The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-17
, The Beecher Case.


trial remind US Of roses and forget-me-nots
planted over grave. Their purity strangely
contrasts with the corruption they are in
tended to conceal. The Beecher case has not
an odor which pleases. but rather resembles
the heavy perfume of those blossoms which
poison the over-burdened air. If flowers
should be sent to the principals in this pain
full affair they should be rosemary for remem-
brance, and pansies for thought and rue for
all, even if they may call it "herb Of grace
o'Sundays," and though, as Ophelia said,
they "may wear it with a difference" The
Beecher case is planted in our American
society like the tabled Upas tree F.; its contagion
is spread upon the air and contaminates all
who are compelled to breathe it.
Judge Nelson very properly requested the
press to abstain from comments on the Beecher
case during its trial, and we have no desire to
enter into its merits at present. The jury,
which has the responsibility, should be left
to determine upon the facts without the
danger of outside influence Yet, though
the proprety of the request Of the Court is to
be conceded, the public must feel and tho
press reflect, profound interest in the pro-
ceedings. No judicial order can make this
case mere legal abstraction, as if its events
had happened in the moon. The people in
volved in it are well-known to our public and
religion and society are inextricably entangled
in its results. No other trial of tho kind COM
pares with it in Importance and dramatic
effect. The recent case in England of Lady
Mordaunt concerned q noble lunatic and q
royal rake, and only the veneer of aristocracy
hid the inherent vulgarity. The Forrest trial
derived its interest from the celebrity of
Edwin Forrest as an actor, but in all other
respects was o mere matter for the police
courts. There was no such moral issue
embodied in it as there is in the
Beccher case which presents on the one
hand the most famous clergyman in America
accused of the most infamous crimes, and on
the other a man scarcely less distinguished,
who either asks q rightful vindication or seeks
q hearilcss revenge. Then there is q church,
the richest and most powerful in our country,
which has virtually made itself principal in
the trial by Its absolute sympathy with it's
pastor. Society itself is divided on the ques-
ton, and no matter what may be the decision,
pain, bitterness and wrath must be the fruits.
When we consider the tremendous elements Of
the case there is no reason to be surprised at
the Titanic nature of the struggle. 1t is q
fight till death, and no matter who may win
in this case success will be dearly purchased.
We have given this case full report, and
shall continue to do So As the facts cannot
be concealed 1T is but right they should be
disclosed in their nakedness and ugliness
This is a responsibility from which true jour
nalism may shrink, but which it cannot
honestly refuse. While we regret that the
shame and degradation should scatter their
pestilence over society suppression is no
longer possible. Public interests demand the
truth, so far as court can make it known,
and ali that can be hoped is that good may
somehow result from the evil In no case
can the revelation be more injurious to
morality than the blind scandal itself, which,
for moro than four years, worked its way like
a mole underground, but raised above il, on
the surface, the traces Of its own evil and
interminable crawling
ALL WAS QulfI LASi NlohI III new Ut
leans, but the citizens are deeply interested
in the action of Congress. General Merrill
reports Shreveport to be in a disorganized
condition, and as so many people, both in the
South and North, believe him to be part-
san, we would respectfully ask if it would not
be vice in the Presiden. to instrust some more
trusted officer with his duties2
Why THE LOUISIANA REPORT was not sooner
given to Congress is explained by our history
of the attempt to suppress it. This plan hav-