The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-07-24
The Arrangement of Henry Ward
BeecheF.

andhAppy.N z 8a W .s
The Arrangement Of Henry Ward
BeecheT.
From the New York Tribune Of the Iad.l us
The sorrowful controversy by which
Plymouth Church has been 90 long agl-
tated has ceased to DO a private quarrel,
or m are congregation scandal. As long
as It could be 50 considered, We held
aloot from all discussion Of 1t, only print
ing what seemed due to our readers as
legitimate and important news. But
when Mr. Beecher publicly demanded an
investigation Of the charges against him,
we gladly hailed the occSaion Of what We
trusted would prove his complete yindl-
cation, and from that hour Il appeared
that the cause Of religion and decency
would be best Bubserved by calling pub-
iic attention to the final disposition now,
70 be made oil q disgusting scandal which
had lived long enough IN the dark. It
was announced that Mr.. Tilton had gone
before the Committee and brought for
ward nothing; that Mr.. Moulton had
merely proposed compromise; and that
Mrs.. Tilton had put to reot the vague IN
situations contained in her huSband,s re.
cent letter by declaring that there had
never been the slightest suggestion Of i'm.
propriety between her and Mr.. Beecher.
All these statements we published, being
gratided that the miserable contest was
drawing near its close. f-... =
On Monday night Mr.. Tilton read to
the committee full and unreserved
statement We print II this morning,
We have no right nor inclination to do
otherwise. This case now transcendS
the power Of ecclesiastical conferences,
or Of well meaning marplots, to. settle OF
concealit Unless this irightiul exposl.
ton Is answered promptly and fully, the
most famous pulpit the world has ever
seen, since Paul preached on the Hill Of
Mars, is silenced, the life oil the greatest
preacher in the world is ended. Il ID use.
less to fall back on the record Of spot.
less and glorious career. There 10 no
longer safety or dignity in the proud
silence which would have 80 well become
the great pastor Il there were no words Of
his own to be explained. No man living,
least Of al hiscurrlsh aSsailant, would have
thN right to make him open his lips In
contradiction II his own hand was not
there to bear witness against him. Even
yet, the thousands who for 80 many years
have known and honored him, and the
vaster constituency to whom, over the
whole continent, his name has stood as o.
symbol Of genius, piety and every liberal
aspiration, will wait for his word to give
them leave TO trust him as OF old. twill
be an easy task, II he should undertake il.
II there be any explanation, apart from
the revolving one given by Mr.. Tilton,
which will either make clear the ialsity
oil these letters or interpret their humill.
alton and remorse, the better sort Of PEG.
pie in this country viii hail It % tldings
Of great Joy. ~sr..
The commanding personality Of Mr..
Beecher go dwarfs every other figure in
this melancholy drama that 1t ID hardly
worth while 10 waste time in dwelling
upon the peculiarities Of Mr.. Tilton's ex-
traordinary statement. The fevarish and
unwholesome atmosphere Of emotion in
which the lesser personsges live and
move renders their written and their oral
assertions equally doubtful and untrust-
worthy. Upon any theory Of the matter
1t Is inexpressibly mournful to see amid
what poisonous cloud Of mean passions,
temptations, jealousies, and even devo-
tions as injurious as hstreds, this great
orator and teacher habitually walked. In
few days we shall learn what answer
he has to make to these grave accusa-
tons. II he can disprove them, his posi-.
ton will be stronger than ever for this
trial and triumph. II he fails, 1t is not too
much to say that all Christendom will de.
plore loss hardly to be measured by
words, and in our own country his lapse
will be regarded as well nigh irrepara-
BILE disaster. It Is not only his eloquence,
his fame, his Christian character and ex-
ample that are here assailed. We should
lose in him the eminent preacher whom
every one knows and Rdmires, and the ripe
and liberal thinker, whose value Ia only
just beginning to be recognized by cult.
waited and thoughtful men. II he should
come alive out Of this ordeal, no will be
priced more than ever. II not, the pistol
shot Of Booth caused q national sorrow no
deeper and not go hopeless.