Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-04-30

the Beecher trial Is attracting much at
tcntion among tie legal minds Of Europe
An exhaustive lew Of the plaintiffs cast
and the opening of the defendants counsel
written by Professor Renaud Of the lIeidei-
berg University, has appeared in the
Archives Of Modern Jurisprudence, the
leading law journal of Germany. Prof.
Remand is SAID to be one Of the most
eminent jurists Of Germany. The
Brooklyn Eqgl, has translated and publish
ed portion Of this remarkable article. We
have room for only portion of the transla-
ton. Prof Remand says
Having carefully examined the opening
address Of the plaintiffs counsel, the eyI-
deuce OF the plaintiffs witnesses, and the
opening address OF the defendants counsel
| can but arrive at one conclusion, and from
conversation with many of my professional
brethren, who take an equal interest with
myself IN this great trial, herewith deliber-
ately contend that it is the conviction of the
legal minds Of Germany. Austria and
France that the plaintiff, Tilton, has no
case whatever; and TO Us it is a matter Of
surprise thar, under the laws of America,
he should Rot have been non-suited after
his evidence was in. In actions Of this
kiEd. character should weigh more than
anything Else. The plaintiff, from his own
words, stands convicted of having told dii-
ferent stories on the subject. His charges
against the defendant grew more seri-
Jus As his luminosity against hen, from
causes disconnected with the case Increased.
First ii was alternating his wiie's affections
he accused tie defendant Of. Then improp-
er proposals, then adultery. And, oddly
enough, while he prefers this terrible
charge against the defendant. he speaks with
mandlin tenderness of the, if his history be
true, infamous wife
This confession. moreover, was, according
to her statement, wrung from her at a time
Vi great physical prostration Such dee
laraIion by wife in the interest of her hus-
band would always be treated with the ut
most diStrust, even if she were in the best
oi health, and not, as the plaintiffs wife
seems 10 have been, imbued with romantic
notions about lcye, religion, etc In neither
Il German or French court, venture the as
sertion, would this confession have been
treated with the slightest consideration. The /
defendants conduct may have been indis-
erect But he is acknowledged to be a con-
hding, warm-hearted man, fond or given to
extrayagant language-a defect into which /
gifted persons, especially those who write .
and SPEAK III public great deal, readily
But the principal letter, the so-called .
letter OF contrition addressed to the wit
ness MonltOn, who says the defendant die
taied to him. cannot possibly have been 50
dictated by Mr.. Beecher. The latter is
man Of genius, master of concise LANGUAGE
and as ms writings superabundantly prove,
accustomed TO express his thoughts coherent
ly, sensibly and logically. But this letter.
As piece OF composition, Is not even re-
'pectable. The defendant could moi have
written or dictated it in that shape. even
while prey 10 the most intense agitation.
There remain, then, the plaintiffs wit
lesseS. One y the mysterious Moulton.
dc Is described as smart business man
PRACTICAL, energetic, and endowed with
iard, common sense. What drew him
nto this mael-stream Of bad passions ,
friendship for the plaintiff, he says.
low can tins cool, calculating. money
making man have conceived anv liking for
he VAN, pulled up, shallow minded utoy-
st? tire and water do not mingle. There |
must have been some hidden motive for
ioulton's anxiety to participate in the quar- I
el between the plaintiff and defendant. 1t q
; one OF the mysteries Of this strange affair. {
nd 1t Is not quite clear if the defendants
ounsel, in his opening address. hit the nail !
u the head in regard TO the aims Moulton
ad IN view. \ court, however. would take t
he singularity of his conduct. and, above
Il, ms undisgulsed exasperation against the j
eienGant INTO consideration, and attach bit f
cry little Importance to his evidence. And, c
: regards MoultOn's wife-well, she Is his 1
life, and had the most powerful incentive {
the world TO cOrroborate her husbands &
,stimony against the defendant. The ac- IL
initial of the latter would De ruin to the Il
illness Moulton. With that alternative 4
aring her in the face, what woman would
u lee! strongly tempted to help him ? Il
hat eodrt would take her evidence. Given
nth such an alternative before her, as en- W
rely Trustworthy? In no German or W
ienca court would it be admitted ana it
seems horrible that it should have ~ Il
dch weight IN the American court. re- Of
at, that On his own showing the plain hi
had no case, and that the proceedings ii
ould have gone on after 50 beggarly and
ngling an array Of testimony for the plain
I, adds only to our long entertained con- IL
'non that the American and English laws cd
evidence are detective and that thew lead r
Due aid to designing litigants.