New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-24

Theodore Tilton against Henry Ward Beecher, MIR.
Beach finished his summing up for the plaintiff.
Mr. Abbott of defendants counsel presented num-
Der of requests to charge and application was made
to reopen the case the part of the plaintiff to Leu
in newly discovered evidence. Judge Nelson d.
rocted the application to be made to the Judge sit
ting in Chambers Beside Judge Nelson on the
bench sat Gen. II. W. Slocum, the Rev. DR.. Carpen-
ter of San Francisco, Cal, and John ID. Bergen.
Among the audience were the Hon. Adolph Duma-
liant. Col. A. c. Davis W. S. Andrews, Alderman
whitney. Lawrence d. Herman, the Rev. Thomas j.
Brown of Utica DR.. George X Smith, the hon. John
II. BENJAMIN of Charleston. and others.
FINISHING THE ARGUMENT FOR MR.. TILTON.
At no time in the whole history Of the scandal suit
was more interest manifested than during the pro-
ceedings of Yesterday. The courtroom was crowded
almost to sufocaton by the great number OF persons
who managed to pass the scrutiny OF the officers on
duty at the entrances
There were some spirited scenes in court and some
laughable episodes also When Mr.. Sherman dis
scented from Mr. Beachs statement as to the laughter
and applause excited by one of Mr.. Beechers SER
mons, Mr.. Beach replied in matter of fact way,
s'Oh YES YOU were there and the loudest clap
Der in the congregation" At another time quota
ton from Hartford Journal supposed to have been
referred to by Mr.. Beach, provoked Mr.. Shearmans
wrath and he inveghed in FATHERS strong terms
against permitting such citation as an
authority. Mr.. Beach retorted In cool manner
and for several minutes the counsel stood less than
foot apart in very vehement discussion. The ab-
surdity of the seemed TO strike all present. ana
caused much merrment, in which Mr.. Beach joined.
During the scene woman in the courtroom inter
jcoted the remark: "He ought to be" Just at
this point, when she had succeeded in drawing at
tenton to herself, she was silenced by one OF the
court officers.
Great opposition was made on the part of the de-
fendant's counsel to the course adopted by MI
Beach in reading selections from sermons by Mr..
Beecher which had not been put in evidence, ana
the assertion was made that Mr. Beach had not read
the selections correctly. Mr.. Beach himself voun-
tarily corrected one of the statements he had
attributed to Mr. Beecher in inviting non-communi-
cants of his church to share in the Lords Supper
Judge Nelson ruled that the counsel could read
the selections but not as evidence They were to be
used merely an argument or as illustrations Inc
counsel for the defendant finally content with
having exception noted in their favor as 10 the
reading of each of the selections.
The audience were in rather exctable mood yes
terday, and gave way to manifestations OF applause
very frequently in spite of the numerous ln]uncions
of the Court Mr.. Beach's manner OF speaking dur
ing the day was very effective His changes OF voice.
gesture and tone were frequent and impressive, and
his own manifestations of sympathy were Marked
especially when speaking of the associations clus
tered around the trial and the character OF the de-
PENDANT.
On concluding his argument, Mr.. Beach was
ffanr rvQrT lu
congratulated by Mr. Evarts. Mr.. and Mrs. Beecher
were present during the day, both listening with in
terest to the efforts of the orator The speakers
references to Mr. Beechers pulpit utterances caused
n smile to fit across the defendants countenance on
several occasions.
Mr. Beach in resuming his argument continued his
discussion of Mr.. Beechers alleged want of ortho-
doxy in belief Extracts were read from sermon
ON the Lords Supper, in which the idea was ad-
yanced that man could administer the sacrament TO
himself This, in the speakers opinion, deprives
it of all its holy and sacramental character and in
fIuencen and sis a dissertation of that sacrament"
Concerning Mr.. Beecher's belief and that OF his
church Mr. Beach thought it sufficient to say that
"Oliver johnson with all his moods and lenses OF
belief is vet considered satisfactory communicate
of Plymouth Church"
Mr. Beechers expressed opinion OF the miracles
was then considered. According to the view of the
orator. Mr.. Beecher had cast discredit on their
probabty and he asked "Why not strike out the
Lords PRAYER the Sermon on the Mount the Trans
fguration and the Apocalypse on Patmos, as well as
the miracles p Again, he thought that MIR. Beecher
had some singular notions about future life that
he had put a purgatory " betw cen the death-bed
and the bosom of the Father; )" and that he had
substantially abolished hell" Another point
taken up was Mr. Beecher's alleged declaration in
regard to the Saybrook platform as being pro-
duction Immortality infamous"
The defendants alleged leaning toward darwin
ism and disregard for rich and orthodox churches"
as well as the QUAINT and extravagant expressions
In his sermons were also touched upon. After re-
capitulating Mr. Beecher's alleged departures from
orthodoxy Mr.. Beach said it was mistake to sup
pose that he had rected these instances for the pur-
pose Of misrepresenting Mr. Beechers character, OF
of scandalizng his motives of operating on pub
lie sentiment to Mr.. Beechers detriment. He COM
bated the doctrine that Mr.. Beecher was too
great and too good to sim" Looking at the tenden-
cies of Mr. Beechers thought and sentiment consid-
ering the impulses of his nature, is he deserving Of
the high encomiums he has receivedp asked the
speaker.
Mr. Beecher's continuance in the performance of
his arduous duties during the perpexies of the past
three wears was declared 10 be due to his excellent
organization of mind, heart, and body, which cna-
bled him TO do his work when less strong would
have failed He was to be judged as other men are
by the judgment of the practical worldly common
sense ON the circumstances of the case and the ele
ments of his character.
The counsel then glanced hastily over the main
features of the case arguing the mpossbilty of the
defendants theory.
Mr. Beach then dwelt upon the course of Mr..
Tracy, whom he severely condemned for his alleged
improprieties both as counsel and as of honor