New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-06
The BROOKLYN SCANDAL.
A LETTER FROM MISS CATHARINE E.
BEECHER.

LETTER FROM MISS CATHARlNE Z.
BEECHER.
HER PLEA FOR rHE APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF
COMMON SENSE.
To ths EdttOr Of The Trfbano.
SIR: There is a sure and immediate remedy for
the slander which has alike disgraced Brooklyn,
some of the Congregational papers, and not less
country and humanity. This remedy is the applica-
ton of certain principles of common sense which
regulate the common people in all business affairs
l. The first and chief is that in practical questions
that which has the balance of evidence is TO be
sumed the truth. In this there are two par
ties one of whom is the greatest villain, liar and
perjurer of age. and the question as to which If
the guilty one is to be decided by the balance OF
evidence.
. Established moral character is the highest kind
of evidence and the circulation of accusations con-
trary TO it are Islander unless proved by the balance
of evidence. Whoever then has circulated the accu-
sations of such crimes against the established char
aeter Of either party is slanderer circuator Of
SANDER till the accusations proved by the bal
ance of evidence. In this case the clergyman Is
proved to have "a character of the highest degree for
honor truth, and benevOlence. by the testimony of
his family his school mates, his college mates, his
fellow Theological students his daily associates. and
his three large parishes. The other party has no
such character, but public trial is proved and
confesses 10 lies for purpose. The balance OF the
evidence of character is for the clergyman and
/ against the aCcuscr
8. Contradictory assertions by accuser nullify
his testimony In this case the has affirmed
repeatedly the innocence of his wife and also of tho
clergyman accused. This nullifes his accusations.
4. Writings equally capable of two meanings are
10 be interpreted to be consistent with the
character of the writer and his declarations In
this case there are letters writings that under
this rule can DO used rs evidence against the clergy
man.
5. Seif-accusations of crimes, contrary TO estab-
lished character that involve evil and no good, are
proof of temporary insanity or monomania.
8. The ordinary customs OF a family or a COM
munity are 70 regulate decisions In the earliest
Christian churches the direction Salute ono
another with d holy kiss WA obcyed without
reference to sex. IL ceased when the church in
cluded impure members, but ia preserved In many
pure families If any accusations relate to TINS sub
ject the customs of the time and place must resu-
late che decision.
The remedy for this hdeous outrage on decent 30
ciety can be Immediately remeded by the clergy
and editors especially the editors of religious pa
pers maintaining tbese principles OF common sense IN
the pulpit and by the press For applying these
rules it will he found that practically there Is no
evidence at all to support the accusations against
the clergyman, and that the accuser and ali circu-
latng his accusations are guilty of SANDER
There IA q secondary party whose accusations are
nulhied by the same rule. e., Mr.. MOulton. The
| accusations Of his wife nulhied by sn oitb'
proved before the except two hours and these
two hours y gentleman of Brooklyn aifirms he spent
with the clergyman, and would have 80 testified IN
court had he not been deferred by liability to insults
| experienced by Others appearing Us witnesses
/ In the several articles by me in The tribune my
chief aim has been the defense of my sex from such
/ cruel onsaughts as have overborne the unhappy
! ladies who have been bounded into public nouce as
| guilty of the coarsest and most shameful crimes,
while as yet no suitable penalties have been inflicted
OH their aocusers. 1t is only the maintenance Of
| these principles of common that viii save
daughters sisters. wives and mothers from similar
outrages and it is % matter in which all honorable
men have a personal aud family interest. c. T. II.
| BrOoklHn Dec. a, 1870.