Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-03
MIR. BEECHER EyONERATED.
A CERTIFICATE FROM THE con.
GREGATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
BROOKLYN AND NEW YORK.
HIS INNOCENCE CLEARLY AND tNDE-
NfABLY PROVEN.
The scandal MOngers" Must Vow Re,
main silent.

New YORK. November 2. The following dec.
ument is considered the end Of the Beechcr i'm
broglio
To the Editor of the Tribune
Sir-l am directed by the ConPI o.. go w.,
ciaion of New York and Biouh "a 90 .o. a.. 1.
you, for the public, report OF its action concern
ing tie Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, at its semi.
annual meeting, the attendance of which was un-
usually large, held on Wednesday, Nov. |, in
Tompkns avenue Congregational church, at
Brooklyn.
The committee appointed in April, 1876, to CO.
/ operate IN bringing evidence before the commits
sion provided for by the advisory council, called
by Plymouth in the case of Mr. Beecher, reported
that they met Immediately on appointment and
prepared an appeal to all persons claiming or sup
posed TO have any information or testimony against
Mr.. Beecher not already produced IN the civil
court; urging them, in the name of the associs-
ton, at once to make such information, known
to the committee, and Offering them, as far as
possible, all assistance they might need in bring
ing it properly before said commission for trial.
his appeal was at once published, in full or in
part, in several newspapers in New York and
Brooklyn, and with some editorial comment, and
1t was also probably copied extensively by the
press at large. Cypes were also sent to those
persons reported or publicly supposed to have any
information or the subject hostile to Mr. Beecher.
Having thus done all that lay in their power, in
the line of their appointment, TO show the earnest
desire OF this association TO secure the most thor
ough, impartial and conclusive trial of an accused
member, the committee had only this to report
that up to that day, and after more than six
months opportunity TO speak, and after the most
! urgent anG public entreaty that everyone would
| speak, who had any thing 10 say against him, no
one had seen fit to respond; no one had underts-
ken to make, either before the association or be-
fore the commission the slightest responsible
| charge against the moral character of the Rev
! Henry Ward Beccher.
| The report Of the committee concluded as fol-
lows:
"llow long We as a committee, shall stand
waiting for some responsible accuser to appear,
or whether reason Justice and CHRISTIAN charity
all demand an early determination of this inquest
and a final declaIa of confidence in Mr..
Beecher, as a brother honored aud beloved, we
leave to the united wisdom of this association to
deci le."
Their report the association adopted, and then
unanimously passed the following preamble and
resolution
Whereas, this association, at its annual meet
ing in April, 1876, appointed committee to CO.
operate with the commission created by the ad-
visory council to investigate the case of the Rev
| Henry Ward Beecher, and
I Whereas, The association, in view of their ap.
pointment resolved that if those who claim to
have evidence or to be able to substaniate charges
against Mr.. Beecher, shall knowingly fail or re-
fuse to make use of this or any other means 10
bring such charges or evidence before that com
mission of investigation, this association, in the
absence of further light, must hold itself there
fore amply justified in utterly condemning those
charges, allegations, insinuations and rumors as
false and slanderous, and in defending Mr.. Beech
er as a worthy, honored and beloved member of
their body, and
Whereas, The preceding report of said com.
mlttee indicate that there is substantial ground
for believing in the guilt of Mr. Beecher.
"Be it therefore resolved, That we do therefore
as an association, regard our brother as worthy of
our confidence and love, and express to him our
sympathy in the severe trial through which he has
passed.
CYRUS HAMLIN, Registrar.
Brooklyn, Nov. |, 1876.