New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-17


DIR. LEONARD BACoN's VIEWS on THE CASE AS IT
srASDs-ruE FINDING OF THE COMMITTEE SAT-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF SAYING THE CON-
MITTEE WAS PACKED.
From The IadepeNdenL 49,
The report of the Investigating Committee
has made and accepted F1r the present
Church concerning the great scandal are closed Crt
cism the manner IN which that oomse was asa CON
the result in which Its abors have terminated cannot
be regarded as nntmey OF imPertine men
seems exceptional we should remember hat the oeea
sion was exceptional aud that Inc TorK ASSIGNED 10 the
certain whether he ought 10 be put upon trial. Inc
Committee, though nominated by Mr; beeoner ana ap,
pointed his request wasn form and III TACT appointed
5y the Plymouth Church Consistory, or " Examining
Committed" The question which was 70 answer , ana
what I. T. has now at last publicly alleged againsl nun
tigse only the preliminary question Is there such
a snow of evidence as cill justify US In drawing up
charges against our pastor tfe Rm
means more than simple verdict Oh mot
guilty. or IN other words N9t proyea means cam
II means just what Is meant when grand Jury. after
hearing an indictment ana LOOKING a. ee snow oi prooi
refuses TO lind "a true bill :" or When prosecuting
officer, after receiving complaint ana inue neediui
inquiry takes the o use ,bs wo,a
convenient way Of marking the distinction between
mat 5osa spd n 1i the Evidence To- jafy the
least suspicion OF our pastors lnterlty ana purity
church. advised by It's cOnestory,
the evidence not only does not afford any foundation
for putting trial the pastor OF this church. the Rev
Henry Ward Beecher bat the contrary, establishes
10 The perfect satisfaction Of this church bis entire iDno
cence and absolute personal purity with respect 10 ali
the charges now or heretofore made against him by
Theodore Titon."
In common with tens OF thousands whose hearts have
been panied long by the existence OF the scandal,
accept. the report Of the Committee Some things
must acknowledge are not yet entirely explained but
80 far the testimony has been given TO the public
land that everything important has been pub
ilshe0) is In the whole nothing upon which
probable charge against Mr. Beecher could be founded
in the present posture of the affair Mr. 2onton and Mr.
Tlton stand before the public charged with foul
spiracy and II is for them yndicate Themselves IL
they canhe thing which they are promising ~ do
do not forget that the entire proceeding In the
Plymouth Church-from the appointment OF an inyest
Calling committee TO the enthusiastic church meeting
has been essentially pdrte How could IL DO other.
wisef An Investigation by grand jury 10 essentially
paTe-an inquiry Ia behalf OF the State party
TO determine whether another party shall be put on
trial just this inquiry In behalf Of Plymouth
Church, as party, 10 determine whether another
party-namely the pastor-shoud be put on trial. The
but only preliminary inquiry. twas at Mr. Beechers
request that the inquiry was instituted. Every
| member OF the Comnnttee ais friend, aud
was selected by HIM for that special service. There
no pretense anywhere that conflicting prejudicee
were 10 DO represented In the Committee. The
consstofy only complied with the pastors re-
Queet and ratified his nomnation ft would easy TO
say that the Committee 20 constituted packed
Comnlttee jus, ~ " was 70 thai the Bf0oklya
Coanci dele gated from churches IN all parts Of tie
Uaised staIsA was packed Coassis bat " ssy thai