The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-08
Ia the Nod'rato,' If TIE IrcSIyteTy

Fast IIun"r,r:
Rev. and Dear Sir.--lol are hereby no
filled that ] Shall complain TO the General
Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States 1t it approaching meet
iEg against the action OF the PrcShytery Of
East Hanover III the case OF my brother.
The Rcv. DR.. l.. I. Baird, whereby lie was
dcposed ir"m the ministry and suspended
from the communion II the Church.
shall complain for the following reasons
First The said action was conSummatcd
with an unsccmly prcclpitancy and haste
wholly unhccomng the character OF q Court
OF the Lord Jesus Christ, the gravity OF the
occasion, and the extreme severity Of the
Judgment passed.
Second. The action was unconstitutional,
null. and void, because OF the lrregularltv
OF the whole proceedings, and especially
because, in violation OF the rlainest and most
express provisions OF the constitution. the
PrcSbytery within the period Of one day
sessions entered charges agalnstmy brother,
appointed committee TO prosecute them
and another to act for the defence, and pro-
Cccdcd 10 try the case, rnactlng thus, IN
turn. the parts Of prosecutor, defendant,
and court. and passed judgment and sen-
fence, inilictiu" the most frlShtIul penalty
within their lowers: and this in the alb
scnrr Of the accused and without the pre-
tcnc. OF citation, or an intimation to him OF
the process about 10 be had.
Third The rreteXt under which all this
was done a"gravates the wrong. In the
confidence OF implicit and loving trust and
The security OF conscious Innocence, my
brother made 4 communication to the Pres
hytcrv. in which he narrated the facts, de-
cared the innocence OF his intentions, and
placed himself in the hands OF his brethren.
They reject the confidence, impeach the
paper, and make a case outside OF 1t, and
then avail themselves OF the simplicity with
which he had placed himself in their power
10 strip him Of all the defences OF the con-
stitution, that they may tue more promptly
and easily accomplish his utter destruction
Fourth The offence charged was OF such
a character that the moral turpitudc Of the
facts was very much dependent upon the
presence Of u criminal intention, proof of
which was therefore essential to the case.
Yet no such intention was charged in the
indictment; and in the final minute OF the
court the question is expressly waved.
whilst the sererest punishment is Inflicted.
Fifth. The sentence is excessive in its Sc
verify, being the highest censnre which it
was possible for the court to inilict, and
only iustitiablc upon the supposition that
conclusive proof had been produced OF
utter and hopeless dcprarlty and crime. IL
bears unmistakabc evidence OF being the
product OF passion and prejudice, and not
Of the mature, calm, and deliberate iudg-
ment which should characterize a court
where prcsdes the holy Ghost.
Sixth. In L word, the Judgment was con-
trary TO the constitution Of the Church, in
iurions to the interests Of religion, calcll-
lated TO degrade the character OF those who
pronounced it. and inflicts an atrocious
wrong on one who, il he has grievously
erred in one thing, has, by long life OF
toll and self-sacrl1cc in the service OF Christ,
and OF updoubted integrity and purity OF
character, entitled himself TO a charity OF
Judgment which is the direct reverse Of
what he has received, and a leniency to
which the measure actually meted out
stands in broad and shocking contrast.
carry my complaint directly to the Cen
era Assembly for the following reasons:
FIRST. The official relations which my
brother sustained to the Assembly, and the
cohtrol which that body alone possesses
over the books and papers OF the Committee
OF Iubllcatlon, in which the whole case is
involved, renders it the only proper party
10 make that exhaustive investigation which
is essential to justice. The action Of the
Presbytery, il not designed, was none the
less calculated TO forestall the action Of that
body and shield other responsible parties at
my brothers expense.
Second. Because the wrong done my
brother is SO grieyous and involves results
SO portentous as to demand the promptest
relief. The delay involved in awaiting THE
meeting OF the Synod may bc fatal.
Third. Because the investigation which
must he mad by the Assembly into all the
questions involved cannot be complete or
satisfactory unless the case OF my brother
is at the same time fully In the hands OF
that body.
Ill which Is respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL j. BAIRD.
Louisville, Ky., May 3, 1877.