The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-07

wrong that had been done. Mr. Tfltou
is accused ofintending to strike Mr. Beecher
a staggering, if not a fatal blow. Whoever
reads his letter with care will see that
he studiously refrained from striking any
blow at all, save at the thick network of
calumny and Misrepresentation that had
been adroitly woven for his own entangle-
ment and ultimate destruction. His sole
purpose was to save himself after years of
penitence and endurance, and when a
longer silence and endurance would have
been fatal; and he RETAINED from mention
ing Mr.. Beecher at all, except as it was
necessary to do SO in order to set himself
right. His reticence in this respect deserves
commentator If. in order to yindicate
himself. he was Obliged to lift the curtain
and expose series of disingenuous and in
excusable transactions, it certainly was not
his fault,
IF MR.. BEEcHER WISHES TO ExcULPATE HIM
a4' on" SELF, Hn f3l4H
Plymouth church wishes to yindicate the
character OF its pastor, the way is open, and
the world will await the issue with anxious
solicitude. But so far was it from being Mr.
Tilton's purpose to fininre Mr.. Beecher in
any way that his sole hesitation to publish
the letter was fear that it might injure Mr..
Beecber. He said to personal friends who
urged its publication that hs shrank from
saying one word that could add pang to
Mr.. Beecher's already pierced and tortured
heart. He said: 'I would not Law so much
as finger on that sad and sorrowing head;
would not rise by bis ruin If could" This
mas been Mr.. Tilton's Prevailing temper of
mind and way OF speech. He regretted
nothing so much as the necessity which
forced him to say anything about the mat
ter whatever II Mr.. Beecher is smitten, he
has only himself and his friends to blame
| for the blow. So much tor this part of
the matter. But the essential point in Il his
1 hnl Mt Of nj
With the scandal itself we have nothing to
do; that is a matter Tor Plymouth church
and its pastor to deal with. Ifthere is no skel-
eton in their closet, they will probably hasten
to open the door and let daylight shine
through its dark places. Webster said that
suicide under weight of accusation was a
confession ofguilt. There are circumstances
| in which science is suicide. But
one thing in this whole matter is
so conspicuous and grand that ii
deserves a notice it has no. received. We
refer to the federation, the sympathy, the So
| licitude of the American people for great
and useful man under cloud of suspicion
thick and heavy enough to crush an ordin-
airy character beyond recovery. Had this
| thing happened twenty five years ago Mr.
Beecher would have been dragged before an
i ecclesiastical tribunal for trial in less than
month after the accusations assumed def
finite shape and had .he tried to preach.befort
a trial he might have been mobbed. To-day
there is scarcely man or woman in Amer
lea but hopes he Is innocent of any wrong
and tries to believe him so. In spite of cir
cumstantial evidence confirmed by his own
course his name is a precious household
word. He has the sympathy of 10 0O0, 0OC
and bless him. There is sornethine
almost sublime in the spirit anc
attitude of the American people, who refus.
to condemn great and useful man even
in some moment of temptation or undu,
heat ofan impulse only the strongest nature:
understand, he did what he ought not. A
least until compelled to do so by the neces
stiles of the case, they see the terrible inius
tice of weighing a whole lie of unequaleC
serviceableness against a momentary infat
uation, and throwing 80 years ofconsecrateC
effort for the highest ends utterly away fo
! what may have been done in a fit of frenzy
and if they condemn him at fall, it will b
for efforts to evade and conceal what SHOULD
have been
FRANKLY ACKNOWLEDGED TO bis OWN PEoPL,
at least, and his willingness to shield him
self by allowing the innocent To suffer 70
his offense. So much has Justice gained: q
vast is the increase of charity. His creates
mistake has been in not trusting himself T.
people who are proud of his fame an,
jealous of his reputation, by a courageou
T statement of the facts. when it was foup,
J the air was full of rumors and surmises Al
ounce ofsincerity is worth a world of cum
ming" The article in the Golden Age will
say that all Mr. Tllton asked for himself
and all his friends demand for him, i
: justice. He says he conceals nothin,
that duty to others and the naturs
delicacy of his manhood does not requir
him to lock in his own breast. He claims b
has been guilty Of nothing but too grea
confidence in unworthy people, and mis-
takes of judgment that were prompted b,
an impulsive temperament and warm, kline
heart. The act for which he has been mos
severely blamed was prompted by desir
to save and help others, and was done unde
the heat OF generous impulse, which mad
, it impossible for him to count the cost t,
, himself. He frankly confesses the mistak
for which he has paid full dear. He ask
neither federation nor sympathy, bu
simply for that justice which is so natura
to the heart of the American people
; and which, in the long run, they ar
sure to render to whoever confide
in them without concealment or doublede
+ ing. They will not punish an error of judg
ment as though it were crime, and crush
brilliant writer, eloquent speaker and au
thor of unusual promise as though he ha6
defiCd all decencies and broken all command
ments. They will see to it that Justice j
done to him as we'll as to another who stand
on the pedestal OF 20 additional years, ant
has powerful church and denomination a
his back. They will protect the gray hair
and venerable form of one whose noble ser
vice pleads for him as no human tongue caI
speak; and if he goes down at all it will b.
by his own act or the folly of his advisers
They will not shut the future against an
other, of splendid promise. who has don
nothing to be forgiven, and only asks al
open field and even handed justice.
STARVATION IN MINNESOTA.
APPEAL TO THE CHANGERS, AND OTHERS, b,
GOVERNOR DAVIS.