Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1876-02-18
THE ISSUE MADE UP.

The dispute between Bowen and
Bsecher has reached well defined issue.
Bowen says Beecher is an "sdulterer.
perjursr and hypocrite. Beecher re-
plies that Bowen is Q "slanderer and q
liar" So there is no room for mistake
in their positions. Bowen has offered
to submit his accusations to arbitrators
to be chosen from o list. which he
submits, Of well known and highly es-
teemed gentleman. This proposition,
which seems fair enough. has been
declined by Plymouth Church, the mem.
bers Of which propose to be witness es,
judge and jury in their own cause. This
may seem just and reasonable to Ply
mouth Church, but to any one else,
looks the height OF prssumptuous folly.
As regards the testimony Of nine-tenths
Of the Plymouth Church congregation,
concerning the guilt or innocence Of
their idol. IL would not be worth the
paper upor which il was written. There
fore the attempt to assume the duties Of
tribunal before which thor pastor is
arraigned, would be alike, vain and
foolish. Their conclusion would be
foregone. They would save their idol,
at any expense Of perjury and injustice.
No matter who might be ruined or suffer
justly or unjustly, OF all hazards and
against all corners, Bescher must be up.
held. This may do for Plymouth and
the foolish fanatics who form the bulk Of
its members, but It will not do for the
outside world those who live with
cat the charmed circle OF the Brooklyn
Church. Beecher must stand or fall by
other means than the judgment OF tri-
bunal pledged to declare his innocence
at any cost. The latter is a cool. hard
heatsd man. who in spite Of the persuas.
ion. cajoling and threatening Of both
Tilton's and Beechers friends has taken
his own way and acted upon his own
views. Whatever may have been the
reasons for his obstinate and guarded
silence, for him they were sufficient.
They were not only sufficient in his
mind, but they controlled his conduct
and restrained his tongue until the at
tack made upon him by Mr.. White.
That was apparently the straw
that broke the camel's back Bowen at
once threw aside his reticence and
declared before Plymouth Church
and tho world the guilt Of the great
preacher. In taking this course. Bowen
must feel that he is fully justified, or
that In any event, he can satisfactorily
substantiate his assertions. He knew the
penalty Of his plain speaking. He knew
that 1t would draw upon him hatred
and enemity ola community which like
all religious organizations. experience
and exhibit those feelings with venom
Gus intensity. compared to which the
poison Of Q rattlesnake is as harmless as
milk porridge. Knowing all this Bowen
chose calmly and deliberately to charge
Beecher with those terrible crimes.
Such an oct by such man carries with
itimmsnse significance. II shows conf
dencs in himself and the testimony he
would be at once called upon to produce.
II shows that he is willing to submit his
proofs to the scrutiny Of intelligent and
impartial judges. Another significant
fact is, that Plymouth Church refuses to
abide by the arbitrament OF an impartial
tribunal, but wants Bowen to accept the
Examination Committee of the church as
arbitrators. That shows their weak ness,
distrust and begotted ingrained folly, in
thinking that any determination they
might reach would be accepted by the
world as just or conclusive.