New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-25
TIE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
TIE PRIVATE SESSIONS


| DIR. BELL URGES THE PASSAGE OF IFS RFsoY rr,o,,.
ASSERTING MR.. BEECHER's NN0cEScE-ux !.
QUESTIONED IN REGARD TO GIVING NYoRN..
TGOy TO REPoRTERs-DEBATE ON TIE REpop,
OF THE COMMITTEE or NINE
The opening of the private session Of tbo
Council was delayed yesterday morning 10 oso,k
In order To give the Committee OF Nine opportunitv "a
prepare Its report Tie first half hour usual WA IA
voted to praise and prayer Gen Ba OF lino. toos
tho chair aud Dr. Lyman Abbott, Chairman the Busl
Commit read report the propriety OF admit,
ting two delegates from Kansas church. which wa.
without pastor when the letternissyc was received
but sent delegates 10 the Council Tue COMMITTEES d.,
ciled that the ettermssive asked clergyman and
layman from each church, ayman could not properly
represent clergyman on the roll. but owing to the
appeal OF the second delegate he admitted
to representation
Dr. Bells resolutions, expressing the confidence OF tina
Council In the moral character and Innocence Henry
Ward Beeoher. which offered the second day Of
the Ope sessions referred ut that time to the Bus
Committee. The Committee reported that the reso
utons, together with ether communications the saus
subject, foreign 10 the spirit OF tho letter
and out OF order. DR.. Bell was allowed 10 state his
Offering the resolutions and for urging their
pertinency. lie said: All nations had their kngs TIC
king Of America public opinion. lie wanted the men
who formed this COuncil-sId they included judges gen
mold the mind of the kng-pubic opinion II the Coun-
oil pussed these resolutions he thought they would
have n great influence on the public mind, aud
the current OF opinion to tend more
in the right direction. He called upon the Council 70 DO
brave. mad been whispered tina; cerymen In
The Council were doubtful II their churches would ADJ
prove vote in favor Of the resolutions lie thought they
should the whole responsibility OF their opinion,
and declare them boldly lie had Id 70 think from
Mr.. Beecher himself. and from Mr. Beechers nearest
friends, that they would be glad 10 have the Council
express its honest convictions to his guilt innocence
bravely and openly Mr. BeOcher had suffered from
mid friends than from his bterest enemies Dr. Bell
said he mad taken pains to convince himself Of Mr.
Beechers innocence and the Council by its voice
and votes In the secret session had virtually
declared itself convinced Of ais innocence
He thought the outside world should formally
receive notice Of tho feeling and conviction Of
the Council He wanted to deliver Mr. Bcecher from
the intense suffering which he hal endured for the past
three years and more, and he thought n the Council
stood by him the doubling and the wayerng and tho
mid would also turn to tho side Of innocence. Tho
other motives subordinate to the great question
embodied in bis resolutions II the Council neglected To
settle the point tho world would not 30 satisfied aud
would say tho Council had spent two weels In osek,
ling" There was public opinion which reigned king
la the Council and which said hi resolutions out
Of order because they not in the letterssye He
sorry the Council could not work independently Of
such spirit. aud wanted Mr. Beecher and the
world 10 know chat the Council had pondercd and
weighed and stood by him. lie had agreed with the
Chairman OF the Business Committee TO withdraw tbs
resolutions rather than have single vote east against
Them ami in Withdrawing them he hoped TO every
member OF the Council waiyo tie point Of order. and
demand their passage unanimously.
DIR. BILL CALLED TO ACCOUNT.
pr II. NJ Storrs. after tho applause following DR. Bells
speech hal subsidized said he had understood that Dr..
Bell had furnishing the reporters with from
lay 20 day. and hoped the Council would give him
0pportun ty to defend his action.
Dr. Bell. nothing abashed at boing singled out as
leay vessel" expire his gratitude 10 DR. S0rrs for
an opportunity to explain what he thought was do
fusbe practice for he objected 10 being under the ban
of suspicion lie sa no we'll aware Of what be was
doing. He had had experience with secret sessions
aud secret societies. Masonic secular. and religious aud
while thoro were things which it would be Get
bd faith TO disclose to the world outside, there we're
other things which could be spoken without njnr.ng an
bo,y. He claimed tho Intelligence to discern what might
be tOld and what might not. He recognized the power
OF the newspapers OF America and preferred 10 have
them get things right. He had each day furnished
idea of the general scope OF the Councils proceedings,
but had revealed nothing personal sacred.
DR.. Bells explanation was wei recelN cd. and inasmuch
there TO be little more opportunity FOR leaking
information the subject was dropped.
Pres!den, Porter announced that the Fna Committee
Nno had finished it, report far FIVE Of the ques
concerned, and lad II b. fore the Council The
comments this part OF the report very harmo-
Il ous. aud made 10y Inany prouinent members Of
ne Council. IL sustained throughout the disciplinary
Isiges OF Plymouth Church. and adopted with few
verbal alterations.
Dfs, Us~IoN Al THE AFTERNOON SESSION
The Afternoon session OF longer duration than
The art Of the report OF the Con-.
ilttco of Nine referring TO the sixth Question. in
NOlt.ng the subject of further investigation
aw IkeHed short discussion many taking tie ground
hat further investigate, unca led for. The views
of the Sixth Committee expressed in iis ll report Of
Wednesday, substantially adopted. and The Com
itee of Nine. between the afternoon and evening ses
SONS. perfected it, report in accordance with tie nal
views Of the Council which suggested few verbal
alterations.