New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-10
THE VERDICT OF THE CHURCH COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Beach then began his argument for Mr..


Mr.. Beach then began his argument for Mr..
Tilton as follows:
MAY 1T PLEASE Your HoNoR-At last, gentlemen,
Theodore Tlton the opportunity Of vndication In
court Of law. 1t is the first opportunity Envroned with
difficulties and beaten upon by tempest OF cilumny
and reprOach unparalleled In severity and in effect pur
sued by the power Of whom the genius Of Samuel
Wkeson has discovered to be the greatest man on all the
Garth, aided by the organized persecution OF great
church. Theodore TtOn was bounded to his ruin. The
only judgment passed upon his case the only hear
ing ever given 1t, before tribunal selected from
Plymouth Church by this defendant, with great care,
with great perception, with great regard to the
qualities and the relations OF those judges; and
before them the cause Of Theodore Titon was
tried and he condemned. And it was imagined
that that condemnation would be the permanent &C
qutal of Henry Ward Beecher 1t was supposed that
q private tribunal thus constituted OF the friends OF the
accused instructed and guided throughout all its deb-
eraons by the counsel Of the aecused-t was supposed
that that Judgment would be decisive and permanent
But every one saw that Theodore TtOn was deprived OF
hearing before that Investigating Committee, his evil
dence shut out the testimony OF important witnesses
evaded those known to have the most material ana IN
innate acquaintance with the merits OF that controversy
unsummoned, hasty and snap judgment pronounced
in of this character and between men like Henry
Ward Beecher and Theodore Tilton
1t is not wonderful that public judgment was unsats
fed; 1t not surprising that the public clanor de-
manded more thorough and complete investigation OF
this most unfortunate transacton and the result has
been. gentlemen this trial and in my judgment the
great and important question upon this trial is whether
the system of influence and denunciatOn and clamor
which for q year has invested this case, is to in
trude itself with upon the deliberations Of
court and o jury. The question Is whether
here, in this what is called the temple OF justice, In
the presence Of that pure spirit OF right and equity
which is supposed to prevail in this presence-thc ques
ton whether here the organized power OF plymouth
Church, aided by the ingenuity and the eloquence OF
COUNSEL is to that sense of fair play and equity
which is the spirit of administration OF the law II
this cause is to be won gentlemen bold assertion and
clamorous appeal and by confident and insulting
predictions, l yield the palm TO my learned adver-
saries If the judgments OF this jury are to be
controlled by stream of invectve and yitupcration.
by repetition Of scandalous and dishonor-
ing epthets repeated until they have panied the ear and
sureted the TASTE neither hope care to inu
ence your deliberations. suppose that speak to men
properly estimating the prerogavcs and responsibilities
Of their position Believe me, gentlemen this power OF
Judgment Is great and responsible power. To-day you
hold in your CONTROL my friends upon the other Side
saw the dcstines Of the greatest preacher In all the
world To-day you hold in your hands the destiny ana
the reputation of this plaintiffs and more than that you
hold in your hands the power of indicating the witnesses
produced upon this witness stand consignng them to
imperishable dishonor and infamy 1t is great power
and whence do you derive Not by any natural right
OF Judgment What enables you to say to Theodore Ill
ton to Francis Moulton TO Mrs. Mouton, You are per-
iurers" TO the two first "YOu are aduterers and In
famous You have place In court OF justice Al
though no man in this broad community has impeached
your character for integrity and veracy although you
stand among the most reputable and honored OF this
community yet by verdict you shall be secuted from
this courtroom branded with judgment Of infamy1"
A fearful responsibility to such power.