New-York tribune., 1879-03-25
INCIDENTS OF THE SESSION.

INCIDENTS OF THE SESSION.
THE DEFENDANT AND HIS COUNsEI-sALIENT POINTS
or THE DEBATES--MR. TALMAGL'S EMPHAIIc
UTTERANCES.
Persons interested in the trial began to gather in
the Second Presbyterian Church nearly an hour be-
! fore the proceedings were opened. The pews adj
Joining the central aisle were reserved for the mems
bers of the Presbytery, who were rather slow in
taking their seats The remainder of the church,
with the galleries and the Sunday-schooi
room was thrown open TO the public. Tho
seats and aisles were rapidly filed with an
audience in which clergymen formed a large
minority. Many persons, including ladies' stood in
the asles and about the doors throughout the pro-
ceedings and during the most exciting debates
number of those occupying seats rose 10 their feet,
and some even stood up on the seats in order TO
catch every word that was uttered. The interest
throughout was intense. and applause at times
! broke ont spontaneously, and was Tepre,sed with
difficulty
OF the persons Immediately connected with tho
proceedings the Rev. Dr. Samuel I. Spear, Mr..
Talmage's principal counsel was the first TO enter
He was accompanied by Major b. Il. Corwin,
prominent member of the Tabernacle Soon after
came the members of the Prosecuting Committee,
the Rev Arthur Crosby and the Rev. Archibald
McCulagh. The Rev. Benjamin /. Millard, assO-
ciatc counsel for the accused clergyman, followed
with large scrap-book. Mr. Talmagc came
in quietly and took a seat at the table
set apart for his counsel, at the left
of the platform. The Prosecuting COM
mlttee occupied table at the nght. In the pew
Immediately behind this sat the Rev Drs. Van
Dyke, Cuyler and Rockwell. In the front scat on
the left were Mrs. Talmage, who watched the pro-
ceedings with keen interest; United States Districts
Attorney A. W. Tenney who defended the sut re-
ahorp hkro II
| tee Gelston, and Mrs. Tenney. The Rev. +. L.
Ingersol of the Middle Reformed Church, Brooklyn,
sat with the Presbytcry, and among the other
clereymen present were noticed the following:
| William Hayes Ward, c. S. Robinson, L. T..
Thwng, J. d. Kerr, J. Hyatt Smith, A. b. Sanford.
| Z. d. Murphy, George S. Chambers, Richard r.
| Field, Albert S. Graves Joseph Pullman W. p.
Estes, Nevin WOodslde j. S. Evans, of Newark
Mr. Nightingale, of Babylon, l.. l.; B. NJ. Adams Of
! Westchester; Mr.. Young. of Long Branch o. A.
KIngsbury. w. w. Page, William Malon, of Natal;
Francis Chandler, of Freehold, " j., and Benjamin
| Eshoo, Persia.
Mr. Talmage responded to his name on the calling
of the roll in deep, almost cultural, tone. When
| the moderator announced that they had met as
Judges of court of Jesus Christ, and inquired, Is
the accused present." Mr.. Talmage responded by
rising. The next question was How does the
accused pleadp and every one looked anxiously
for the answer This time DR.. Spear rose hastily.
After announcing that he had consented to act as
counsel at the peril of his health, he presented
the defendants answer to the charges. which
was read by Mr.. Mllard. The answer denies that
Mr. Talmage is guilty of falsehoOd and deceit, and
declares that the Presbytery has no jurisdiction to
try HIM on the first second and iOlTth specItica-
tOns. Objections are made to other specifications,
and the proceedings are pronounced grave mis-
Al. .ho In Inc;
the defendant demands fair and impartial trial.
The instant that Mr.. Millard finished reading,
DR.. Spear began to read q written speech upon
motion to Quash the first, second and fourth
specifications lie had not proceeded far when no
was interrupted by Mr. McCullagh, who inquired
with great eamestncss: " Can an accused party
ask that an indictment against him be quashed ~
The absurdity of the question caused n burst
of laughter throughout the church, anu Mr. McCul-
lagh in considerable confusion, withdrew tho
question. The first applause of the day was called
forth by Dr. Spears emphatic assertion that his
motion ought 10 be heard. The moderator decided
TO hear it, Mr.. McCulIagh promptly appealed, and
the appeal was announced to be lost. Dr. Van Dyke
called for a division of the house and attempted to
sneak hut the moderator refused to hear him.
When the standing vote on the appeal was callcf
for. Messrs Crosby and McCulagh arose. " Counsel
can't vote" said DIR. Spear. " would like 10 see
the chapter and verse that SAYS so exclaimed Dr.
Van Dyke. DR.. Ludlow decided that they could
not vote, whcreupon Mr. Crosby appealed from this
decision. This increased the confusion and the
moderator said, I'VE getting rather mixed"
After some argument, however, Mr.. Crosby With
drew his appeal.
The first appeal was then lost by standing
vote and Dr. Spear resumed his argument on the
ouashing Of the specifications His speech bristled
Iva dol n
chile and emphatic manner. The second count in
the Indictment he sad was surely not drawn by o
lawyer for there Kent or Blackstone in il,
and there was absolutely no Presbyteranism in il.
He argued that these specifications were not only
ruled out by the limitation of time, bat they were
also open to other objections. In replying TO DR..
Spears Speech Mr.. Crosby said that if the limita-
ton of time was allowed man would not be amen
able 10 discipline if he told only one lie year.
"Why. them" he said i" he could tell forty-seven
in the course of his life" pointing significantly to
Mr. Talmage, who is forty-seven years old.
| The moderator decided 10 grant the motion To
strike out the specifications complained Of In his
opinion he stated that an accused person could de-
mand an investigation extending further back than
one year, but such an investigation would be made
by "a committee, and would not be of judicial ma
ture. Mr. Talmage arose TO his feet before Dr. ld-
low ceased speaking His face was pale and his lips
| were tightly shut. He turned for moment TO con-
suit with his counsel. and Mr. Crosby attempted 10
gain the floor, but the moderator would not recog-
fize him. For a moment Mr.: TGlmage stood with
| his arms folded and his eyes dOwncast. HIS man.
ner in speaking strikingly reminded one
| of his demeanor IN the pulpit. and
| bis utterances were marked by the same
| yehemence and the same striking pauses
| which are familiar 70 all who have
| listened to his preaching. He glad. he sald,
that ecclesiastical law was on his side, but ia the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ he demanded an in
yestigaton all the specifications. There had been
| an attempt TO assassinato his character, aud
| all he cared for was to find out who