The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-03
IOWA.



Your correspondent spent several hours to-day
ascertalning the verdict OF lowa's capital city In
the Beecher- rilton case. He nrsJ directed his
sters toward the haunts Of the l5gal fraternity.
ana spent some time IN the court rooms and IN
the business places OF the disciples Of Blackstone.
From the scenes of lsga strife he passed to the
quiet Of the parsonage and there sought also for
an opinion In the case OF Mr.. Beecher. The opin-
Ions here were not clear and strongly eX-
pressed as among the lawyers There was more
OF a disposition TO regret the publication OF the
sc neal and morolize over It's effect upon the
country.
THE CLERGY.
The pastor OF the Baptist church regards the
crime charged against Beecher as not proven.
Rev. MIR. Berry. pastor of the Filth street Meth
odist Episcopal church, inclines TO the belief that
Beecher Is not guilty. He thinks the act charged
not proved beyond reasonable doubt, and
gives Beecner The benent OF me doubt
Rev. Mr.. Ht pastor Of the Central Presbyte-
riau church, says Beecher Is not guilty, although
Titon's story seems plausible at times against
Beecher. Thinks Beecher innocent OF criminaity,
thougn very njudiclous and mprudent.
Rev. Mr.. Andreas, pastor OF the Centenary
Methodist Episcopal church, has Inclined soms-
times one way and sometimes tue otner, but Is
now undecided.
Rev. Mr.. Frsble, pastor OF the congregational
church, Is thoroughly convinced that Beecher Is
innocent.
Rev. Mr.. Gill, pastor OF the First Presby terisn
cnurcn, says Beecher is innocent or the crime
charged, and that il will be so decided. Beecher
has been, he says, very loose in his theology, and
has departed from the faith OF his old father, but
there Is no good evidence TO prove him guilty Of
adultery.
THE LAWYERS.
Ami aafd ha had
neither formed nor expressed an opinion. The
trial was a very extraordinary one ana the evi-
denee had been admitted In very loose manner.
Henry Clay Dean, formerly a Methodist minis
ter now an attorney at law, said Beecher was
undoubtedly guilty. The trial was game ofdog
eat dog
Mr. ID. O. Finch said Beechsr's letters left no
reasonable doubt or his guilt. The testimony
against him was overwhelming.
Ex-Judge w. w. Williamson was inclined TO think
Beecher guilty. But whether guilty of the actual
fact OF adultery or not he undoubtedly destroyed
Tnton's nome, and Tllton should therefore have
verdict. The kind OF men that promscuously hug
and KISS other mems wives ls the kind VI men
that commit adultery.
Ex-Judge W. II. Maxwell thinks Beecher guilty
beyond any reasonable doubt; he had some faith
In Beecner formerly, but now considers him a re-
ligious demagogue, VINO steals "the livery OF
heaven TO serve he devil in"
NJ. u. McHenry thinks Beecner innocent. the
victim OF a gigantic conspiracy on the part OF
those who wished to strike MIN 10 the neart ana
deal blow at religion.
b. r. Kaufman says he THINKS Beecher is guilty,
though a more careful examination Of the testi-
mony might lead to a different conclusion.
E. IL Crane says that Beecner is either a con-
summate fool ne Is guilty or the crime charged,
and he can't think him such fool as TO write
those letters II he was innocent.
Mr.. C. G. Nourse ex-Attorney General or Iowa,
SAYS ne thinks Beecher is guilty OF the crime
CHARGED.