Connecticut western news., 1876-02-18
BOwen-Beecher.

AEe we never 10 see the cnQ or the beecn- CT conflict? It appears to be irrepressible. It comes up in every shape that scandal can work itself into. It was said that Bow en, of the Independent and the tri-partite treaty, knew something monstrous of Beecher's conduct. But be did not appear against Beecher in the great public trial, except as 8 rebutting witness, in which po- sition he could not give evidence except as to what had already been given. It was whispered, as scandal often whispers, that there was scandal about Beecher and Bow ems wife. But it has been authoriratiVely denied that there was any truth in the sto- rS and it appears to be settled that there was nothing wrong between those parties. The wife died. Then it was whispered that old MT. Bowen courted lady, and that she disclosed something wicked about Beecher. and that tue love match was con sequently broken off. We do not believe in this whispered scandal, but on it seems to hang the stories connecting Bowen's knowledge with Beecher's wickedness. F nally, Bowen appeared in letter express ing his belief that Beecher was guilty of perjury, adultery and hypocrisy. Plymouth church asked him,to come right up before their committee with his proofs. They wanted facts not opinions which are as thick as blackberries in August. He came, but wouldn't submit his proofs to the com mittee..; but. proposed to lay them before Lafayette s. Foster of Norwich, Congress man Seeley of Massachusetts, Dr. Woolsey, or any three of half dozen names he sug- gested. Bowen read papor to the com mittee, in which he said: .......
 hesitate. to characterize as it seems to me to deserve the position of a court which before beginning it's trial assumes my guilt and decides against me. ~.
 But the committee did not propose to try Bowen on this occasion. They informed him of what they wanted, through Mir. I'll ney, who said: saFs Zt&5.u=
 Mir. Bowen, we have called on you to- night to testify in regard to facts known to you on which you have made charges against Mir. Beecher, and we are now ready to hear you. s ... --.t
 But MT. Bowen declined to present his facts. He intimated that he desired a lon ger time, at least ten days-and the tele- graph informs us to day that the church committee will allow him that length of time to collate and prepare his facts; for it ia facts that are now wanted, MT. Bowen, not old stale notions and opinions that have fho r. says he has already testified that he never would be base enough to allow single name (connected with the scandaD to be bruited before the world Questions might be asked that would bring these identical names before the public. 'To this, says Bowen, I cannot consent, whatever may be the consequences to me personally. But he proposes to give evidence before com mittee of three outside, who Shall be pledged to keep all such evidence sacred. Alter hearing his testimony, the committee, we suppose, are to report their opinions, but are not to permit any of the facts to come to light. This is an extraordinary proposition. It is not the way trials, civil or ecclesiastical, are conducted; and we do not blame the church for rejecting the propositlon. A trial in secret-the evidence to be kept secret foreYer-this is not in ac- cordance with justice, or the spirit of our institutions or Congregational rules and reg ulations. It would be an unsatisfactory trial to the public, as well as to MT. Beech CT and his congregations, who could know nothing of the facts presented or the sur rounding circumstances attending them. If Bowen has evidence eliminating Beecher, ln the name of fairness and justice, let him give 1t frankly, now that Beecher and bis friends ask for it. If he cannot give it in an ordinary and fair way, then let him re- main silent, for his own credit, if nothing more. Of his private and social and sweet heart grievances the public care nothing so long as he declines to make them a part of of the evidence which Plymouth church demands, and to which it is entitled in the manner and form that control testimony when pastors and churches are on trial.- Hartford TSmes. rr r.-