared In excellent health
and spirits, without scratch or wrinkle upon his
genial countenance to indicate that he had gone
through the fiery furnace Of contumeIy and abuse
at the hands OF three Thousand angry people
whose intense dislike he had incurred but a few
brief hours before. Moulton in fact appeared
happy and contented with himself and the rest OF
mankind despite the storm which is waging and
the wrath to come.
REPoRTER-fhe committee OF investigation nave
failed to find that Rev. Henry Ward Beecher has
done any wrong toward Mrs. Tilton at any time or
place whatever. What Is your opinion OF the re.
suit Of the Iabors of the committee
Mr. MoULroN-My belief is that the committee
have wnfuny disregarded the evidence elected.
REPoRTER--Wh hat have you to say touching your
position before the Plymouth church society last
ntgAti
Mr.. MOuLroN-I went to Plymouth church last
evening because had right to 60 there. NV wife
IL o member of that church and am Of the
congregation. l went there upon that occasion
with theutmost simplicity Of purpose, to hear the
report read. It was late when reached there,
and am indebted to the courtesy OF a reporter who
gave me seat near he desk or just in 'front.' OF the
platform. After Professor Raymond had read the
report of the committee, Mr.. Blair, as you are
aware, arose and spoke upon the adoption OF the
resolutions, and IN the course or his remarks he
called upon any person who desired to be heard in
opposition to the resolution to speak then, sent
u note to the Chairman OF the meeting requesting
permission to speak. Rossiter Raymond followed
Blair and In speaking he made some very insult
ing remark about me, when arose rom my chair
called MIN liar. Then when the question was put
upon the adoption OF the resolutions all voted
'.aye," alone voting "nay." The dramatic scene
was Mr.. Shearman, u self convicted liar, reading
the resou tons and asking the vote ON the acqult
REPoRTER-Why do you call Counsellor Shear.
man q self convicted liar, Mr.. Moutons
Mr.. MoULToN-WhyY Because sir, he was SO
shown to be in nv lrst published statement.
REPoRTER--Wbat do you think oi the tumult oc-
casiOned by y0nr appear anceY
MT. MoULToN--it was AN unfortunate tumut for
Plymouth
kEPoRrER--It was claimed that YOU had no
status Whatever there; that you had not the right
either TO speak or vote upon the questions put 10
the meeting?
Mr.. MouLrox--it take a different view of the mat.
ter My vile is a member OF the cnurch, as SAID
before, and am member OF the congregation. so
tDat had the right to speak both elements
church AMI cOngregatiOn--0elng represented IN
tbe committee OF investigation. Had gone out or
spirit oi bravado or had gone to church Tor any
otner PURPOSE than 10 listen, II might have been
ulncrent thing.
hkPORTER--So you Opne that the treatment YOU
fesetVcu at their hands Will be bad lor Plymouth
Mr, MoULT0N--les; don't think, though, that
M Musn Maecehcy h TO he expected from any cOngre-
Hn,!on lIlat VIII endorse an adulterer.
M.hfohTER.-fou are credited by one OF the public
pIinCs Win having told "a writer that Mr.. Beecher
u nhu cVhiesseu 10 you that he had committed an
lndcgent assault upon a married woman DID you