New-York tribune., 1874-08-15
THE CRIME AND THE CRIMINAL.
THE CASE CLosED-PENALTIEs THAT MUsI FOLLOW
THE TBANSGRESsION.

THE TBANSGREssION.
70 the razor Of The Trtbune.
SIR: In spite of the cloud of suspicion, mis-
understanding, and falseho0d which theodore Tlton
and his trained band OF gosps succeeded in throwing
around Mr. Beecher and the premature crysalizltion
in public sentiment which the delay IN the Commuters
work brought about. Mr. Beechers statement carries
its own weight and will accepted by the awabdiDg
Christian public the true version OF TINS singular
story which has made the dest flights OF hction seem
dull and commonplace In comparison. The case IL
ended. The testimony OF Mr.. Tton's only witness has
found It's way TO the public ear aud has fallen dead
Tue circumstances OF its appearance and the business
reputation and bearing OF tho combine TO render
worthless so that even II Mr.. Triton chooses 10 dras
his exploded into the courts tho verdict Of tho
public can hardly be affected.
The case ends but It's penalties ought not to and
end. Accepting. the public WILL Mr. Bcechers frank
and full statement what is the record OF Theodore
TtOn To the severe and merciless eye OF society no
stands convicted Of crimes for which legal punish
ment can be inflicted, but which will bring upon him
that lasting and passioness social rerDuOn which the
feon in chains seldom unfortunate to incur iie
is morally guilty Of forgery for he has garbed letters
and founded their msconstruction blow at rcpu'
taon dear TO the whole Christian world; OF perjury.
for he has heaped fasehood falsehood mountain
high OF conspiracy, for IL an infamous plot stood
revealed in broad day. this was one OF eyyng black
mail; of torurng a sick wife into selfaccusatlon and
fouling the reputation OF the mother OF MS chil'
dren. coming money, meanwhile out OF tno
story OF her dishonor; OF making this deadly
assault on the man who had been his benefdctor and
friend from youth 70 whom no owed the fame position,
and prosperity which he had neither the wit nor the dis
cretion to keep and lastly of nourishing Increasing
and stirring up this tide OF scandal until 1t looked 30
swollen and black that IL Is not so wonderful, after all
that the man on whose head 1t TO fall shrank back
I'm fear Such series OF crimes will bring its own pun
shment There need OF indictment or prosecution
to make Theodore Elton feel tho penalty that
must attach TO his oifenses. But. beyond this.
society owes to itself, and inexorably exacts tho
full measure Of its unwrtten law. "A An eve for
an eye tooth for TOOTH" Is the mandate OF ciyilizs
ton as It was OF antiquity, The who first under
mined then tried to explode the reputation Of his
wife and his cbdren's mother; who not only played
the traitor his wife but the assassin to MS rend
who spurned and spit upon the duties OF husband aud
father can be nothing hereafter but oucast and
outlaw He does not and belong in the company
OF mothers and children. aud mis- must be hence
forth a stencil the nostrs OF all good men and wo-
As for the people who have been the instruments in
sowing this crop OF SANDER some without malice no
doubt and Others fully conscious OF the guilt OF their
nsgression, leave them to their consciences IL
they still retain them, that Will DO punishment
enough.
Eeu- York, Aug. H. 1874