The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-06-24
The Prosecution Takes a Turn.

The Prosecution Takes a Turn.
Extract from Beach's Speech Of THURSDAY, |
June 10.
But let us come to a few more definite
and explicit instances of this falilDlllty OF
human nature, as it exists IN the pulpit |
and among religionists.
The Rev. Joy H. Fairchild, leading
Conversational pastor in Boston, after |
honorable service in the pulpit for many |
wears. became involved in some difficulties |
With his congregation in consequence of
his intercourse with his female communi-
cants. He left Boston and was settled
at Exeter, probably in consequence of
these rumors, and which followed him to
that place. He was accused of seduction,
and on trial before council letter was
read TO the council in which
Mr.. Fairchild admitted that he
had bound the girl by solemn
oath to deny th,t she ever knew him.
The council was inclined and did give Mr.
Fairchild the benefit of the doubt, and ne
was not convicted. He afterward at
tempted to preach in Boston, but met
with no success, was there openly charg-
ed by a paper with the crime. the otfense
of adultery. and he brought an acton OF
libel against the publisher, and was de-
feated. OF full trial of all the circum'
stances, upon a justification OF the al
legged libel, and upon the proofs, with
some additions, substantially which were
presented to the council Of his brethren,
and who, as the report says, gave him the
benefit of their doubts.
The Rev. DR.. Fay, who was pastor OF
the first church in Charlestown, near
Boston, and whom, the gentleman who
gives me these minutes states, stood as
eminent and as popular in Boston as DR..
Storr in Brooklyn-that Mr.. Beecher
never stood higher in the estimation Of
his devoted adherents in this city than
did this gentleman in his pastorate. At
ter settlement Of 25 years, attended
with great popularity and with great eff
cacy in the effect of his preaching rumors
of adultery and forEication began to cir
culate, and he denied the charge, and took
an oath that he was innocent. He was
arraigned and put on trial, and he was so
beloved and SO popular, the case
at the time attracted such intense inter
est, that all the prominent citizens OF all
the professions became involved IN the
examination It the attorney general OF the
State, all the dignitaries of the State.
The trial was protracted long, but no
proof Of the direct act was adduccd, no
proof of any confession. The evidence
depended entirely upon rumors and
slight circumstances, ana it was thought
insufficient to justify verdict
Of guilty; and a committee was appointed
to bring in the result Of the determine
ton Of the church judicatory, and this
committee, through their clerk, who was
q friend to Mr.. Fay, sent message to
Mr.. Fay, with the direct in
formation that the judgment was to be
favorable to him; and the committee de-
termined to recommend verdict OF ac-
,quittal. and they did SO; but in their re-
port, and in the judgment which they
recommended for adoption, it was statec
that the court had examined all the ru
mors and charges. Well, there were con
scienticus men upon the tribunal, anc
one of them says, Il cannot sign that re
port. All the rumors and charges made
against the accused have not been exam
ined," and he named one. "Let US maxi
= clear case" said another. "Let us ad
iourn and have this specification exam
ined and looked to, and then W
can conscientiously sign this pro
posed result" Well, Mr.. Fay wa
then notified Of the new turn which tn
thing had taken, and he sent for tn
clerk and told him to inform the brett
rem not to adjourn. that he had commu
nication t. make. and in fifteen minute
he sent for the clerk again and handed t
him a written and o full confession Of tn
charge tn was made against him. Th
new matter, it turned out, which D.
Hooker, who dissented from signing tn
report first brought in by tt
committee, would have di
closed, exposed not onl
his turpitude, but woul
have exposed him to
criminal indictment; and he had hear
the declaration Of the Attorney Gcner
of the State that if the evidence justifit
it, before the church judicatory, he wou
see that he was indicted by the Stat
And upon that confession, under the
circumstances, this eminent divine, just
celebrated and Beloved repeat agai
As popular and cherished as Henry Wa
DceCueT, AuO tutaeAoh, f'AoA w NAA~
circumstances, stainless, and who n
taken oath to his innocence.upon his o'
confession. afterward rendered und
these circumstances, was deposed fro
the ministry.
The Rev. Mr.. Starsburg, who was S
tled-he may be within the recollecti
Of NV learned brother-who was settl
over the First Presbyterian church
Albany, with large congregation of
influential and the eminent n
connected with the State COVE
ment of that city; he was S
to be a genius, an able and an
quent preacher. apparently exemplary
all the relations Of life, and i. is said
nv informant that he led the congre
tons and the public sentiment, to ad
the language of my informant.
Beecher and Talmage lead the sentlm
and the emotions Off Brooklyn audiene
Well. he was accused Of debauchery,
herding with negroes, in the indulgene