Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-08-11
THE SWEETWATER SCANDAL
The other side Of the case.
SwEErwATER, TENN, July 81, 1876

Springs ScandaD accompanied by n let
ter from Senex, which contains sever
al statements, but very few facts, ere
! proceeding to make any charges, the
! following singular and startling SEN
| teuce presents itself. " Little did they
suppose that he (Chrisman) was an
advocate Of the detestible doctrine OF
Beecherism, which seems to be effect
ing the ministerial fraternity through
OUT the land" Here SeneX unprov-
voked, makes a sweeping charge OF
| incoutinence against the clerical d" fra
ternityn of America, exhibiting an
utter contempt for religion, 10y grossly
attacking the entire body of divines,
and indirectly accusing them as "a
class, as wanting in virtue, and
therefore, undeserving of the confi-
dence aud respect of all the people,
As lover of justice, member of a
! Christian church, and supporter of,
and believer in the chastity and relig-
ion of the honorable body of men, l
hurl back as false, the infamous charge,
and denOunce the attack as cowardly
in its nature, false in its premises, I'M
manly in its design, and assassin-like
in its character. If Mr.. Chrisman, or
any other minister, is guilty, prove
them so, but in the name of Justice do
not calumniate the clergy as a body.
The name "Seuex implies silver
hairs, judgement, mature thought and
reason. Surely then he has reflected
but little before making so gross and
sweeping a charge. But to the unfold
ing of the letter. 1t says, ON the ar
rival of the eastern bound train, Mr..
Chrisman got OF the cars and at once
repaired to the residence of Mrs. Tuck
er. The purpose of his visit is yet un-
known, aud he only remained until
the coming Gown Of the western train.'
This seems plausible statement, but
it is not true. Mr.. G. got Off the
eastern train at DPS, and came to the
store of Hight q Scruggs, asked for
MAJOR Hight, wentinto the Drug store,
then to the residence OF Mrs. Tucker
and staid one hour and eleven minutes,
neither more nor less. So much for
this Misrepresentation.
Again, SeneX says, "while here he
did not visit any of his flock, except
Mrs. Tucker" Let US set SeneX right
again. He went to the office of Mr..
Woodward, and from there to the res
idence of Mr.. A. Chance, who is an
Elder of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church in this place. He remained
there long while, ate his dinner, and
repaired to the depot, and there stayed
until he stepped into the cars.
Again, the venerable SeneX asserts
that some of the members are inclin-
ed TO think that they are innocent,
while the majority believe that they
are guilty of great mprudencies, if not
of criminality." A majority, and
very large one, to my certain knowl-
edge, believe no such thing, and will
never denounce them as guilty until
proved to be so. A mere circumstance
is not evidence, and charge direct or
indirect is not proof.
But again, he says, There has not
been any action by the church, look
ing to an investigation of the affair."
Another mistake. Steps have been
taken to have the matter thoroughly
examined into by an ecclesiastical
court of competent jurisdiction. L as
sure SeneX that there is as little dispo-
sition among the members of this
church to suppress, conceal, or varnish
over any disreputable act, as there is
to give credence to all the vile, low,
and diabolical ISLANDERS that fill the
land. So much for the communica-
ton of this antediluvian fossil.
Now, if you will permit me, l
will give brief history of
the case, setting forth the
facts, and detailing the circumstances
that originated the nwarrantable and
malignant SANDER. Mr.. Crisman and
Mrs. Tucker were at LEAFS Springs,
boarding at the same hotel. On two
occasions they walked out together;
once in company with another lady,
and the second time alone, in the pub
lie road. Very criminal this, indeed.
On the afternoon of the 18th of July
a violent storm, accompanied with
much electricity, passed over that Sec
ton of county. Its effects could not
be seer. from the ladies' rooms on the
opposite side of the passage. Mrs.
Tucker, feeling some alarm, and de-
string To witness the electrical display
of the elements, went into Mr.. Girls
mans room, the door of which stood
open. And while she was standing at
the window gust of wind slammed
the door shut. Just at this moment a
lady came to the door and asked Mr..
G. for some matches. He gave them
to her, and Mrs. Tucker accompanied
her from the room. This is the SLAM
der complete. Now l ask any virtu-
Gus mind if there is in this the slight
est cTiminality?
The country is in fearful situation,
if every couple, married or single,
who walk, ride or sit together in a
room alone are to have their charac-
tiers assailed, their virtue suspected,
and their names published for the sport
and derision of the needless multitude
whose prurient maws are never so well
satisfied as when digestiDg the latest
scandal.
The situation is truly critical, for
no man, woman, youth or maiden are
safe. For SANDER has more eyes than
Argus, more tongues than Briareus
had hands, more energy than Sissy
plus, more venom than the viper, and
more villainy than Satan. It's
attacks are more cruel than
death, aud mole relentless
than the grave; for one grapples
with you face to face no hidden weap-
ons no masked designs. Its banners