Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-07-07

The great Tilton- Beecher trial is
once through--the jury has been die
charged, being unable to agree. They
stood nine for Beecher and three for
Tilton. This we regard as virtual
triumph for the defendant. Three
fourths OF the jury decide that there
is no cause OF action. Doubtless this
ends the case. 1t is questionable,
with the publicity given to the case.
and the trial of it, by the newspapers
ofthe country before the public, with
all the bitterness and misrepresenta-
ton evinced, whether there could DO,
in dozen trials, a jury impanneled
that could agree upon verdict, unless
far better evidence be adduced. Time
alone. with its possible Developments.
can put at rest with all people
the vital issue in the case. So far as
the tria! is anything,i 1T ia in favor of the
accused, and the prosecuting party
atands defeated. For ourselves we
say that there has been sufficient dis
closed in the trial of the case, to point
| ont many weak points in the character
of Mr.. Beecher-there is much that Is
not creditahle to him, but still. know.
ing the gnahing nature of the man, we
simply ascribc these things to his
weakncss-there was hardly ever
man of decided genius. but had
strongly defined weak points. We
arc. however. bound to believe, since
the proof does not come near estab-
fishing to the contrary. that he is in.
nocent of tho offence charged or any.
thing approximating it.
We do not believe that there is an
eminent man living to-day, who, If his
life were sifted in trial such az the
one just closed, would come ont OF
such a test without the impairment
of his character, in the eyes of the pub
lie. We have all along believed and
we still believe, taking the confessed
character opinions, habits and ascot
atoms of Tilton and Moulton, that
they arc and have been for years free
lovers, immoral men, in principle and
practice, and that they have sought TO
further their cause and make them.
selves and their doctrines notorious
by dragging down to their level the
most prominent Divine in this
country. Beecher's early acquaintance
with and warm attachment to Tilton
and his family, led him to hope for
and labor in Tilton's behalf, long after
the latter did not deserve it, and by this
means the ensnaring of Beecher was
was accomplished in net work of cir.
cumstances, out of which has grown
all this scandal, under the skillful
manipulations of Tilton and Moulton.
They tried sseiduously to bring Beech
er with themselves in association
| with Victoria Woodruff, and failed.
Tilton wrote her biography in such
sickly flattering terms that it forever
stamped him as devil incarnate in
regard to public morals. He further
associated with her on intimate terms,
and according to her statement with
lecherous familiarity. Moulton sends
his own wife to this Jezebel to invite
and bring her to their house, there to
meet in convivial friendly intercourse
hat woman whose publicly avowed
doctrine is, that if (Moulton) and her
self think they observe affinity be-
tween them, they have the right to
l forsakc aN other legaA or moral cOnneo'
tons and follow that affinity. Thu.
woman Monlton sends his own wife tG
wait upon her into the family circle Of
that wife. They strive to have Beech
err appear in public and introduce hel
holding over him the terror of making
public the net work of circumstance
they had been weaving to entrap him
Beecher declined, and finally the traT
was sprung. The trial has disclosed
no definite evidence Of guilt-the par.
ties most deeply concerned solemnly
deny the charge. We have no other
way open to us, but to say they arc in
nocent under such circumstances, es-
pecially considering the source from
which tho charge is made, and sought
to be sustained.