The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-02

emu OF the one affair which dwells IN all men S
minds. 1t is well enough for those extremely
proper journalists, whose minds are not of the
earth, TO inculcate upon us the wisdom Of
silence as regards the controversy between
Mr. Beecher and Mr. Tilton. But no one event
has made deeper impression upon the people
since the assassination of Mr. Lincoln. 1t
usurps the newspapers it burdens the tele-
graph, it asserts its dominance in every dis
cussion; and in the hearts of the millions
who will to-day invoke the mercy and bless
ings of God there will be a thought tor Mr..
Beecher and his trials. Some Of our
rural contemporaries speak in wonder and
others in reproach of the attitude of
the metropolitan press on this subject.
We are told by some that the press has been
Subsidized by the friends OF Mr.. Beecher.
Others are profoundly grateful for the pa
tience and consideration shown to HIM
Some of our Western friends, who are disposed
to mistake brutality for independence, argue
that Mr. Tilton must be destroyed and MIR.
Beecher saved, no matter at what sacrifice Of
truth and justice, and that this is the
animating purpose Of the New York
press. When we read these comments
we are sometimes disposed to suggest
that it would be well for the journalists in
New York to subscribe money enough to
induce one of these editors of independence
and granite virtue to remove here, and be q
moritor of journalism, that We might oil sit
at his feet and learn the secret of those grace
tul amenities, that modesty, culture and fra
ternity which are distinguishing traits i'll the
journalism of the Western States.
The truth, so far rs the metropolitan press
is concerned, is simply that, without any
desire to shield Mr. Beecher or do injustice to
his antagonist, there has been the wish to give
clergyman of worldwide fame for genius
and virtue ''the benefit of the doubt" until cir
cumstances no longer admitted of doubt So
long as it was believed that MIR. Beecher had
case, so long as his friends assured us that he
was ready and willing to explain every allega-
ton affecting his character Us a divine and
teacher of morals, it was our duty to wait.
So far as there has been any sympathy in the
matter it has gone out towards Mr. Beecher.
We feel assured that if we could announce
this morning that the trial Of the great cler-
| gyman was at an end and that he had been
found innocent of all blame there would
be more joy in every Christian household
than this generation has ever seen. For,
whatever we may think on points Of doctrine
or creed, whether we are Protestant or Cath
Ole or without professed faith, we all see
that for nearly forty years MIR. Beecher has
been O teacher of morals, and that no clergy
man Of the time has held SO pre-eminently
from an eminence, due certainly to his genius
and industry, and, as we have all along be-
heved, to his virtues, if he is to be dishonored
and degraded as vulgar adulterer, and sent
forth like leper into an angry and shudder-
ing world, it will be terrible blow to Chris
tianity. There is probably no gentleman in
this community who does not earnestly wish
for the acquittal of such man and the avoid
ance of the misery that his conviction would
! cause.
For ourselves we are proud to feel that this
sentiment of manly generosity animates the
press and public of New York. There would
be little to tempt any one to life Of effort
and selt-denial if in q day, by unfounded ac-
cusations, by successful SANDER or persistent
calumny, the results of such life could be
overthrown. In the case of Mr.. Beecher
there was everything in the character and
career of his assailant to add to this feeling
of confidence and sympathy. Without wish
ing to be harsh to MIR. Tllton, and giving him
credit for all the noble qualities that excite
the admiration of his friends, he has certainly
earned q name of unenviable reproach.
About Mr.. Tilton we are afraid there is but
one opinion in this community. Sorrow and
sympathy have passed into contempt. We
have never seen such q perverse and con-
tinued defiance of all the laws of honor,
truth and charity as this young man
has manifested. 1t would be most well
come event to all who believe in the inherent
value Of human nature if we could accept the
theory that he is insane. But such theory
fades away when we see the unusual vigor and
ability he has shown in his statements and
letters. In these we discover the highest order
Of literary merit, and we confess it will always
be problem to us how so much talent could
be allied to nature that seems dead to honor,
mercy friendship and love. AS DR.. Bacon
showed clearly in a conversation with cor
respondent the alleged ''provocation" on his
part to Mr. Tilton had no existence There
was no motive for the war upon Mr.
Beecher but his own cold, deliberate purpose
to destroy man whom he regarded as his
enemy. For even if the offence he now
charges against Mr. Beecher is true Mr.. Tilton
condoned it, accepted apology and contrition,
and, as a man of honor could no longer have
in it motive for strife. But he began the
strife, and to make the work of destruction as
elaborate and cruel as the tortures of the early
Spanish Inquisition, and in order that nothing
should be wanting in the tragedy, he must