Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-06-23
WHAT WILL BE TIE EFFECT
or DJgd REE1fENTY

WHAT VIII BE TIE EFFECT
or DiSA GREE4MENTg
Such is the question propoundcd by
the editor Of the New York ,Sua in the
celebrated Tilton- Beechcr case;
At last we begin to see the end of
the great trial which for nigh, upon
half year has furnished reading for
the public that has had even greater
intensity and continuity Of interest,
than the most exciting serial novel
with hero in deadly peril at the end
of every chapter.
Against the hopes, perhaps, OF some,
against the expectations Of almost oy-
erybody, the case approaches its con
clusion with plaintiff and defendant,
jury and lawyers, all alive and well to
participate in the dcnouement of the
drama. There is occasion for devout
thankfulness on the part Of the public
that this is so. II the case had broken
down tor any cause other than its own
weakness, the damage to truth and
the delay in the unravelling of the
scandal would have been lamentable.
The question of the guilt or innocence
of Beecher is one that has got to be
settled. Religion and morality dc
mand it, and e9srything that is best in
the community is outraged by doubt
or by suspicion strong as that which
darkens the character of the Plymouth
pastor, and which as yet is neither
changed into absolute conviction nor
scattered by indisputabie proof that il
is groundless.
The case has been managed by
Beeoher's lawyers with the aid Of all
that money could command. As Mr..
Beach said the other day, Mr. Evarts
did not need TO invoke the hundred
eyes of Argus, for he had them, nor
the gold Of Midas, for that had already
been scattered with lavish hand
Beocher has lacked nothing for his de-
fence, unless it was innocence, and
that question is what is on trial. His
defence, the best that he has to present,
is before the public and the jury. No
evidence in his favor of any account
has been shut out, unless, indeed, Mrs
Tilton's and he did not dare to avail
himself of that when il was offered
him.
Now, with u defence thus exhaustive
Of his case, his only chance of oven
temporary escape is full verdict in
his favor \ divided jury will be al
most the same as verdict against
him. 1t will compel him TO step down
and out, not so instantly, perhaps, but
not less certainly than a verdict for
Tilton. Vindication for him that is
not complete is no vindicaton at all,
1t is a condemnation hardly less eilec.
tive than that which a verdict for the
plaintiff would IMPLY and actually cx-
: press.
1t is well that this is so. A Chris.
tian preacher, who stands before men
, as the appointed messenger of the Cos
, pei Of truth and purity, and especially
I one like Bcecher, whose only real au.
thority to preach is his personal char
, aeter, forieits his right to proclaim the
) lessons of the gospel if he is covered
r with the stains Of sin imputed, and
= which his utmost efforts have not beer
able TO wash away IIowsoever clio
! qucnt, it is better tor religion that hi,
, voice should forever remain silent thar
that the world should associate the
pure and undefiled faith, by who's,
(, ideals men are enjoined to regulat,
! their lives aud fashion their souls witt
l the uncleanncss and the stain whcl
e even the suspicion Of adultery ant
! perjury must impose.
? Mr. Bcccher may say that he mus
continue 10 preach, that he may there
: by appear as u constant witness to hi
. innocence. Religion says that no
= only no unclean hands must ministe
5 at her altars, but also no hands sus
G pected of uncleanness. If Beecher i
: guiltess he well might give the who'll
G remainder Of his life, though he reach
4 ed a hundred years, to the undividct
+ task of exploding the charges agains
Q him after jury has failed to relieve
J., him of the imputation. But mean
{ time he should not essay to preacl
T. the gospel which cnjoins upon men 4
= avoid not only evil, but the appear
c ance Of evil
If the jury disagree, his case, in n,
! event hopeful, will be absolutely hope
b less, and his doom as certain as In
d falling of the stone which the laws q
n gravity bring to the ground.