New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-26

the possible ruin of his character, he had not
much to fear from the finding OF jury.
If Theodore Tilton however has not proved
his charge with the plainness which the jury
were bound to require, the best friends OF the
defendant on the other hand must lament that
neither during the newspaper discussions nor
during the lorg period of silence and sup
"prcssion' when the scandal was discussed
over advanced tea-tables, nor even fully anu
to the general satisfaction during the trial, was
Mr. Beecher able to meet his accllsers with
that indignant frankness and clear PROOF OF
freedom from all damaging complications when
one naturally looks for in an innocent man
CHARGED with a shameful crime. 1t Is no
proof of guilt that he did not do this.
He knew the character of TiltOn and his asso-
ciates, understood perhaps better than any OF
us how difficult it would be to prove the truth !;
and he certainly had a right to seize every
advantage which the law allowed him, and
manage the suit as if it was nothing more
than q matter of money. Considering the
amazing folly and weakness of his previous
action and the perplexities into which he had
cot himself by taking counsel of the heather,
this may have been in the end the only pru-
dent course for him to adopt. Those how
ever who feel that the reputation of clergy
man is the jewel of his life will regret that
such policy should have been judged neces-
sary. The controversy over MIR. Beecher's
integrity will go on as hotly as ever. The
newspapers which have taken advantage OF
this trial to vent their private spites and pur-
sue their personal quarrels by assalllng the
defendant, and have rolled this clerical scan
dial under their foul tongues with diabOlical
relish, will be more venOmOus than ever.
There is large class of readers who always
enjoy bad stories about other people, especial
" about ministers, and there are newspapers
not ashamed to earn dirty living 10y giving
them all they ask for
But if Mr. Beecher is neither convicted
nor absolutely indicated, there are some
respects in which the trial has had a
practical issue. We have no doubt it
has broken up that mischevous little
coterie of transcendcntal fools of which
Theodore Tilton was the effulgent center. 1t
has exposed to the world the hideOus selfish
ness and essential immortality of those ever
lasting chatterboxes who have been poison
ing the lyceum and the press with al
diotic travesty of philosophy, and dress-
ing I'D lust in the robes of religion
IL it has torn away the vail which
decency draws over certain class of subjects,
it has partly made amends for this Ivy turning
ont of the domestic circle q set of men and
women who would have taught society that
the family is only relic of seryiiudc, and tho
home virtues are the fictions OF superstition.
There il no place for these people any more
in respectable houses. And on the other side
if has perhaps set afoot much needed reform
in Plymouth Church. We shall hear less hence
forth of that horrible Gospel OF Gusb to which so
much of the misery OF this case is directly
traceable. We shall hear less of the rant
about true inwardness, and songs III the heart,
and all the other mushy emotions which with
this new school of lusty mystics usurp the
place of the old-fashIonod virtues of faith,
hope, and charity. 1t will not be esteemed
the essence of religion to love somebody, and
ladies and gentlemen, We hope. will not 90
about kissing one another unfortunately,
either in the paroxysnal or in any
other style. A great reaction agalnso
the old Plymouth pattern of sanctity IL inevi-
table. and we shall not be surprised il Mr..
Beecher himself take the lead in it. He is I'M
doubtedly man of strong feelings, OF warm
fancy, and. in a certain way, OF refined poctl-
cal apprchensions. Wo say nothing OF the
errors into which he may have been led by
these dangerous gifts, but he can see for HIM
self what his poetry has done for a certain set
among the congregation. What is sentiment i'll
the pastor degencmtes into slObber in the par
isbioner; and healthy religious feeling. hon
est, practical, manly life, realization OF the
hard daily duty of the Christian, are too
nearly lost in the misty cOntempations of
loyc-sick devOtees who wrap themselves i'll
the luxury of their own emotions. OF course
we do not mean TO say that this il the char
acteristic Of all Plymouth Church, or even of
the greater part OF it; but that the preacher
has managed to involve himself with little
set of most unwhcesome pictsts it hardly
needed the revelations OF this scandal to prove
and it seems to be good time now for them
either TO come 10 their senses or else step down
and out.
Meantime it is characteristic OF Mr..
Reecber that, in remarkable address
70 his people, delivered last night, he
defined. with some distinctness. his purposes
for the future. They are the purposes OF
an innocent man, much maligncd, who
means, nevertheless, TO do his Masters work,
as he may have opportunity, to the end. Is it
the part of good men - wish him God speed
in this work, or tonpursue him with innuendo
and malignant suggestions Of a Islander which
a six months trial cOnld not Erove7