Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-07-02
The BEEcHER SCANDAL.

Religious congregations and societies
are usually notable for obstinacy and
willful blindness to everything they do
not wish to see. OF these peculiarities,
the society OF Plymouth Church appears
to have its full share. 1t has set up its
pastor on u high pinnacle. declares that
it can see no fault in him, and is dread
fully indignant with any body else that
can. Some four years since this scandal
frs. became notorious. and has attracted
more or less attention ever since. So
far investigation has been fought of in
the approved Congressional style-there
was nothing wrong, but still the accused
would not take the trouble to show his
innocence. Just SO with Beecher; he
was first denounced by TIlton for con-
duet that, If guilty, neither Beecher or
any one should be allowed to further
perform the holy functions of a christian
minister. After attracting much public
attention, the matter died out, until re-
vived by Mrs. Woodruff. The infamous
character of ths, woman caused her ac-
cusations against the Brooklyn Apostle
to have but little weight. Not only that,
but the believers in Beecher, aetusted
by the rancorous cruelty so character
istic of all religious zealots, prosecuted
the woman and caused her TO remain
some time in Jail. Thus the ghost of
Beecher's frailties was once more laid.
1t is, however, peculiarly shared by
women and parsons that they will never
let well alone. When they get their
enemy down, they never think of letting
him up, and be eontented with their VIC
tory, but they keep rubbing the sore
and humiliating their fallen foe, until
if there is spark Of life left, desire
for Vengeance will again animate his
breast. Just so in the Beecher case.
From some queer hocus-pocus known
only to the initiated, Tilton had been pac-
flied, or at any rate rendered quiescent;
Woodhul's Jail experience had quelled
her. and all was apparently quiet. But
no, the Plymouth Church council could
not help pitching into Tilton, and kept
hitting him hard raps until the man or
thing, or whatever he is, got mad, and
stirred up the whole sinking mess again
so deeply and recklessly that the fumes Of
the nasty affair are occupying far more
attention than the parties concerned
are worth. 1t is Imaginable to see the
way both sides dodge the issue. Ply
mouth Church wants Beecher to con-
tinue his ministration, yet fears he is
guilty, and that a searching investiga-
ton will prove it; therefore they do not
want to investigate, and pour their
wrath on those that ask for it. Titon,
who, from all appearances. is either
much more or much less than a man. on
his side asks for an examination, and
yet he does not wish it either, for it will
incontestibly prove that either he has
brought a groundless charge, or else he
is a pitiful scoundrel for permitting
things to go on so long without bringing
the evil-doer to justice. In any case the
investigation will show the otfense and
who is the offender, and as that might
be Beecher, his congregation fear it, and
would sooner go on as they have been
doing, taking their pastors innocence
on trust. If they could have kept theii
long tongues still, the present disgrace.
full condition of things might have been
avoided; as it is, they have only them.
selves to thank for the situation, the
end of which will be that public
opinion will demand that if Beecher i;
innocent, that his ASSISTANTS be pun
ished; and if he is guilty, that he nc
longer usurp the place of the shepherd
when he is but a lost sheep himself.