Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-25
THE BEECHER TRIAL-ADDRESS or
MR.. BEACH.

Mr.. Beach resumed his consideration Of the
"clandestine' letters between Mr.. Beecher and
Mrs. Titon celebrating the argument he had be-
gun from them on Monday afternoon. lie dis
claimed having ever given the definition of adult
terry to "nest-hiding." 1t means, he said, con-
cealment-of something-obviously Of sin. In
Norwood Beecher likens delicate lady conceal
ing her love TO a bird hiding its nest from pryirg
eyes and it was from that figure that Mrs Til
ton probably took the expression. The question
of suicide was then taken up and disposed of by
the reading of numerous suggestive extracts from
Beechers letters and from the evidence of Tilton.
Mr. Beach then passed to Kate Carey's evidence.
and claimed that the attempt to impeach her had
utterly failed. Mr.. Beach followed this up with
the reading of Mr.. Richards description of the
scene in Tilton's house, and claimed the merit of
leniency i'll not pressing from the witness more
direct and eircumstantlal narrative. The testimo-
ny of Mr.. Redpatn was next taken up. MI. Beach
deduced from it a confederation of the theory OF
| the plaintiff. As il the case of his hnctuating
opinions of black-mail the moment Beecher came
under the influence of his two lawyers, and of the
leaders OF Plymouth Church, he was persuaded TO
forego his nober instincts and conserve the inter-
ests of those by whom he was surrounded
| Mr.. Beach then read Mrs. Morse's letter and
Mr.. Beechers answer The next topic was the
letter sent by Tilton through Bowen, demanding
Beechers retirement from the pulpit and Brook
lyn. From Bcecher's conduct on the receipt oil
that letter the speaker educed confession OF
guilt. Going back to the previous arrangement
of the difficulties between Beecher and Bowen,
Mr.. Beach quoted Bowen as subsequently telling
Mr. Howard that there was one matter that was
| not included in the settlement, and that that, if
published would drive Beechcr out Of Brooklyn.
Court then took a recess.
AT 2 is Mr.. Beach resumed his argument. lie
said that when Wilkeson says that Tilton threat
ened to publish, on account Of the non payment of
the 81 000 he was clearly mistaken, because the
arbitration had then been agreed upon and was
consummated the same evening. DIR. Eggleston s
testimony was utterly valueless If Bessie Tur-
ners entire relation be true, counsel said it sup
ported the main allegation Of the plaintiff. MIR.
Beecher's testimony alone remained. To meet
this issue there alternative for him but de-
NAL. Was il possible that Henry Ward Beecher
committed naked perjury That was the difficult
ty that presented itself to the minds of some of
the jury. That he has done it in form and seem
ing is Just as certain, said Mr.. Beach, as the force
Of human evidence. The issue cannot be avoided.
Otherwise these witnesses must be conYicted-not
of simple denial but of deliberate, inventive per-
jury. Mr.. Beach said that he had found to his
astonshment in the writings of the philosophers of
highest repute of all denominations the casuistic
theory that lie is not sinful if nnocuous and de-
signed to prevent an injury, and that there are
circumstances where it becomes a mans impera-
tive duty to lie. Mr.. Beach quoted extensively in
support OF his startling assertion. " Perjury for
good reasons is, with advanced thinkers, no sin.
That was written said Mr.. Beach, "in Novem-
Der, 1872, by Rev Thomas X. Bcecher, Mr..
Beecher's brother
After citing Judge Van Worst to the effect that
man capable of committing such oiiense
would be quite likely to deny it, Mr. Beach pro-
ceeded to demolish Mr.. Beecher's claim to ortho-
doxy. From the defendants sermons he quoted
numerous extracts in which Mr. Beecher distinct
ly lepudates the divinity of Christ, the inspra-
ton Of the Bible, the atonement land consequent
ly, said Mr.. Reach, original sin, Christ's life on
earth, His death, His resurrection and His asser-
t,on,) the divine foundation of the Church, or OF
the Lords Supper. the necessity OF baptism, that
more virtue is required in minister than law
yer or an engineer, and the sacredness of the
Sabbath.
1t being O5 o'clock, az adjournment was tax
en- until this morning.