Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-07-31
The TIIton-Beeeher war.

The great Brooklyn scandal case has
CONT nued, during the past week, to be the
all absorbing topic OF thought and conversa-
tion, but no specially new developments
have been made since our last issue. A
very great mass of matter bearing on both
sides Of the question has been published,
and columns of theory, comment and guess
work are added every day. AS our col
umns would be entirely inadequate to the
task of giving even a synopsis of this mat
ter, and, further, for the reason that our
readers would be quite as much in the
dark as ever as to the real merits OF the
case, even were they 10 read the whole OF
the scandalous stuff, we do not attempt
to do more than give brief statement of
the present standing Of the quarrel.
And 6rst we must add our word of re-
greet that the land should have been delugcd
with the indecent details Of this contro-
versy, which ought rather 10 have been
settled among the parties personally lntor-
ested and buried forever from sight at
whatever cost. The demorallzing effect on
the minds OF the young OF reading day by
day such details, and suspicious and init
nations as the daily papers are filed with
cannot be estimated, or scarcely guessed
al. The reading OF fifth-rate dime novel
every day would be as nothing in COM
parlson.
Briefly, the case stands as follows:-
ter the publication OF MIR. Tilton's arraign-
ment of Mr.. Beecher in twenty eight dis
tinct charges, Mr.. Beecher came to the
front with brief and absolute denial the
charges Of adultery in particular being
unequivocally declared false. Next a
statement from Mrs. Tilton was published,
fully confirming Mr.. Beecher's denial.
Afterward summary Of the result Of MIR.
| Tilton's cross-examination before the
Plymouth Church investigating committee
appeared, but without adding materially TO
| the public stock of Information on the sub
| ject. And here, while the committee ia
still pursuing its investigation, the matter
virtually rests, except that on Tuesday a
new phase was added by the arrest of Mr..
Tilton on a charge Of libel. Mr.. Tilton al
once appeared in court, pleaded mot gull
ty," and was released on his own recog-
nizance. 1t appears more than probable
that the arrest was made at Tllton's own
instlgation.
Now that the painful and sickenlng sub.
| ject has been 80 thoroughly stirred up it Is
devoetly to be hoped that 1t will be sifled
TO the bottom, for as the case now rests Mr.
Beecher must stand or fall on his own mer
Its like any ordinary man. Tho Spring
field Union of last night we think rightly
| judges that "the general feeling will be one
of relief that the case is at last in the hands
of a tribunal the scope of whose powers in
compelling evidence assures a full anG
complete disclosure, and which will sclrce
ly be accused Of any disposition 10 render
a whtewashing verdict. Those who be-
lieve In Tilton will rejoice that he has
tribunal without suspicion of bias, anC
those who believe in Beecher will be glat
that the case Is in court whose acquitta
will be more generally received as fina
than would the report of any committed
appointed under whatever circumstances
The Plymouth church investigation viii
probably go on, as is perfectly proper, be
ing private matter with which the public
has no concern, except the public has
deep interest in Mr.. Beecher, and wants L
know whether his church thinks he Ia still
worthy TO minister TO il. II there Is to be
legal trial, however, the public interest il
the present investigation will be a gooC
deal lessened, as most persons will prefe
TO wait for the verdict of the court whlcl
can compel witnesses that refuse TO appea
before The committee"