Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-02-05
THE BEECHER SCANDAL.
BOWen'S Rtpy 10 MIR. Whites
Letter.
HE BELIEVES HEECiIEls
GUILTY.
Summoned TO Appear before The Church
Committee.


encc aad it has been more than intimgted, here
end elsewhere, that by this grieyious silence
have actually uttered malicious SANDER; that by
this persistent silence do actually try 10 make all
the world believe II at Beeo her is guilty.
"GeLtiemen OF Il examining committee, once
prom-ed 10 keep silent, and Others i)ned with
me in that solemn compact. That agreement ha.
h en- coolly aud say deliberately bi oxen, rot by
me but 10y Henry " ard Beechel, and win appar
eut inert 10 jurc me. Just here permit to
deny most cmpha,i"ally that | never sought TO
give the impiess on IN any way to make the
pubic believe as charged by Mr., White, that
ever knew anything whatever against the moral
character of Henry Ward Beecher. Whatever
Iuay have been the facts in regard - my know-
edge, convictions CT opinions on that subject, ]
have hitherto sought to keep them locked within
my own breast, and except in taking private adj
wee aud council, defy ). '. White. or any other
member of Plymouth church, TO prove the contra
~. But why do you ask me to break the 81
lences Why summon INC TO the point Do you
think that can u.e palmer language Than that
much abused lady, member OF this church, whose
awful charges against the pastor have stunned all
CHI stendom. l think ii such language as his re-
manned undecided, no other voice, though
should rise from the dead to speak. would
reach your ears. Mr.. White SAYS: There is
100 macy in Plymouth church at one end or the
other
'He does not sta that at one end of the church
stands man openly charged with adultery, per-
jury and by pocrisy, and at the other end
charged with the more grievous of silence. lie
ono chorged with I'M. awfII c,;me of adultery but
tn d,a,1 h. fore Won hat man Who hv hi. silance
has actually led tae people TO believe he did
know something about Mr.. Beecner.' such
dence OF justice, impartIahty, brothcry love and
cro,ior was LONG 400 tolI that n was the 60
cret intention of Plymon,h church 10 destroy mr.
if possible, and that | in any event to be
driven from its communion. could not then be-
leye this but il now appears that others had bet
ter information than myself For more than
wear na.t II has been evident To me and other,
that RI = sfrons threat wsnid sooner or LATER hn
mt into execution. But how was this to be done
The following tells the whole story: From that
law To This | have been wickedly and rnaljgnantly
as.ailea in nv business AFFAIR." All sorts of mis-;
le,neanors and crimes have hcep CHARGED or hint
ed at and have been held M to the world as
man totally unworthy Of either respect or public
ronfdrrce Every one Of these charges or in
.innstions | now rrononuce totally false. their
authors slaudorers. anil hereby challenge Ply
mouth church to arpont It's own committee TO IN
ye,tipate openly and vigorously nv words and
nv deeds Either in or on, of the church
from the day Of nv birth 10 the present hour, !
an, ready far the trial
II q, me here recall one fact. One bright sunny
afternoon daring the trial between Theodore TIL
ton aul Henry Ward Beecher, was waited upon
by one Of the leading members Of Plymouth
church aad most earnestly urged 10 come forward
IL
lieve Mr.. Beecher and end the controversy. l
wa. told that II | would do this the arms OF Ply
mouth church would be thrown about me, and
that by so doing would be the greatest man al
most 10 the country. Nv instant reply was that
There was not power enough, wealth enough or
reverence enough in Plymouth church or Brook
lvn to induce me even TO consider the matter
moment. That remark ended the interview.
cannot help remembering, however how easily
BY simply soiling my own conscience and telling
DAD, - aud ,lv
as one of the most worthy members of Plymouth
church.
81 do not propose now 10 give in detail the facts
which have come to INV knowledge or the Incl
dents, disclosures and confidential commuuca-
tions which have from time to time have been
presented or communicated to me in regard to the
character of Henry Ward Beecher; to his dishon-
orable conduct in business affairs; to his treach-
erous treatment of friends; to his breaking of the
written covenants to his untruthful statements in
court; to his lodging al through the investiga.
tons into his conduct and character to his stolid
indifference when an unjust charge and malicious
SANDER had been made against particular mem
Der Of his church; to his recent contradictory ut
ierances in regard to what he characterized as a
hodge podge council composed of wolves and
! foxes like Drs. Storrs and Buddineton, which
council at one time he said he had never positively
| objected TO-
"Bnt in rcoard To this on another occasion he
| did no.;tvely say II won't have ANYTHING IN do
y;,b !, ond fna,Iv n, Ma coarse ohrisa and s)an
derons chsrges Of ner;nrv uttered holly and nub
Iiclv in his own lecture room against a honest
| christian woman who had dared as she alleged to
sneak the trnth concerning him. With this brief
| reference 10 matters which have had an Influence
| in f,rmino my i,,jyment win now hasten 10
teIl Won frankly what are nv conclusions in regard
to The character Of the nastor Of Plymouth church
| have known Mr. Beecber ouite intimately since
| Tho dav Of lis arrival in Rrooklvn. have been
| acouainted with him socially and privately in
the chnrch and in The family in business m alter.
. and in RELIGIONS matters have heard attentive
| lv bnt with n,ofound Grief what has been said TO
mo confaen,ially aUainst him. 7 have felt nv
heart stirred 10 II. Dennis for dear friends who
| vears hefore tho nresen, scandal WINS npblishaa
ssorryfnlv BEGGED nv counsel a< thew assured me
.ha, ,hn;,r na.,or on5 m;ne bod craf,;iv hatraycd
.a sanc,;,v of ,beir bome TIE verv harge long
| r,or ,raso;ntea "a me- h,. Theodore ,r;lton in re
- y, ~ oa,, homo
81 rsva, oan or viii be bsse enongb N allow a
s;poIe name to he hrnited before the world al
,bnnyb an now ready n testify 10 the essential
facts before any proper tribunal. These doctrines
iJo w" hn nv w u, ma tb.t H. Reacbar ros
49, FL r;.nn. bar,o 'ooa r,~oh
XIV. - Ie sn3 e. NJ Raacbar IN
tts' uII s ri ha a ,;,h ,t. aIno1asnt
WY ona udp,r,aj ond nonlarod oro s n,hbshed
| ltAu "u" 0ie"N al" WV "'' PN''',