The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-08-26
QneGntelIigpr

Moulton's CTedibility as a witness
The question Of BERCHRR'S guilt or In
nocence turns almost wholly now OF
MouLToN's character. II MouLToN wa
known TO be man Of orthoroughly reliable
character there would be no difficulty ii
coming 10 a conclusion, and that conclu
sion, 1t is needless to say, would not b.
favorable to BERcHER. But MoULTol
is convicted by his own testimony, in I
letter to BEEcHER, Of saying that thC
latter could stand II the whole cas-
should be made known to the world, al
expression that must be taken 10 meal
that Mr.. MoULToN not only believed him
self in Mr.. BERcHEB's innocence Of anI
tiagrant offence like adultery, but also be
lieved that tho public general!
would soc 1t in the same light. Il
addition to, this very Essential flaw ii
Mr., MoULToNs direct personal testimony
we have the evidence Of Mr.. HALLIDAY
the assistantIpastcr OF Plymouth Church
to the following effect, as given to a re.
porter of the New York Herald who
called on him on Saturday last. In Sc
many words the reporter asked hin
whether Mr. MouLToN had ever denied tc
him that there had been any criminal ac
between Mr.. BEECuER and Mrs. TILToN
To this pointed query Mr.. HALLIDAY
promptly replied,
"Ht did most emphatIeaHy."
The circumstances under which MoUL
TON made this denial were then stated a
follows:
ut was on Saturday evening, Novem.
ber 22, 1872. 1t was the Saturday even.
ing Of the week which Woodruff s. Rob
insOn's warehouses were burned. He sen
for me to come TO his house, and the de.
NAL Of criminality was made in Mr.. Moul
toms library, on the fourth story. Hi
exact words we're: 4 know as much
about this whole affair as any man knows
and | know that Mr.. Beecher is guiltless.
; remember distinctly his language and
his manner at the moment as he made the
declaration with great earnestness, bring
ing down his fists with force upon the Ia
bic rs he said so. Then Mr.. Moultor
added, DO you suppose il l thought Mr.
BCecher bad man that would have
him sit at a table with my vile as a guest
Gs he often does p Now have frequently
been misrepresented by the papers as say.
ing that Moulton said, MI. Beecher is in
nocenl' 'GuiItless' was the word used
and l desire TO be particular in this re-
spect."
This statement Of the Rev. Mr.. HALL
DAY is to be taken in connection with Mr.
MoULToN's own statement, also in connec
llon with Mr.. BEEcHER's statement, and
Glso in connection with MIR. BERCHER'l
solemn oath, as announced to the world II
yesterdays dispatchcs and in such {
combination it is, like three.fold cord
not easily broken. On June l, 1878, Mr.
AoULToN wrote these words to Mr.
BEEcuER, viz: "You can stand il tht
whole case was published tomorrow.
This is strand number one oil the combi
nation. On the 22d Of November, 1872
tho Rev. Mr. HALLIDAY AYERS that Mr.
MoULToN stated to him that MIR. BEECH
ER was guiltless;of adultery with Mrs
TELToN This is strand number two O
the combination. On Monday last Mr.
BEEcHER himself made eolemn oath be
fore an officer Of the law that he wal
guiltless of any such offence. This i
strand number three.
In this combination we ignore Mrs
TLToN's testimony altogether. We lie
it offset her husbands, both OF whom hav
lied by their own acknowledgment
While the combination docs not amour
to absolute proof Of BEEcHER'S innocenc
Of the specific crime charged against hin
it Is nevertheless Of such character as I
amount to q great moral breakwate
against all presumptions Of his guilt. !
Is sufficient 10 beget such doubt in th
public mind as will allow BEECHER t
remain on top OF the water even If he ca
no longer ride the crest c
the wave as be has hitherto don't
As the Scotch say In their verdic
when they refuse to convicts prisoner an
yet cannot acquit him fully, the crime
mot proven" The verdict Of the publ
in favor Of BERCuER will not amount to al
acquittal, but it will be something littl
stronger than mot proven" This is cel
tainly not very enviAblc verdict eve
although it is infinitely better than cor
viction Of guilt. But yet 1t Is all, an
moro than all, that Mr.. BEEcHR
could expect under the circumstance
He has manifested 30 much folly that h
can never again enjoy the public respec
Holy Writ tells us that "dead flies caus
the ointment Of the apothecary to sen
forth a sinking SAVIOUR: 80 doth a litt
Jolly him that is in reputation for wisdol
and honour" And II q little folly hi
this effect, 1t follows "a iortiorD that
great deal OF folly, such as BERouER hi
been guilty Of, must send forth vel
"stinking savour' indeed, which indee
il has.
Convention AT Bellaire To-day.
The Republican Congressional Convel
tloD. rnnrrsentinp the countiea NJ Relnnn