The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-01
The Troubles OF Men OF Genius.


The wide sweep of the investigation opened
by the Beecher trial in Brooklyn necessarily
leads US to consider many of the metaphysical
questions that have been brought by 1T into
prominence. The plain issue whether or not
Mr.. Beecher is guilty OF crime has long
since been eliminated from the controversy.
1t is difficult to understand an issue in which
the plaintiff is suing for money which he
does not want, while the defendant is fighting
for reputation he has survived Therefore,
as a mere legal controversy, the Beecher trial
is of only secondary interest There have
been revelations about the operations OF the
law and the value of modern justice, about
the rights of witnesses and the utility Of cross
examination, which must in time be valuable
The most painful development is that under
New York law wife has no rights which
husband is bound to respect when he
becomes plaintiff in an action
for criminal conversation. We had the
hope that the Legislature would accept the
HERALD's idea and pass law enabling Mrs
TiltUn to testify. But this will scarcely be
done 1t is understood--in fact, the avowal
has been made oficially-that if Mr. Beecher
summons Mrs Tilton as O witness Mr.. Tilton
will make no objection. This action on the
part of counsel might solve very important
problem and at the same time give result so
conclusive and satisfactory that there could
be no doubt of ultimate justice. These, how
ever, are the minor phases of the Brooklyn
trial There is a spiritual aspect, in which
it is not without interest We see the inside
life of man of genius, aud in studying the
evidence of witnesses like Bessie Turner we
rights which the public are bound to respect?
Men of genius are supposed to be abnormal,
meteoric, free from the ordinary laws OF bust
ness or society, moody, moony, uncontrol-
liable, with privileges in the way of night
walkings, and sleepings in daytime, and in
the matter of brandy and water, which Gus
tom since Byron's time has consecrated. The
evidence is, however, that Mr.. Tilton, a
man Of genius, could not come into his house
at an unusual hour in the morning from q
midnight moonlight stroll, listening to the
chimes, without receiving letter from his
waiting for his arrival to write him n note.
The irreverence Of modern literature has not
clothed mothers-in-law with attractive quail
ties. And yet how can there be mothers with
out mothers-in-law2 We are frank TO admit
that the spectacle of mother-in-law sitting
morning writing letter to q man of genius,
who has been pacing under the moonlight is
calculated to excite our commseration. A
good deal can be pardoned TO Mr.. Tllton
when we remember that this was among
the crosses of his life. We should
not recommend the superintendent Of any
orthodox Sunday school to become an ally Of
Mrs. Woodruff, for instance, in preaching her
radical doctrines; but even the company Of
Mrs Woodruff would be relief from bur-
den like this. If the defence in the Beecher
trial should ever drift into the direction Of
on the part of Mr.. Tilton We
are confident that this motherin-law evidence
will have a great effect upon the minds Of the
jury.
There is no reason why man of genius
should not hang pictures at any time Of the
night and in the costume most suited to his
fancy. The evidence is that Mr.. Tilton was
in the habit Of spending the nights not given
to moonlight contemplation in arranging
his art treasures. This we have on the word
Of Miss Turner, and it has become matter
of ridicule and reproach, we think, unjustly.
If the result Of this trial should be to or
dain that men Of genius must be as other men,
that they must be governed by the same rude,
harsh rules Of daily life, then what is the use
of genius, and why should we ''have noble
name,' and Of what value are those precious
gifts which on SO many occasions arc permit
ted to justify a way Of life that plain, common
people naturally deplore2