The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-11

ougnE TO be very economical Of kissing and
writing love letters to other mems wives.
The Evangelist admits that while the disagree
ment of the jury does not legally settle the
case it does so practically, and the legal pre-
sumption in the present status of the case is
that Mr.. Beecher is innocent of the charge
upon which he has been tried The moral
presumption in his favor will be proportional
to the reputation for integrity and morality
which ne has maintained through ministry
Of more than thirty years The tedious trial
has not been altogether proftless There has
been much rending of tinselled philosophy
and specious but spurious reform The
loneliness of modern MADAME Roland's"
saloon, with Its reunion of choice spirits,
does not bear close inspection, and some
wild dreamers will be cured of their fancies,
and the old-fashioned laws of integrity and
pure morals and the code of Sinai will re-
assert authority the stronger because OF this
trial. The Observer deeply regrets the result
of the trial. The scandal was so grievous
that all good men hoped the truth would be
made manifest by the searching investigation
of those long, dreary, dreadful months OF
trial. The Observer hopes and thinks that the
truth may still be evolved by the trials that
are yet TO grow ont of this one The Metho-
dist Is disposed to believe that the large pre-
ponderance of the people are in favor of Mr..
Beecher's innocence; and yet IN unsatisfed
desire remains to know the truth but this de-
sire cannot be gratified. If Mr.. Beecher is
innocent he must live the thing down, and if
he is guilty the truth will in time be manifest
unto oil men. If he were not q minister the
inconclusive trial would practically acquit
him; but he now remains under suspicion.
The Hebreao Leader refers to the case
to correct proposition by DR..
Deems, made last Sunday, that the
trial has not hurt religion or morality. Tho
Leader says that, seeing Christianity exhorts
men TO holy life, it cannot be held that the
immortality of its professors can either make
or mar it's claims and evidences. But in the
interest of tho morals of youth it pro-
tests against the proposition that this loath-
some scandal, discussed by boys and girls at
the breakfast table and on the street, has not
injured them. The Freemdn's Journal is wild
because this Plymouth cesspool was allowed
to be emptied into Brooklyn court during six
MONTHS when it ought to have been limited
to six days. 1t has no pity for Tilton, who
was ''the cognizant and consenting agent of
his own dishonor;" nor for Mr.. Beecher, who
islands self-confessed a libertine, per-
jurer, lufoon, hypocrite" There is
much more of this style of vitu-
peration, not only against Mr.. Beecher,
but against his church and friends. The
Workcing Church, while it does not credit the
main accusation, thinks that there can be
no question that Mr. Beecher has largely
destroyed his influence by his own admitted
conduct, while Mr.. Tilton, his accuser, has
brought himself into general and measureless
contempt. The editor thinks that the moral
hazards of concealment have been abundantly
and painfully illustrated in this case. and ex-
travagance of expression and lack of decent
reserve have been productive of infinite mis-
chief in the case OF all Immediately concerned
in the issue.
And thus the opinion of the press, like that
of the public and of the jury. is divided.
While they do or would like to acqut Mr..
Beecher of guilt of the main charge they
declare that guilt has not been proved on one
side nor innocence on the other. So that the
clergyman remains practically where he was
under suspicion.