Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-09-04
THE COMMITTEES REPORT.

HOE dG any OG1er Time OF place Whatever.
Second. We find from the evidence that
MI. Beecher has never committed any I'M
chaste Oh improper act with Mrs. Tilton.
nor made any unchaste OF improper re-
mark, proffer OF solicitation to her of any
kind OF description whatever.
Third. If this were a question of er-
rors of judgment on the part of Mr.
Beecher it would be easy to criticise, es-
I pecially in the light Of recent events. In
such criticism, even to the extent of re-
gretS and censure. we are sure no man
would join more sincerely than Mr.. Beech
Ell himself
Fourth. We find nothing whatever in
the evidence that should impair the per-
feet confidence of Plymouth Church OF the
world in the Christian character and in
tegrity of Henry Ward Beecher, and now
let the peace of God, that passeth all un-
Outstanding. rest and abide with Plymouth
Church and her beloved and eminent pas
tor, so much and SO long afflicted.
HENRY W. SAGE,
AUGUSTUS STORRS,
HENRY M. CLEVELAND
HORACE B. CLAFLIN,
JOHN WINSLOW, and
S. V. WHITE,
Commute of Investigation.
Brooklyn, August 81, 1874.
LIVELY SCENES AT PLYMOUTH CHURCH
MOULTON MOBBED.
Plymouth Church was densely crowded
Friday night. After Introductory relg-
ious exercises, the business meeting was
opened with MI. James Freeland chair
| man. The members of the investigating
committee were invited to come on the
platform and were received with cheers
The report Of the investigating committee
was then submitted by the examining
committee, with their approval and en-
/ dorSement, without one dissenting voice.
| In their brief report the examining COM
| mittee say
I've find nothing in the evidence to justi-
fly the least suspicion of our pastors in
tegrity and purity, and everything to JUS
tify and demand on the part of Plymouth
Church and society a greater degree of
confidence and affection toward it's pastor
if possible than it has ever yet felt toward
him. 1t is not the office of this commit
tee to review his errors of judgment in
managing complex trouble and strug-
| Cling against the most Infamous conspira-
cy known to the present age. 1t is for us
simply to consider what moral culpability
! if any, is developed upon his part, and of
this we find no proof, although under a
delusisn artfully brought about by his en-
emies. our pastor was for Il long time made
to believe himself in fault
The committee, in conclusion, recon-
mend the adoption by the church of the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That the evidence laid before
the examining committee not only does
not furnish any foundation for putting
the pastor of this church, the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, upon trial, but on the con-
trary, establishes to the perfect satisfac-
ton of this church his entire innocence
and absolute personal purity with respect
to all charges now OF hereafter made
against him by Theodore Tilton.
Resolued, That our confidence and love
for our pastor, SO far from being diminish
ed, are heightened and deepened by I'M
merited suffering which he has so long
borne, and that we welcome him with sym
pathy more tender and trust more unbound.
ed than we ever felt before to Ills labors
homes and our hearts. @
The report Of the investigating commit
tee was read by Professor Raymond. Du-
ring the reading of the report frequent in
terruptions were caused by applause Which
followed certain passages sustaining
Beecher, and outbursts of laughter were
drawn out by any illusions to Moulton
and his participation in the matter. The
concluding portion of the report and the
| summing up of the committee were received
with waving Of handkerchiefs. hats, &c
and the applause which greeted it's ending
was almost dedfening.
| ENTRANCE OF MoULTON.
| AT this point Mr.. Moulton came into the
| front portion Of the church and took a
seat alongside the platform at the report
er's table. He took out a book and pencil
| aud prepared to make notes of what would
| be sad and done at the meeting. His ap-
| pearance attracted universal attention.
but he sat eoslly looking around him, heed
less of the stir he was creating. "A sardon-
ic smile at intervals crossed his counte-
nance when any illusions were made to
| him, but he perseveringly' dotted down
notes OF what was passing around him
MI. Blair, prominent member Of the
church, moved the report be accepted and
the resolutions of the examining commit
tee be adopted. He was satisfied that the
reports would be accepted by all. If not,
let any person who was against it speak, OF
forever hold his tongue.
MIR. MoultoA here made movement as
II ne was going to rise to his feet, but was
! restrained by some of those in his immedi-
ate vicinity.
A call was now raised for Mr. Rossiter
W Raymond, who came forward and said
that Henry Ward Beecher had been
charged with crimes doubly black when
charged against clergyman, not only with
committing adultery, but treachery to a
friend. In all that vast evidence taken
before the committee he claimed that there
was not single line which diSproVed
Henry Ward Beecher's story.
The speaker recapitlnated some portions
OF the evidence taken before the commit
tee, and IN referring to Mr.. Moulton' S part
IN the affair he said: ''Mr. Francis D.
Moulton has tried to poison the minds Of
men against Mr.. Beecher."
This seemed to rouse Moulton, and
standing up erect, he glared at the speaker
and exclaimed twice, in tones which echoed
through the building, You're liar, SIR
Instantly
ALL WAS CONFUSION.
Men and women rose to their feet, the lat
ter mounting on seats and joining in the
cry with q hearty good will Put him out"
Shame, sir" &c, mingled with loud and
prolonged Kissing, in the midst of which
Mr.. Halliday came forward, and making
himself heard above the din, partially re-
stored order, saying; Gentlemen, let
him sit still and hear the truth" But
Moulton still remained on his feet, glaring
round like wild beast at bay, and saying,
II dare you to put me out.'
Two police officers appeared behind Mr..
Moulten, and he resumed his seat. Order
being partially restored, Mr.. Raymond
continued; ''Well, now l want to say
something to you about Matchmaking -
lCries OF $50 for the blackmaler. He
claimed that Mr.. Tilton did not know
where the money came from, but it was
evident he had paid him money out of his |
own pocket, Was it upon his insinua-
lions, garbled language and letters Was
1t upon this, he wanted to know, they were
to wait and doubt?
With regard to the pistol, it was not pre-
tended by MI. Beecher nor advanced by
Mr.. Moulton that under the influence Of !
the pistol he was hurried or intimidated