The Van Buren press., 1874-08-04
Shut the Book.
from the Courier-J Journal. |

Although discreet and whoes ONE
sense ofpubic morality would ignore the
Illton expose, we may take il for grant.
ed that, however modesty might wish to
escape Its indecent details aud sugges-
tons, we shall not be ,tbie to abalc the
full measure of its effect rapon the
thoughts Of our time, - 4t"
It's a consequence Of the evil done by
conspicuous persons, and therefore an
a2gravatlon Of the wrong perpetrated
against society, that there is added to
the wickedness ofthe original ofense he
character and influence of the offender
For this reason the sin of a clergyman is
justly considered to he less pardonable
than that of a layman, and infinitely moie
heipous than that of the wordling who
makes no pretense of religion
or Mr.. Beechers guilt the evidence,
positive and presumptive, is overwhem-
ing. There is but one loop-holo of es-
cape possible, the insanity of Tilton; for
the devices of managers like Shearman
and Wilkinson-both shrewd witted and
unscrupulous men-wil pass for not
much more than the asseyerations Of the
convicted couple.
In order that the public may have u
better understanding Of the case t should
be advised that Tilton is a simple mind
ed man of genus, having such gilt Of
speaking ard writing as Blind Tom has
for playing the piano. Those who know
him call him " Theodore. " He is. "A tall,
beardless, handsome boy, with dreamy
eyes and chestnut curs, reminding one
of a creole lad in Louisiana or Missis-
sppi Anything, everything silly and
generous, shrewd and QuiXotic, is recon
cilabe with his character; nothing that is
base, treacherous or wise, One day he
ran in to Dana in a high state of excite
ment Mr. Dana, says he, Mr..
Greeley has called me a damned rascal. "
The imperturbable Dana turned placidly
about and said, in a sympathetic. depre-
catory tone, mo, no; he certainly could
not have said hat We'll" says
Tilton, Z" he called me damned fool. "
"Oh, SAYS Dana, "Do doubt, no
doubt. " Mr.. Frank Moulten, Tilton's
friend is a gallant, open hearted, truth
iul man, as incapable of double dealing
as Tilon These two against, n world OF
SNUG faced Bowens and fee fed Shear.
mans, to say nothing Of an astutc and
devilsh imp Of darkness like Sam Wilk
nson, who has been a ponent instrument
of mischief all his life.
This company Of pious rogues, full
wilted and rich, may crush Tllton, they
may drive him to insanity, suicide, or
l,ght; they may throw around Beecher
a net work of plausablc sophistres; they
NAV encircle Mrs. Tilton with bribe of
gltterng pseudo gailantrles; they may
do what men OF resources may always do
with an antagonist who is without re-
sources, SIT ON HIM. But one thing they
can not do. They can not restore the
fame of the false pastor and the wicked
wife Mr. Beecher may as well shut the
book. The greatest preacher IN the
world, he is cut down in the splendor OF
his usefulness and glory If he be inno-
cent it is Gods wall, and he must bear
first martyr Ii he be guilty, he has only
himself to blame. Society must, in
matter like this, consult its interests ana
can not afford TO have him fastened upon
il any longer. 1t may be unjust, but it is
not mean or revengciul, concerned for
its moral well being and turning away
from one whom it followed so admring
", rather in sorrow than in anger. Mr..
Beecher can not escape his destiny. "rhe
End is written over his doorway. He
should disappear, vanish
"Where Oblivion's pail shall darkly fall,
On the dreamless sleep OF annhilalion."