The Leavenworth weekly times., 1875-02-04

The Beecher trial, so far as its accessories
look very much like hollow msckery, if
not very silly farce. The public, after
having been dosed for over year with
Exposures" OF all sorts, letters of all sorts,
afidavits of all sorts, and statements and
cClnter-statements from interested and dis
interested parties, entertained the hope
be taken into the courts that at last the
exact truth would be disclosed, and the
guilt or innocence of Mr.. Beecher would be
definitely established and forever settled.
People had grown so weary of the case and
its proftless and, in some cases, harmful
discussion, and the public morals were suf-
fering SO much from its indelicate details
which wormed their way into every house.
aold and left their impure tracks, that they
looked forward 20 the trial, in which all ru-
mors and "they saws" would be cut of, with
a sigh of relief.
But now that The case has come TO trial,
what prospect is there that the jury will
bring in an impartial and unbiased verdict?
Mr.. Tilton is fighting his case alone and
single-handed in the court, as he fought it
out of the court. That same powerful
church organization of Brooklyn Heights,
which during the last year turned the whole
New York press against him, and sought
TO os,racise him morally and socially, has
followed him into the court and inferposes
itself between him and justice, 40 far as it
can, without bringing itself into contempt.
Mrs. Tilton, whose presence in the court
room during this trial is a matter Of ex-
treme indelicacy and bad taste, is brought
in daily for effect, and is shown off to the
best possible advantage by the Plymouth
Church managers. 1t is only a little re-
markable that none of them have suggested
that she present herself to the jury in the
attitude 30 vividiy described by Mr.. Beech
er himself, with folded hands and closed
ewes, "like some forms carved in mafble
had seen upon monuments in Europe"
Daily Mrs. Beecher rushes forward and
embraces Mrs. .Tilton-for effect. Plymouth
Church occupies the whole court floor-for
effect, smiles at the sallies Of Beecher's
counsel, turns up its eyes in holy horror at
the points made by Mr.. Tlton's counsel,
shoots glances of defiance at Mr.. Tilton.
regards the jury in a patronizing manner.
receives Mr.. Beecher in its Friday-evening
prayermeesing style, and loads his table
with bouquets. Mr.. Beecher himself, for
effect, pays no attention TO the proceedings,
but spends his time in reading good books,
and after adjournment seeks to hob-nob with
Mr.. Tilton's counsel, and delivers himseH of
certain pleasantries and Jokes to show the
jury he is not in "a cave of gloom" When
Mr.. Beecher and his counsel depart, Ply
mouth Church makes . rush to see them
of and give them triumphant exit of
cheers.
All this may be . very good stroke of
policy for Mr.. Beecher and his counsel, but
it amounts to an attempt 10 influence the
jury. and should be treated as q Contempt of
the court. II shows that Plymouth Church
is determined to force verdict, and q YER
dict obtained under such circumstances will
settle none Of the merits of this case. Mr..
Beecher may be acquitted by the out.ide
pressure brough; TO bear by Plymouth
Church, but such an acquittai viii leave
him in the public estimation prec;selv
where he was before the trial commenced
A decent regard for public opinion and for
the proprieties Of this trial should have in
duced him to establish his innocence in
such . manner that no appeal could be-
taken from it. Unseemly merriment brow
beating Of Mr.. Tlton, and influencing of
the jury By force of numbers and social in
fueDce, will not clear up his reputation.
The people OF this country want to believe
Mr.. Beecher innocent and to see this terri
be scandal removed from the church and
society, but Mr.. Beecher has commenced in
. very cunous way to accomplish this much
esired result.-Ckito9o 1ribsae