The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-04-08
A VIGOROUS DEFENSE.

A VIGOROUS DEFENSE.
THE CRISIS IN THE GREAT BROOKLYN SCAN
DAL-BEECHER ON THE sTAND-HIs TESTI
MoNY-Is 1T EQUAL TO THE GREAT EMER
GESCY-READ AND DETERMINE.
It is generally admitted that thu
trial now dragging its slow length along
through the Brooklyn court and scandaliz
ing the world, is the greatest of modern
times, if not of the history of the world
This being the case, the newspapers respond
to the public demand for the particulars, moi
only in the publication of the testimony
taken and the arguments of the lawyers, but
also In presenting pictures of the partici
pants, The Sentinel has done its full share
of this, and now submits the following from
the special telegram TO the Cincinnati Com
mercial: OF the first days proceedings,
when Beecher took the stand in his own de.
Tense, the special says: AT last Beecber, ef-
ter three months Of testimony against him
and for him, after listening TO the
opening invective of Morris, in
January, and the defensive open
ing by Tracy in February, and the number
less arguments that have interveneJ; after
seeking some forty or fifty witnesses, OF both
sexes and two colors, and every variety OF
personal character, take the stand; after
having been tOrmeBtsd in numberless ways,
Beecher himself, the famous defendant in
this extraordinary suit for adultery, took the
witness stand this morning to give evidence
in his own behalf-such evidence as he ONLY
can give-evidence by which he will either
stand or fall, in this court, and in the iudg-
ment of mankind, and
BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL OF HISTORY.
The crime with which he is charged is of the
most infamous kind, and his defense must
be complete. The alleged circumstances of
1t were peculiarly wicked and the basis
which those q ~
must be utterly destroy ed. Other witnesses
have testified to TiltOn's unveracity, immo-
rallty, marital cruelty and pecuniary machi-
nations: but Beecher must furnish a demon
stratlon OF his Own innocence in the matte:
concerning which he is accused. Such is the
work set for him, which he has to-day nm
dertaken. Before skeIching the proceedings
Will stop at the threshold long enough 10
say thai the part of Beecher's evidence given
20 day was not sensational or Overwhelnl-
ing. being merely preliminary to promised
developments. But. nevertheless, just be-
fore closing court the key note of the de-
tense was struck in the introduction of
Beecher's letter of December, 1870, advising
Mrs. Tilton's separation from her husband,
the letter through which his counsel
expect to begin the building up Of
an explanation of those remorseful dOcu-
ments, written or dictated by Beecher, which
are now admitted by the prosecution to be
the principal evidences against him. The
excitement in Brooklyn over Beecher's ap-
pearance is very great, and the main indus
try here seems 10 be the discussion of the
trial. The crowd around the court house
was but few hundreds stronger, though in
the course of the day thousands make brief
visits to its vicinity to learn the latest items
of news which float out in one way or an
other. 1t was quite evident, long before the
hour of opening court, that this was to DO
THE GREAT DAY OF THE TRIAL.
At ten O'Clock all the seats were occupied by
people as illustrious as ourselves. The news
paper tables were lined with the leading
writers of the different journals, and ali
around we saw the familiar faces OF men
foremost in various lines. Just at III Beecher,
accompanied by his wife, his daughter,
and a small group of friends, entered court,
closely followed by Tilton and his counsel.
As he walked forward TO his usual place In
court, smiling and saluting or chatting With
people. he looked in the highest state
of health, strength and placidity, but his
corpse. looking wife tottered as though it re-
auired all her powers to do 30. Beecher,
who was the cynosure OF all eyes, occupied
for some five minutes his ordinary seat in
the midst of about twenty members OF his
family-brotheTs and sisters, sons and
daughters, besides relatives by marriage.
His lawyers gathered around him, and were
talking with him amid the noisy gable of
the place when the clerk hammered for
silence Moderated the names of jurors and
Evarts rose to call Bescher. As soon as he
had let the chair, MIR. EVarts turned to the
plaintiff: EIr. Beecher, will; you take the
stand" Mr.. Beecher rose from mis-
place beside his wife and family and began
TO make his way round the usual passage
taken by the witnesses, but TiltOn's counsel
rose and allowed him to advance directly TO
the stand which was in front of him. The
color left his face which turned to plllor as
- .Ir xnyTfh tour m O.
an overcOat above his black suit, and carry
ing bis SLOUGH hat in his hand. He mounted
the steps, and as the clerk began to
read the usual oath, while an officer held out
the Bible Beecher raised his right hand as
in affirmation. Mr.. Beach Immediately ex-
claimed, zone moment; I object TO this
form OF oath unless Mr.. Beecher shall de-
clare that he has conscientious
sCRUPLEs AGAINST SWEARING
upon the Scriptures" "I have" replied
Beecher, in his resonant and melif1ous
tone. 81 have conscientious scruples
against swearing on the Bible" he was
then permitted to take the oath with up
lifted hand, in the presence of the ever-llv-
ing God. The examination was conducted
by EvaIts, and we saw the most eloquent
American preacher, seated on the witness
chair, giving evidence to the most brill
liant American lawyer, who stands up
few feet away from him. Tilton and MOul-
ton sat near Beecher's feet, gazing up in
tently into his face. The first questions re-
lated to his birth, parentage, and such mat
tiers, and were answered as concisely as
possible. When Beecher's voice was first
heard, as he began 10 testify from the wit
ness chair, the mem bers of the Beecher fam
ily were overcome with emotion. His old
wife's face alone was firm, and her features
fixed, but his daughters eyes were filled
with tears, and so were those of
his two bearded sons; and so
were those of his ancient sister,
Catherine; and so were those OF bis patri-
arehaI brother, Edward; and so were those
of his sOn-in-law and his daugLter-in- law;
and so were those of many OF his Plymouth
Church friends, as they gszed upon Henry
Ward Beecher in that place. There was
really an agonized expression in the faces OF
some of them at tho spectacle they then be-
held Beecher's thorough preparation for