The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-28
1.-THE BROOKLYN SCANDAL.
What the Trial Has So Far
Revealed.
A STRANGE STATE OF SOCIETY
The Characteristics of the Plaintiff
and Defendant.


thirteenth week. For three long mont tbs this case
has occupied public attention and afforded a
SPECTACLE not only amazing in It's developments or
human character and thought but full OF sur
prises 10 the mode OF life and personal habits OF
the principal actors. The painun and The de-
PENDANT, the witnesses on either side and many
people who have been accidentally drawn into the
case have already been placed IN lights that are
wonderful In their aspects. Before the trial be-
gan an air OF mystery hung over the scandal and
the public was led TO expect remarkable develop.
ments. The developments that have been made
are remarkable enough, but not in the direction
anticipated. Most people supposed that the
plaintiff would bring forward evidence
that would prove the guilt OF the
defendant or else he would fail and
lose his case. Instead OF that. the evidence
Tor the prosecution has been Indefinite and
rambling. But 1t had one result. IL placed the
defendant in most peculiar position for a minis
ter OF the Gospel. The testimony offered against
him shows that Mr.. Beecher was not by any means
the strong minded, clear headed man We would
expect to iud In teacher Of divine truths ana
lessons. Instead OF being valiant shepherd
ready in the hour OF trial and difficulty TO fight
Tor his dock and himself, he appears TO have been
easily frightened and anxious TO tempOriZe. When
threatened by his enemies he failed to stand up
lar circumstances. The defence claims that he is
the victim OF a conspiracy; and, taking that view
OF the question, it is unfortunate that the
defendant did not seek the aid OF his
church officers and repel the attack. Instead OF
this he temporiZed, procras tinated, and. having
taken false step, found 1t easier 10 continue
run down nil than attempt 10 climb up again. 1t
Is not within the scope of this article to discuss
the question which the jury must some day next
summer take into their hands. The result OF the
trial now in progress remains with the future.
But 1t Is interesting 20 review the Developments
being made from DAY 10 day regarding the life
that must exist in the community out OF which
this bideous scandal has sprung.
Now as to the defendant. The testimony given
by the witnesses on botn sides has greatly shaken
the popular idea regarding Mr.. Beecner. Before
the scandal was hiLted abroad and even up TO the
opening OF the trial he was believed by many 10
be a man OF sense and discernment. For many
years he had sought to teach ana advise
bis fellow men on both religious and
secular topics and while doing so assumed
to be. by force OF character and long study,
peculiarly fitted for the task or his life. In the
pulpit. the lecture platform and in che columns
OF secular, literary and religious journals, he had
Instructed mankind on diverse subjects. Doing this
With great success and consummate ability Mr..
BeeCner became q letueT among thinkers, ana Ills
utterances were considered valuable and instruc-
tive Yet, If we are to believe the testimony he
was unable 10 put into practice many OF the lines
OF human conduct laid down by him for the guild
ance OF otner men. Possessed OF a sanguine tenn
permanent he has been shown 10 nave had no
judgment OF character, ana has invariably leaned
upon those who were wholly unified to be his
counseOrs and friends Taking the most chart
table view OF the case. IL appears wonder
Iul that man like Mr. Beecner should
have taken SO many false steps. Judging him
By his labors one would suppose that he would
readily fathom the depth OF character OF those
about MIN, and, finding himself in ialse position,
have by decisive movement thrown of the lase
friends and real enemies by whom he was sur
rounded. To do this would have needed nerve
and that Mr.. Beecher seems TO lack in greater
degree than most men of his supposed calibre and
me nOd OF thought or study. Indeed, 10 is this
lack OF nerve and courage that has paced
The pastor OF Plymouth church In bis present
predlcament and, no matter what resu may be
attained by the suit, the fact that he does so lack
nerve VIII greatly injure him as pubic teacher.
But the trial has SHOWN Mr.. Beecher TO be a man
wholly without sterling common sense, Tor we
fnd that he does not possess that tnutiye caution
80 common among men. Even the simple rules OF
life we're overlooked. He formed abnormal friend
ships, and, having contracted them, was unable 20
sever them. II we are 20 believe mis- counsel he
patronized the plaintiff and helped him to make a
path In life that was honorable and important
yet when Tilton turned against him MIR. Beecher
failed TO assert his rights and discard the protege
he had Iostered Instead OF cutting the tangle
by which he was surrounded by few vigorous
cuts vi the weapons IN his hands, and so released
himself, he seems 70 nave done his best 10 tighten
the knots and multiply the strands yet lying loose
and untouched A more painful spectacle than
thus cannot be imagined, and IS another proof
that real life is far stronger than any nc-
ton Taxing the theory or conspiracy as the
true one 1t Is smazing maj a, man In
once defy the conspirat0,s and maintain bold
front In failing 70 90 tgis, Mr.. Beecher
armed his enemies and betrayed the weak points
IN MS own nUmOr In me light OF these develop
ments the average reader must coincide with Mr..
Beecher's own estimate o. himself, for he has not
hestated TO call himself an ASS and fool In
fact, this estimate Is the solitary Dit OF evidence
wepossess that the defendant mas any perception
ana knowledge OF human nature. without these
utterances he would be considered bigger IDOL
than perhaps he really is.
The plaintiff on the other hand, fs placed in an
equally unenviable position by the revelations OF
this trial Vain, and having a false idea OF his
own power and standing he appears to be a man
without any earnest conviction ana OF very SUI
per1cia character. ChangeaDle 10 disposition,
be turned from the truths OF life TO pur-
sue shadows that led him into dark
places and hidden dangers. Or no fixed
bee as 10 the future, ne dallied with atheism and
affected 20 believe in doctrines which, II permit
the millennium we all look forward 20 az the acme
OF religion. He seems TO have held extremely
loose opinions regarding the great truths and es-
taDsisned rules OF Christian life. Hail Mormon,
hair infdel, he was likewise inclined 10 COM
munlsm ana the sO-caed rights OF mankind which
IN reality are rights at 81. One thing Is very
certain, the plaintiff must have llyed peculiarly
false lie, In public ne was great moral writer,
IuIl OF wise sayings and sage ADVICE, while In prt-
waite he was very weak man, who was too Ond
OF doing things which, II not positively wicked In
religious point OF view, at
least silly ana wholly foreign 20 his
public utterances. The evidence gwen by his
friend ana by himself established TINS fact, and 1t
rs naturally more strongly proven by the wit
nesses for the defence. TAKE, for instance, the
scandal ITSELF II we are 70 believe the statements
made ny the witnesses on his side he first iorgave
tue injury done him, and at the time acted in
a manner that would embarrass nm II ever he
should repent or his forgiveness. And wnIe for
giving, as Is claimed 10y the prosecution, he
Dlabbed OF his sorrow and trouble 10 people who
would as common sense should have taught MIN,
naturally repeat the story and nufy his forgive
ness and make IL mockery. viewed In any as
no m most unpuvaDle