Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-03
The Real Bone of Contention. I"

Mr. Beecher has passed the ordeal of
trial by jury, in which all the evidence that
could be obtained was introduced. From this
evidence candid, unpreiudiced men formed
their opinions as to Mr. Beecher's guilt or
innocence. The verdict of the jury had lit.
tie weight in establishing the minds Of the
people. The advisory council" has per-
formed kind of farce, as usual, and accom-
plsbed nothing of any consequence.
Now what is the cause of this incessant
warfare upon Beecher? Why does Bowen
at this late day, come out with his startling
assertions 2 Why have not those men who
have had iudubitable evidence of Beecher's
guilt in their hands for a long time, produced
it ere this, and thus have done their duty as
Christians and patriots
The answer to these questions is simply
this. The real "bone Of contention" is not
Mr. Beecher's alleged adultery. This is only
the fulcrum over which to use the lever of
inquisition aud diabolism. Mr. Beecher
is the pioneer in the liberal school Of theol.
ogy. Ministers of the old school have
preached against him. Religious papers of
the old school have condemned him and his
theology as rotten and unsafe. Laymen of
the old school have regarded him as a wolf
in sleeps clothing.
They have all predicted the down fall of
him and his followers, either in this world
or the world to come. Theodore Titon was
sharp enough to foresee the esormous weight
Of prejudice that would inevitably be allied
with his lies TO aid in crushing Mr. Beecher
whenever he might promulgate his villanious
plot.
Men and women have been educated to be.
lieve that such doctrine as Mr. Beecher's, if
entertained, would lead to ruin and perdi-
ton. Hence we find in this case in which
impartial and candid men see no probability
Of Mr. Beecher's guilt, but on the other hand
abundant evidence of a diabOlical plot, that
this great army Of prejudice with its pre-.
conceived notions Of Mr. Bsecher aud herce
incapable of rendering a fair and unbiased
judgment, was all prepared to support base
plot in order to strengthen its position of
prejudice and dislike. This class of people
have been and still are the greater part of
the support behind Tilton, Moulton and
Bowen, to uphold them in their 6endish
attacks of envy, malice and pride.
Another class, which rather in6on sistently
clasp hands with the former, would hail
with delight the downfall of great man 10
the Christian church from a mere diaboliCal
desire to see the cause of Christ and Of truth
suffer shame and confusion.
Thus we see the forces at war against
Mr. Beecher. They are lending their aid to
keep before the public subject which spreads
pollution broadcast with every issue Of the
popular press. For the sake of humanity
ADD the cause of truth every man and woman
who respects fairness and decency ought to
lend their support to the suppression of this
hideous fgment Of a debaSed mind.
1t is time to give this warfare a
new name. 1t is no more than just
to raise the true colOrs and proclaim war be-
tween conservatism and liberalism in religion.
Letall parties be generous and take a fair field
and there is no fear but that truth will win
the day. To uphold, either wilfully or un-
Willingly through prejudice, band of vii.
lAins who have cOnspirod to ruin an innocent
man is sin amounting to a crime.