New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-24
THE TILTON-BEECHER TRIAL
A VERDICT AS A DISINFECTANT.

AgalncInnOn saw
Like its curst stock engenders more
he expresses truth which it TO me is especially
applicable to the closing days OF the Ton Beecher trial
After having patiently listened to the mass Of disgusting
testimony introduced theesult affords most striking
confirmation OF the Greek poets sentiment. As we re-
view the and enter upon q careful analysis or It's
edusd casarn It is not enough merely to glance at the
treaehry and depravty which the evidence makes mani
fest nor ourselves with simply determin
ing how far imprudencc and shOrtsightedness
may have opened the door for baseness and hypocrisy to
attempt the destruction Of noble life Unless we realize
and appreciate these facts cannot, Of course form
anything Ike correct judgment either 10 the cum
nngy devised and well concerted schemes OF the prose-
cution the false position in which it is possible TO
place even the purest innocence. By all let Us
realize and thoroughly appreciate this aspect Of the case
II Is indispensable TO proper appreciation OF Mr..
Beecher's conduct and apparently anomalous position
that we should do so, but it is by no means all that
enables us TO get either at the truth Of or the conse-
quences likely result from the abyrinhine evidence
which has been introduced There is in which the
mere legal question Of guilty not guilty" becomes in
this case of secondary importance In its highest and
most important bound TO regard in its in
huenees on private and public morality In this respect
we can neither estimate it, Importance too highly
can we deprecate the baseness that las caused 1t too
strongly.
In point Of fact ii the question to Mr. Beeehers
guilt or innocence which the jury will soon be called upon
TO determine. On this point there few women
in the community who have not fully made their minds
nor is it likely that these opinions would be changed not
wthstandng the verdict OF thousand legally impaneed
juries Tie real question is, whether the community
shall be in dsineced from the pestilential
influences OF this scandal through verdict Of acqtta
or whether by divided sentiment the jury shall 80 far
fasify their trust TO permit the prolonged existence OF
those demorazing and debasng conditions, the III effects
Of which We already feel severely In this respect
these twelve men enjoy sacred trust and solemn obga
ton such rarely falls TO the lot AS such may
they appreciate their position and by their verdict repu-
date the ancient myth which would have believe that
the beautiful Astr1a has left the earth
That Mr. Beecher has committed many acts OF impru-
dence bound 20 admit but TO argue that mpru-
dence Il necessarily indicative OF guilt Is proposition
too absurd 20 be entertained for moment. Indeed the
very instances Of mental suffering which his enemies
quote so trumphanty against him are in themselves the
strongest evidence of his innocence. They perfectly
consistent with and exDainabe on the theory OF noble
soufuGerng intensely from the contemplation Of ship
wrecked home and happiness which he believed he had
been innOceny Instrumental IN causing They totally
Inconsistent with ana uneZpainaDie on the theory OF
guilty spirit brOOdDg over the preparation or revolt
Ing crime There is not single passage in any Of his
letters at suggcs- that ba-eness OF spirit which alone
could have ruessiy ranpled those sacred ass"ca-
ions which endearoi min 10 The woman whose sorrows
aud uslge have placed him in his present unfortunate
position. Mr. Beechers letters do indeed indicate state
Of mental depression which minds OF ordinary and orid
tendencies are very apt falsely 10 regard as synonymous
with guilt but this il due 10 those Laws OF human Thought
which render our opinions so largely the expression OF
our characters. We cannot measure uncommon minds
by standards and the moods OF the pastor OF
plymouth Church are no exception 70 this general rule
There hopes, fears, Joys sorrows. and
deep emotional experiences peculiar 10 Agny intellectual
and spiritual narres. which meaner spirits IN their
grOvclng existence and narrow views Of human Life,
krOw nothing Of. IL II simple statement ~ the truth 10
saw that Mr. leechcr Suffers greatly this
between The superior and inferior specimens OF manhood
this gi which separates the broad ana generous
souls who live in the constant presence Of beautiful
!
humanity who rarely If ever experience noble impulse
above ;tLc dust and mlre Of merely animal cx-
lsence Gearing facts therefore in mind and
men.berin- also that the conditions ana nerence ARE
and imaginary surely We need not marcel that
the preacher who has done more than any man on inns
continent advance the higher ntercstsof humanity
should tremble emotion and shed tears OF sor-
over combination OF circumstances IN when ne sa"
a santlike placed through her religious enthri-
sasm and need Of sympathy IN position vi apparent
guilt .,, , a.. ..
OF her Split. Mrs. ICn simply I'D what many OF tile
and -res; in all ages have done before her
she needed consolation and support, ana she went In
obedience TO her womany instincts and strict Of
propriety to the best and nobest soul she Knew Tha
reserve, and bid her Dear her suffering aone Is All the
10 Ais credit man ana Christian minister II
he had pursued a course OF "ma,terly inactivity" il
would undoubtedly have been worldly wisdom, nut IL
certainly would not have been Christianity IL Is posi-
a indifference or Oldhfartetncss on
MS part might prevented the whole ~ this disgust
M scandal put alter making every allowance on the
ground expcdiency, IL is questionable whether
after all we not gamers thIonG me hoble seiaDAe
CATION which hss characterized Mr. beeeheTs condGct
Throughout this unfortunate business. Believing
DO IN the strucbty OF truth and the superiority OF
virtue the and anous schemes oi vice. We
think there Will yet time when society, having
O-tTacscd the guilty cOnspfatOrS VIII Willingly AMI
e1ectna.y 1--WE uutdrnsLed 20 tile pastor or Plymouth
Church tie good which lie mas nObly earned at
repairing ira measure the injury when
depravei husband has inflicted on long suffering ana
virtuOus WIFE. Milton beautifully expresses II IN us
COlIls:
dear 10 heaven is sanity chastity,
That - lei a soul h found sincerely IN,
A thousand ..yerod angels aekty ntr,,
Driving fIf on each t.lfg Of slu ann quit,
And IN clear dream and sol, mn VISION
Teal her II things near
Til oft with heavenly hlptants
Benin ~ east "a beam the outward shape,
The uupuluira ten. .lr ~ the mind,
turns 10 by degrees N the souls essence
Til All Dc made IMMORTAL
In view ~ all the facts, IL IL by no means an mproba-
hity that be the final verdict AS 10 Mrs Iltons
position del lorable II may be IN the power
OF guilty. cunsprOrs to OversladOv temporarily the
brightness nt Mr. Brecners n1me but just ~ surely rs
the OF right constitutes the central principle
OF the world. may safely leave the good deeds
OF fe 10 furnish their own evidence against the
uufoundrd cha yes disgusting scandal. =. c. H.
BT0oh!yn, May Il, 1870.
IRREGULARITIES OF BROOKLYN ETHICS.
A FEW POINTS AGAINST EMOTIONAL REIIGION-NR.
BRECHER's ANOMALOUS CONDUCT.
To the Editor or The Tribune.
SIR: VIII you, in the columns OF your paper,
permit me-a plain country woman. unable to colnpre-