The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-03
OHIO.

Your correspondent has succeeded in obtain
ing the views Of many cleggymen and lawyers as
to the guilt OF innocence OF Mr.. Beecher. 1t is to
be remarked at the outset that the Episcopal
clergy are very reticent In speaking OF Mr.
Beecher's case, the Presbyterian clergy
are almost unanimous in believing Beecher
guilty, the MeIho1sts believe him inno-
cent and the other denominations are more or
less divided on the question. Rev. Mr.. CantweIl,
editor of tho star in the West the Uniyersalists
organ, is an original believer In Mr.. Beecher's
guilt. Rev. Isaac Errett editor OF the Christian
standard believes him innocent; so does the Rev.
DR.. Hoyt, editor OF the Western Christian Aduo
cate the Methodist Episcopal organ, and so does
Rabbi Isaac WISE editor Of the Israette, the Jew
sh organ With these preliminary statements
dip at once into the subject, commencing vita
the D. D.'s
THE CLERGY.
Rev. Or. q. B. Boynton, pastor OF the Vine street
Congregational church aud formerly Chaplain in
Congress, said My opinion OF MIR. Beecher's
guilt is based upon lis letter OF con rltion and
upon his conduct aud that OF Mrs. TIton at the
time the scandal was first maze puoic.
Rev. Mr.. Hobbs OF the Richmond street Chris
tian church, sald:- 81 cannot bring myself to be-
leve that Mr.. Beecher is guilty. did not think
he was guilty when the first publication OF tile
scandal was made, and have seen nothing yet TO
4
fail to see in the testimony any tangible evidence
OF his guilt / think he mas been very foolish"
Rev. c. a. Payne, d. d., is the pastor or 81.
Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, OF this city,
the largest and perhaps the mosr influential
Methodist congregation in this section Of the
country. lie said: 81 can't believe that Beecher
Is guilty OF adultery though ne has certainly been
guilty OF great improperly OF conduct"
Rev. A. 3. Morey pastor or the Ptth Presby-
terrain church, Is known TO nave believed Mr..
Beecher to be guilty, and to have so expressed
himself He has been reading the arguments OF
Porter and Evarts with great care, and has been
very much impressed by Mr.. Evarts' argument,
80 much so, indeed, that he has about changed
his mind.
Rev. DR.. skinner, pastor OF the Second Presby.
terrain cnurcn, Is a positively pronounced believer
in Beecher's guilt; was so at the outset and re-
mans unchanged, and. from all l could obtain
from him, is Interchangeable now.
Rev. Eoen Haley pastor Of the Seventh street
Congregational church, said :-'I was very much
afraid for a time, but am now pretty well con-
WINGED that Sir. Beecher is innocent"
Rev. d. Fl. Moore, pastor OF Trinity Methodist
Episcopal church. and recently appointed to the
| Presidency OF the Wesleyan Female College. says
ne hasn't paid much attention TO the Beecher
trial. and Is a little doubtful about It, yet he said -
must confess that am staggered a little, but
stln think that Mr. Beechor may be innocent"
Tue LAWYERS.
/ Judge p. q. swing, OF the United states Court
appointed by President Grant after the reslgna-
ton OF Judge H. II. LeayItt, believes that Beecher
! Is Innocent. He said, al could not cony Wet man
/ OF any charge upon sucn testimony"
| Mr.. Henry stansbery who became prominent
! during Andy Jonnsons Administrator, not only
/ as Attorney General, but as the defender Of MIR
! Johnson during his great Impeachment trial, DO.
lieves In Beecher's guilt lie argues that the step
from religious rhapsody to tae ecstasy OF love Is
very natural and easy one, ana looks upon camp
meetings as very demoralizing on this account
Mr.. Warren NJ. Bateman, United states District
Attorney OF this city, is nrm believer in the In.
nocence OF Mr.. Beecher. lie snys:--'I believe
him innocent OF the charge after a careful review
OF the testimony elicted the trial. believe
MS own statement, aud / DO not Tor a moment
question the truth OF his oath Of deulal.n
ExJudge M. y. Hagans OF the Superior Court,
Is also a believer in Mr.. Beecher's Innocence. lie
says ne thinks Beecher innocent "because there
Is nothing In the testimony TO sustain the charge
| OF guilt, absolutely nothing, ans there Is every
thing in the lie OF the man 20 give It the ie."
Major r.. 5. Bond ex-United states Assistant
District Attorney, said :'l can't see exactly That
Mr. Beecher Is guilty; but coniound IL all ne has
acted she fool somehow"
air. George r. sage, sQnin-Iaw Of the famous