The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-14
DEFENDING JOHN NJ sTEARNs.
The Rev. Mr.. CuyIer's WARM Words for n
Friend, and n GIrI he Mespects.

Tho Rev. Theodore l.. Cuycr is q rcprc-
sentative member OF the National Tcmpernnco
Society. OF which William H. Dodge il Presi-
dent, and he is we'll acquainted with It's Secre-
tnry, John N Stcarns, and also with Miss Eliza
beth Penney. Mr. Stcarns's private secretary.
He WIS led to speak yesterday OF tho charges Of
alleged immoral conduct preferred against Mr..
Stcarns by Librarian w. w. Sikwutth Of tho
Grccnroint Presbyterian Church Of which Mr..
Siearns is mombcr. After IN examination
into these charges an agreement WIS signed 10y
the Church Committee md MIR. Stcarns. that as
he had signifcd his intention 10 sever all con
nrction with the church. mono OF the docu-
mcnis. papers. or letters offered as proof Of tho
charges should bo male public. and in
addition, that the Committee would defend
the moral character OF Mr.. stcurns to
the best Of their ability. II IL also alleged that
there was u verbal understanding that Mr..
Siearns. should quit BrcQklyn, Mr.. Stcarns re-.
signed his church membership on the ground
Of i'll health. and aitcrward procured n three
| months leave Of absence rs Secretary Of the
/ temperance society on salary. having obtained
: a certificate from DR.. Willard Parker that tho
/ stnte of his health nccessitntcd rest from all
/ labor He sailed for Florida on Dee o. On
/ saturday last the agreement above spoken OF
WINS published in u BROOKLYN newspaper. EN-
! Judge Chaunccy Perry with whom Mr.. Stearns
consulted nlout the charges, SAYS he believes II
! u lis clients Intention to demand an investiga-
/ ton when he returns from the South Mr..
! Cuyler sp2ke warmly and energetcally yester-
ri have told members OF tho Grccnpoint
] church that the reaction upon the men rcspon-
sihe for. this affair will be- terrible when i
I comes. As to MIR. Stearns. | know him we'll
, He is a man Incapable OF such conduct ns he II
! uccuscd Of He Is accustomed to use uNpres-
| sions that sound strange, and which to those
who do not know him may require eNplana-
ton. IL II natural that an elderly man. thrown
SO much into the compau onship OF a young
| girl. should have "a fath"rly affection and re-
| gard for her which would often find EXPRESS Ion
| in his uttprnupp and in his letters II IN
that he went TO Floridn, hut he has gone ther,
every year for three years. He s IN very haa
health. II is impossible that he can be- guilty
! Tho National Temperance Society has appoint
ed a COMMITTEES To- Investigate the case. and II
| will be- sited To the bottom.
But there is another aspect Of the case. Tn,
accusation against Mr.. Stcarns ia bad enough
fensc. call the making of such an accusation
against so purc-f lindcd and lovely girl ~
Lizzie Penney. and then making her name pub
lic larharous. You may say ~ az strongly a
you uease aud sev that | said IL. | consider
lrndish No word Is too strong. have know
Lizzie for twelve years. Sne comes of n goo.
and pure mi'ded family. No one could lool
upon ..vr and think her capable OF immortality
Shc Is of a nature that Ia rcpugnant to IL. Sh
il n frank. outs pokcn, intelligent girl tina
hnows how To regulate her conduct. All Of u
Who have lrequenied Mr.; Stearns's ofil'e hay
e. me about IL lately.
"' or course sho said. this is shocking &
@Gi but ! h0'' the newspapers ~0n''se' A0l
" | don't know how the agreement came to b
punhshcl. ~ present u seems as u there wa
, an intention 70 try the case In the newspaucr'
, | would myselfprefcr a sidewalk trial. mca
with q cowhidc. IL seems e. me that IL | were
persuaded 10 try the case on Tie Sidewalk
Those who have done this thing have commit
! te, ilvndish barbarity. | hope THE Sun Wi
take this view OF 1t and stand by deicncrlcs
a | girl There are at present many noble girl
WHO are earning their living and their lndC
| pcndence with their pens. and every one OF u
I | ought 90 do all we can 10 encourage them
q agree entirely with Mr. William L. Dodge th'
/ IL IA Nnt m ftI had uffH ms
= woman. is well as an efficient and yaluabl
clerk"