The Portland daily press., 1875-01-26
NEW YORK. Jan. %, 1875.

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 1875.
The way in which the Beecher trial has daw-
died along for three weeks, has sorely vexed
the patience of that great multitude whose
faith in the Plymouth pastor is so undoubting
that they can see no occasion for a resort to le-
gal technicalities to sustain his cause. Moul-
ton has been in the witness box for eight days,
and nothing has been elected during all tn at
time, which throws any new light upon the old
story. There may have been some occult pur-
pose in the tedious verbosity of the cross exam
nation, but it is not disceinible by the non pro-
fessional eye. The chance to make fine dra-
matte point out of the circumstances attending
the confession was not judicously improved.
The conduct of Moulton on that eVentful even
ing furnishes key to his whole character
Pretending to be friend, he acts as an accom-
plice in entrapping and terrifying his victim,
jots down a few impassioned CALCULATIONS, out
of great number that fell from his lips, as he
listens to threats that his name will be associ-
ated with social scandal. That was the su-
preme moment when Mr.. Beecher displayed the
weakness which proved so fruitful of unhappy
consequence during the succeeding four years.
But in extenuatlon of his error, we must bear
in mind that an accusation against clergy
man is sufficient to infict upon him irreparable
injury, no matter whether it be true or false.
He undoubtedly felt keeny that the slightest
hint of improperly on his part would subject
him to widespread detraction. But what pos
sible excuse can be found for the role that
Moulton enacted in that scene? 1t seems to
me that counsel missed great opportunity
in not insisting upon a rehearsal of that per-
formance by Moulton. 1t occupied an hour and
half OF all that Mr. Beecher said the while
only so much is jotted down as could be uttered
in ninety seconds. To this, the reluctant sig
nature is gained, and then it is coolly passed
over to the fellow eonspirator to be used accord
ing to his caprice, sometimes to extort money,
sometimes to crafty revenge Now the cold di-
abolish of that one act constitutes new chap
ter in the record of human depravity, and the
man who could be guilty of it, never should be
permitted to leave the witness stand until his
treachery has been held up to the gaze of court
and jury in all its naked deformity. Then they
can Judge of the credbi.ity of man who ap
pears to be entirely destitute of moral sense.
Long as this trial bids fair to continue, it is
very doubtful whether any new facts will be
developed. Tilton and Moulton will repeat
what they have said so often and so volumin-
ously before. Both of them have asserted Mr..
Beecher's innocence, and proclaimed his guilt
One or the other of these averments must have
been Intentionally false. 1t IS quite as reason
able to suppose the accusation so as the excul-
patton. -.-...
The counsel for plaintiff make no secret OF
their opinion that The important witness in the
case is Mr.. Beecher. They will make every ef-
fort to worry him with an exhaustive cross
questioning. They realIze.that unless they can
break him down their cause is hopeless. But
he is not the sort of person to fail In a critical
emergency. He is greatest on great occasions.
While he was trying to preserve the secret his
conduct was vacillatng and irresolute. AS
| soon as it found voice his courage and strength
were renewed. His pluck has been tested in
| some notable instances. He faced sursing null
| titudes of hostile Englishmen in the mother
| country in the days of the Rebellion. He is
not likelv to quail before corps of lawyers in
a Brooklyn court. 1t will be thrilling spec
tacle though. All other parts of the trial will
be tame and Insignificant compared with this
When he leaves the stand the case will have