The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-09-23
The Beecher Trial.

Mr.. Reecher's trial before the Council Of tn
Plymouth Street Church has closed. aud To,
I Council have exoneraied him from the charges
made against him. The public journals in tb,
/ United States have expressed divided opinion,
I on the case, and perhaps the public mind is moi
4 yet prepared to give verdict satisfactory TO it
self Ii is true Of this trial, more than Of any
I other known in history, that the discussion and
publication involved have been to the highest
degree Injurious. But that cannot be helped
now. The question Of all absorbing interest is
whether the charges are substantiaied II will
not do to decide this question either way on in-
sufficient grounds. TIlton's and Moutou's state
ments with Beecher's letters are not 10 be ex-
planned away lightly, and we doubt whether the
Council has succeeded in answering oil that has
been laid against him. Perhaps it would have
been better TO leave the originators of the scan
dial to their own course A tribunal selected as
this was would not be likely to be regarded as
impartial and its verdict Of acquittal might leave
as damaging an effect as the charges could posi-
bly, have made.
For ourselves, we are impressed with the fact
that altogether too good case has been made
out to be true. There is such thing as an ex-
cess of precision in proving case. If we should
lay aside as iudicialy we must not do. all regard
Tor the character and standing Of the witnesses,
We should accept Mr.. Beecher's statement as true,
and Iiltons and MoulIons as based on distorted
nth and grOsse.t nisaPprehension. If not on pure
,brcatiou But when it comes to a question Of
verscIly, we prefer to believe Beecher rather
than Moulton or Tllon. Evidence is not weigh
ed by the number Of witnesses but by their rep
u,aIion for truthfulness. and their opportunities
for know irg the truth. These meshes Of falSehood
are veaved with an art which defeats itself BY
failing to conceal itself Moulton's own state
menj convicts him Of playing the part Of false
friend to Beecher while be was all the time get
ting up a case for his friend T'ilton. He returns
to the latter the statement Of his wife that her
10 body and mind. while he carefully retains all
that makes against the former. He wilhholds
his statement until he thinks it viii tell most
severely against Beecher, and all the time under
Pre;enee Of seeking to concilia;e the parties.
We never knew Of a case where We would more
clearly apply The principle Of judging the acts
and words Of 4 man by the man himself By this
rule as well as on the evidence, We believe that
Mr.. Beecher is free from the offence Of which be
vas accused. Il would be useless to attempt to
get conviction in court Of law on such evil /
ience. The public that has so losg trusted and /
admired the great preacher, and gained from HIN 4
% mach 10 be grateful for, owes 1t TO itself as
rell as to him 10 accept nothing short Of legal 4
proof of such charge. That moral conviction .
Ehich trial in a court Of justice must often fail
o produce may not be demanded for bin by his "
rieDds. But he is entitled at least TO the ordin-
ny rules Of justice ~hich are denied TO DO one